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[en] The English RPG Forum => RPG Library => Thema gestartet von: Walküre am 27. Aug 2016, 01:41

Titel: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 27. Aug 2016, 01:41
The first meeting of the White Council is recorded in T.A. 2463. Galadriel established the White Council in the first place and wanted to appoint Gandalf as the chief of the council; a position that was later granted to Saruman.

Elrond has summoned Galadriel, Gandalf and Saruman in Rivendell; Erestor and Glorfindel are present at the Lord of Imladris' court (with the main role as Elrond's advisers). Everything starts with the characters arriving at the gates of Imladris and greeting each other. It's night, and the entrance to that sacred shelter is illuminated by torches and Elven lamps. The sentinels were always on guard, even if, at that time, evil seemed so unlikely to ever return in Middle-earth.

Elrond: VectorMaximus
Galadriel: DieWalküre
Gandalf: Fine
Saruman: The_Necromancer0
Erestor: kolibri8
Glorfindel
Círdan

(http://www.projectorreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/hd131xe_hobbit_rivendell.jpg)


Fine: added Erestor (kolibri8) and Círdan
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Fine am 27. Aug 2016, 01:48
As he drew near the gate of Imladris, Gandalf reined his horse.  He felt a sense of belonging, even though the Grey Pilgrim did not call any place in Middle-earth his home. The Hidden Valley had always made him feel welcome, no matter if he brought ill or happy news.
The Wizard leapt off his steed and sent it on its way towards the stables, trusting the animal to find the way on its own since it was an elf-mount from Rivendell itself, borrowed from Elrond a few months ago. His staff by his side he entered the central courtyard through the main gate, exchanging welcoming glances with many Elves he recognized from earlier visits. In the distance, he could see other council members awaiting him. Gandalf sped up his pace and made his way towards them.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: VectorMaximus am 27. Aug 2016, 03:25
"Elrond!" A voice drifted into the study of Elrond as he continued with his writings. He looked up at the sound, not expecting anyone to be coming to meet him at this point, though he would have to get ready for the council later. As the door opened a crack, he spotted before he entered Glorfindel, who was quick to pull up a chair and sit down.

He raised a single eyebrow at his captain. "Yes Glorfindel, what is it?" he commanded, even as his attention returned to his work. A recent trade agreement with several local mannish towns that were unofficially under the protection of Imladris had unfortunately fallen through, with the men demanding elvish weaponry and techniques instead of the medicine that they usually traded excess food and basic materials for. While Imladris was self-sufficient, the philosophy of the Imladhrim was that since they were already protecting the men, they might as well attempt to build up their stores of supplies while they were at it, and the men also were very keen to have elven medicines readily available. However, the new mannish leader's arrogant and headstrong attitude had been very off-putting to Erestor, who had for the longest time been the elves main trade negotiator. However, Erestor had sworn off working with this man, and so the duty had fallen to him.

"Elrond, Mithrandir has arrived." Glorfindel continued casually. This caused him to raise his head back up.

"I was under the impression that he would be several more hours from the reports of the outer sentinels." He said, even as he began to pick up the papers and stack them neatly, realizing in silent despair that he would have to come back and finish them later. With the other council members already arrived, and himself being the host, he could not postpone the meeting to finish up with the trade counter offer.

"Indeed, the last sightings did indicate that, but he made great speed for the last leg of his journey. Last I saw before I came to retrieve you was him sending the horse to the stables and heading to meet up with the rest of the council." Glorfindel had busied himself with putting away Elrond's writing utensils.

"So be it." Elrond began, "It would appear as though the meeting can now begin. Are all the preparations ready? Food, drink?" Finally with all his supplies put away, he set his circlet straight (as it was croocked slightly from many hours of sitting behind his desk in various positions) and straigtened his robes one more time before turning to leave the room, setting off at a sedate pace.

"All is made ready, My Lord" Glorfindel said, moving to fall into step behind Elrond's shoulder. A small smirk crossed his face. Elrond slowed and made to turn around, his mind assimilating his captain's word. However, Glorfindel after many years knew well the mind of the Elf-Lord, and interjected with a good humored tone before he could begin. "Do not worry, this time I made sure that the Númenórean wine was untouched. Your stockpile will not be disturbed" Elrond merely glanced over his shoulder and gave him a look, before sighing the sigh of a elf that had suffered this humor many times before, even as he began opening the door at the end of the hall.

"Well then, come Glorfindel!" He said over his shoulder as he made his way out of the main house and into the fresh air of the late evening. "Let us not keep them waiting overly long"
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 27. Aug 2016, 04:18
Galadriel eventually got through the gates upon her white horse, as she was escorted by valiant guards from Caras Galadhon. With great admiration of the ones that had never seen her with their own eyes, the Noldorin Princess surpassed every of their expectations in beauty and majesty. As she was getting closer, her legendary appearance began to be more and more visible to all: clothed wholly in white, her complexion was endowed with an eternal brightness and her hair with a pervasive radiance. The wisest knew that they were beholding a lost remnant of the mythical past that was; older than them, older than most of the ancient tales and even older than the very Moon that enlightened that night.

Gone past the entrance, she then turned towards her guards. ''You now may suspend your watchful vigilance, for no peril is to be found within this sacred valley. Rest from all the daunting tasks you were appointed and from the long journey faced.''

Her voice was crystalline as diamonds yet of noble authority. With a warming smile, she got off her mount. She could now clearly perceive the benevolent will of the mighty ones that were summoned by Elrond.

It is said that Elves' memories will remain undimmed until the existence of Arda itself. Centuries of peace and delightful calmness among the timeless woods of Lórien had never made the reminiscences of the Lady less clear in her own inviolable mind. There, in fact, the Evil that was has always had its own reserved space and forever will do so. ''The Wise do have the bounden duty to watch over the fate of the gentle ones of Middle-earth, and if other past and present Elven Lords have elected the way of isolation, we definitely won't.'' This she had once told her husband in one of their frequent debates in regards of these prominent matters. Having been invited to such meeting will certainly serve her sincere purposes very well; it's also very long time since she last spoke to her beloved niece.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: The_Necromancer0 am 27. Aug 2016, 08:38
It was accompanied by his guards, that Saruman entered Imladris on the back of a grey steed. As he passed through many turned to look. While appearing calm in body, his mind was cursing that need for travel. While he and his guards were dismounting they witnessed the entrance of the Elf-Queen Galadriel, her beauty was so great that even the mind of the Skillful One did not remain unmoved by it. He watched her as she ordered her guards away, ever impressed by the grace that every single of her movement bore. He turned to his own guards and said:

"Go rest, I have no longer need of you at the moment." His orders were concise but there were no traces of any respect for his troops. They would serve him till death and then be forgotten. It is not even know if they serve him willingly or if their minds had simply been taken over.

Saruman had not come willingly to this meeting, had it been its decision there would have been no council to begin with. His primary concern was to be able to consult once more the mighty Library of Imladris, many questions were troubling his mind and he had decided that the meeting would have to wait. Walking slowly towards the library he continued to reflect on the state of his little "project" but put the thought aside quickly to avoid it being discovered, for the powers of certain Elves were too great in his opinion. Instead he passed the time of his trip by tinkering with a new device he had thought of on the way, one that would allow him to travel without the need to ride a horse. At the turn of a corridor he stumbled on Erestor going to the meeting place, and therefore in the other direction. Fearing that his intentions would be discovered, he preferred to abandon his goal for now in hopes that he might find what he needs later

"Greetings, Erestor." He said, feigning to be lost. "It must be by chance that I have met you, I have been wandering for quite a while now in this place but I seem unable to find the meeting place. Would you be so kind as to lead me there?" His words were sweet but no less powerful, it looked like his research would have to wait. Hopefully the meeting will be over quickly, and he could return to his task.

After walking up numerous stair and going through many buildings they finally arrived to a beautiful open place, that overlooked the forest and was fitted with chairs and a table on which lay many good things. Grabbing a glass of wine he made his way to the head of the table and, using his powers to keep his staff vertical, sat down and waited for the other members.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Fine am 27. Aug 2016, 09:05
Seeing the head of his order arrive, Gandalf made a gesture of respect towards Saruman, bowing his head. His attention was soon turned towards the arrival of Galadriel, Lady of Lothlórien, and Elrond, their host, who was entering shortly afterwards.

"It is good to see all of you, my friends," he declared, with a smile. He was glad that Galadriel had called this meeting of the Wise, feeling certain that they could accomplish many great things if they worked together. Gandalf was eager to hear of their ideas on the matter.

Taking a seat across the table from Saruman, he recalled the main reason why this meeting was taking place. The Watchful Peace had ended with the return of a dark presence to Dol Guldur, the ancient stronghold at Amon Lanc in the Greenwood, and war was brewing in the south and east. Gandalf had travelled many leagues in the last three years, gathering news from the realms of Men, Elves and Dwarves alike, without ever staying in one place for too long. He had many questions and only few answers.

While he was glad that Saruman had indeed joined the meeting, he was sort of disappointed to find out that, apparently, no other member of the Order of the Istarí had been able to come. He had not heard from either of the Ithryn Luin for many years, while Radagast the Brown was last seen near the borders of the Greenwood, enthralled by the creatures of Yavanna that dwelt there. The mission given to him by the High Ones of Arda, the Aratar, was still in Gandalf's mind, even though he was no longer named Olorín in this Middle-earth but went by many names, Gandalf being one of the more common ones. Seeing Saruman the Wise take part in this council emboldened his resolve, but left him with a slightly sad thought that the two Wizards that were present were the only two ones who had not abandoned their cause yet.

Shaking off the distracting line of thoughts, he focussed on the High Elves that now filled the council's plateau. Indeed, only the wisest and fairest had come, but Gandalf was confident that this first meeting of the Council of the Wise would be a great success and a boon to the future of the world.

Since the Grey Pilgrim was neither the host nor the leader of the council, he patiently waited for someone to officially open the meeting while filling his glass with the wine offered by the Imladhrim.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 27. Aug 2016, 15:51
''Your praises are always of the purest benevolence, gentle Erestor. May I ask you now if you could accompany me to the agreed place of the meeting. As you know, there are matters that request our decisive response. I imagine we will have plenty of free time to indulge in cordial greetings; isn't this visit supposed to involve a few days? I'm nonetheless intended to linger here a bit longer than the other guests' intentions. May I also say that you have my sincere gratitude for having arranged your Lord's invitation so well. The messengers of Imladris are now safely resting within the borders of my holy realm. Pleasant news from heralds are always welcome, even though I have my own preferred way to communicate with the Guardian of this blissful valley.''

With a little smirk on her face, she then proceeded to follow the wise librarian to the indicated location. Erestor knew what she had just referred to, and, hoping that the Lady of Light would perceive it, he allowed his mind to immerse itself into profound admiration for the last (in the mortal world, at least) of a once legendary royal kin.

On the way to the summit, Galadriel briefly reminisces the encounter she and her escort made with a group of Elven pilgrims (who were heading to the Grey Havens), before arriving in Rivendell.

''Do I worry? Yes, I always do, for a watchful peace is nonetheless one of great concern and doubts. Not even the wisest could tell clearly what the width of Middle-earth hides in all its shades; and they would certainly make flawed considerations if they did so. It's my resolution to firmly remain in these mortal shores, whose decaying nature strangely fascinates me, until the fate of our immortal kind will finally be unveiled. Don't hesitate, and continue to stick to your defined path with serenity: you shall soon leave the heavy burdens of these lands and eventually reach places in which nothing withers due to the inevitable flow of time. Don't mind me. More than seven long millennia have passed since my arrival and dreadful sorrows I had to withstand as well; I won't let uncertainty divert me from my purposes. Go now, and may your journey not be faltered by any approaching threatening cloud.''

All the pilgrims then bowed to her and some even knelt, naming her the Queen of all the Eldar dwelling in the grey continent. They had now renewed their faith in what would have awaited them and in whom would have had the duty to face the future to come in Middle-earth (the feeble yet brave Men, in particular). They then resumed their slow procession and disappeared in the vastness of a near forest.

(http://media.tumblr.com/7f90b2885adb15a675872192c6a967a8/tumblr_inline_mhrrby0HAL1qz4rgp.png)

Galadriel reaches the meeting and the other guests.

They were all awaiting in their seats the host to show up. As soon as she got closer, all the guests saluted her and exchanged relieved looks among each other, given that they were to know that the presence of Galadriel was always a guarantee of justness and sound principles. She didn't speak to anyone, but her eyes were on every of them with intense interest, as she was contemplating their minds. The Grey Pilgrim greeted her from the opposite side of the marble-made round table they were sat around. The Lady replied with one of her typical enigmatic gazes; enigmatic to all but the ones who they were directed to. Gandalf smiled of genuine happiness and stared her too, as if he were answering back in ways not manifest to the others. Saruman seemed quite unmoved by her arrival; she would never try to pierce the mental barriers of the Istar and perceive his indecipherable thoughts anyway. But she knew that deep respect was between them, and if the White Wizard were to be mesmerised by something, he wouldn't display his feelings openly.

Elrond would have soon appeared and officially started the meeting. Addressing all the White Council concerning matters of primary importance.



Participants of the White Council: Elrond, Glorfindel, Erestor, Galadriel, Gandalf, Saruman, Círdan, noble Elven lords from Lindon and a herald of Thranduil.

Topic: The state of Middle-earth, threats of war in the South and recent shadows awakening in the vast woods of the East.
Titel: The Council Begins: Friends from Afar, Allies of Old
Beitrag von: VectorMaximus am 28. Aug 2016, 01:56
(http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/lotr/images/5/53/THEHOBBITANUNEXPECTEDJOURNEY_WARNERBROS_PHOTO47.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20121203002805)

Elrond and Glrofindel swiftly made their way up the stair to the council rotunda, Imladris burning with the light of the setting sun. Elrond walked with a heavy heart. Over an age ago, another such council as this had granted him Lordship of Imladris along with Vilya, burdens both he still bore. And never was Vilya so heavy as on days such as this, when council was taken among the wise, for such council was only taken at utmost need. How dearly he desired to be back in his study, or with his wife and children in the Hall of Fire. Much as the sun was setting over his home, he feared that the council would confirm that peace was setting on Middle-Earth once more.

As they approached the top of the stairs, the sentinel at the top stood at attention.

"My Lord Elrond, Lord Glorfindel" the sentinel intoned as he gave a small salute to the Lord of Rivendell.

"Leave us Aluran" Elrond commanded "Take up watch at the bottom of the stairwell and we shall call upon you once you are required again." While Elrond trusted all the inhabitants of Rivendell, this council was need-to-know only. Aluran gave him a short nod before brushing past him and Glorfindel down the stairs.

As they entered, Glorfindel and him took up respective spots in the council rotunda; himself taking the seat closest to the entry while Glorfindel opted to stand near one of the columns on the outer edges, gazing out upon the valley.

Elrond took in the council assembled before him with a deep breath. To the left of him sat Cirdan, whom he gave a short nod to, which the aged elf returned in kind. To his right sat Mithrandir, who after greeting him upon his entrance was now nursing a glass of wine.

Across from him sat Saruman, who met his gaze levelly with a slight incline of his head. The white Istari was not one inclined to shows of emotion nor rash action, but there was respect between him and Elrond, born of their comradery as seekers of knowledge.

To Saruman's left sat a Sindar Elf, a herald of King Thranduil. This was perhaps the most worrying part of the council. While the Sindar in general had no great love of the Noldor, Thranduil had always come in person to speak and take council with him in the past. Sending a herald instead of coming himself lended heavy credence to the rumors of ill tidings in the Greenwood.

Feeling a sensation of greeting and warm affection washing over him, he turned to the person on Saruman's right side. Galadriel, his mother in law, gave him a small smile, which he returned, sending a wave of warmth and welcome over the mental link. Her smile grew a slight bit wider.

On Galadriel's right was Erestor, and the council was rounded out with 2 members of the council of Lindon. While Elrond himself was nominal head of the Noldor in Middle-Earth and the final authority (due to his status as Gil-Galad's vice-regent and de-facto heir to the High-Kingship), the council, headed by Cirdan, was charged with overseeing Lindon in day-to-day affairs. It was composed of several Elven Lords and very well respected elves from throughout Lindon.

Seeing the whole council gathered, he took a small breath as he rose from his seat.

"Friends from lands afar, allies of old, you have been called here to discuss the grim tiding that have reached us all. Rumors have spread of the Greenwood becoming overrun by foul creatures (here, the herald gave a slight flinch, almost unnoticeable by mannish standards), an incredibly grave situation if this is true." He paused slightly here, before continuing on, staring to pace as was his want when he entered deep contemplation. "Indeed, not alone are these ill tiding. Rumors of war have come out of the south and the east. Gondor has grown weaker since the loss of the line of Kings; their enemies to the east ready for war, while to the south they are ever bit at the heel by the Corsairs. The Kingdom of Rhovanion, a close ally of both Gondor and the Kingdom of Greenwood, teeters on the brink of collapse, brought about by years of savage raids by the Balchoth. And finally the Goblins of the Misty Mountains have become far more aggressive of late."

He stopped his pacing, placing a hand on the back of his seat as he began to sit back down. "We are gathered here to share what knowledge and tiding we have, and to formulate a way to respond to these threats that even now may be growing stronger. I fear that if these rumors all prove true, it may be too late already to save this watchful peace in which we have dwelled the last 400 years."

He gazed out upon the council once more; surely all these mighty wizards and great lords could find a solution to the problems facing them? Feeling marginally more assured he finished, "I now declare this council begun and leave the floor open for any who wish to begin. What tidings do you bring? What do you know of the situation afar that others may not? Together, we will piece the picture together, and find a solution."

Here begins the record of the Second Council of the Wise, as recorded and recalled by Erestor and Elrond Peredhil, with anecdotes from Galadriel and Olorin  - Grand Archive of New Imladris, Aman, 7th Age
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: The_Necromancer0 am 28. Aug 2016, 12:10
A moment of silence fell upon the council, this news was grim indeed. This did surprise Saruman, most of this was already known to him, although he had not realized that Greenwood was also under attack. His project would have to wait till another time.

"Thank you, Lord Elrond. The news seems terrible indeed. I would like to bring some of my knowledge to the table to help this council better understand the situation. The East is unlikely the rise although they seem to show otherwise. Two wizards were sent into the East with mission to hold back this rebellion it is unlikely that they fail unless Sauron himself was to supervise the operation, you need not to worry. No attack will come from the desert. As for the globins I would worry not, they are always aggressive, it is just a matter of whether or not we notice it."

All the council was now turned towards Saruman, his words seeping through the mind of those less mighty, reassuring them. Saruman had not done this out of evil means, it was simply necessary that fear be kept out of their heads in order for a rational solution to be found. As he prepared to continue he observed each of the wise, one by one. Gandalf seemed uneasy, he was likely to say something that was going to contravene Saruman's initial analysis. Elrond seemed to listen carefully, his mind registering what was being said and linking it with what he knew. As for Galadriel, her mysterious glance could mean any number of things but Saruman knew that the White Lady of Lorien would surely bring many great things to this meeting. And so, he continued:

"Our main concern is indeed Rhovanion and Greenwood. Those two important kingdoms that cannot be allowed to fall. While the thought of these fell things crawling in the woods is frightening the main threat comes from the Wainriders, their heavy chariots have been known to be a mighty force against the Riders of Rhovanion who cannot trample them and lack an effective way to slaughter them."

With that he went silent again, he had said his mind on the matter and open a way to further the debate but he would not lead it. In his mind, many thoughts were bouncing around, possible solutions, new machines and his "project" although that was currently the least of his concerns. The machines and contraptions that were on his mind were meant to aid against the chariots but he would to return to his dwelling first to test them. For now, he must wait to see what the others have to say.



DieWalküre Small note: as this is the first meeting of the White Council in the Third Age, Saruman was not nominated yet as the head of the council; the leadership issue will be brought up later in the debate. I will edit two previous passages of this game that refer to Saruman as the chief.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Fine am 28. Aug 2016, 15:27
Rising from his chair, Gandalf picked up his staff and turned to face the council.

"Before this period of peace began, I entered Dol Guldur to learn more about the Necromancer that had taken residence there. I initially thought he might have been one of the Nine, the wraiths who had brought war to the realms of men in the years prior to my visit in the Greenwood. 'Indeed,' I said to myself, 'was it not the Captain of the Nine who had ruled the dark land of Angmar and orchestrated the doom of Arnor? And were it not the forces of the Ring-wraiths that seized Minas Ithil where Eärnur was lost?' But before I could identify the presence at Amon Lanc, it fled eastward, leaving behind nothing but an empty shell of a castle. In ages past, the people of Oropher had dwelt atop this mountain, but when I got there it had become a place of great evil. And now the darkness has returned there. Already the men and elves that live in the central and northern reaches of the Forest name it the 'Mirk-wood', and they fear what lurks beneath its trees. Radagast - Aiwendil, I mean - could surely tell us more, but he has not yet joined this council."

"It seems to me that the threat of war is greater than even Saruman the Wise senses - " he turned his eye towards the head of the Order - "for I have heard rumors of a new tribe that stirs near the Sea of Rhûn, named 'Balchôth' by the few remaining elves who inhabit nearby Dorwinion. They tell of a warlike horde of men threatening to push west and north. I share the concern about Rhovanion and Greenwood, if these rumors are found to be true. The wainriders posed a great challenge to Gondor, and with the loss of Anárion's lineage, the realm has been significantly weakened. Steward Denethor, the heir of Dior, is a wise man, but I do not know if he can deal with the threat from Minas Ithil and a possible invasion from the east at the same time."
Having spoken his mind, Gandalf sat down again, wondering what reactions this would cause.

The envoy from the Woodland Realm confirmed Gandalf's report about the growing darkness upon the Greenwood and added that Thranduil's people now dwelt only in the northernmost reaches of the forest, beyond the Mountains of the Greenwood.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 28. Aug 2016, 23:55
The Lady of Light stood silent and in great attention. She listened carefully to every word spoken since the opening of that noble assembly. But she was not ready to intervene yet, not at that initial stage, for she rather focused on divining the sincere intentions of those authoritative guests. No way would the Lady have been tempted to intrusive actions or ill-intentioned curiosity, though her mental prowess was too mighty to ever be constrained totally; any imperceptible gesture, any quick thought or any expression of worry, even from the most imperturbable one, couldn't escape her sensational skills. Her gaze was in fact moving with grace from guest to guest. Not all the participants realised to be the interest of Galadriel; but some did perceive it.

Círdan answered back with a long stare, of equal essence of those that the host of the meeting and the Elf-queen were used to exchanging between each other. He then gave her a nod and smiled. Glorfindel bowed slightly and allowed her to reach the deep immensity of his Elven memories. It eventually was the turn of Gandalf, who had just finished to address the council about his personal views. It was indeed the right time to act: while the others immersed themselves in following the friendly greetings of the representatives of Lindon, she projected her powers towards the Grey Pilgrim and conveyed to him words that no one else could have heard.

''Your pure heart speaks the truth, loyal Mithrandir. The woods are ill. An insidious venom is poisoning those lands, that, alas, lie beyond my protection. I can clearly sense it: heinous Magic.''

Long nights of doubts and alert she had spent, while her mind patrolled every corner of her safe realm and even the right shore of the Anduin. Foul beasts had always wandered throughout those wild forests, but this time many of different shapes and evil kind had been gathering nearby what was then renamed the 'Hill of Sorcery'; shadows that only Nenya was capable of fending off. The very emanations of that eerie fortress in ruin had spread in its vicinities, causing anything alive to wither and die. The obscure territories of that region were now contrasting evidently with the beauty of the Golden Wood and the hidden dwellings within it. All these memories were in Gandalf's head now, as he himself had beheld them; nothing of her thoughts resembled even remotely some haunting nightmares though, but rather a clear narration of emotions, colours, sounds and events. Set aside the alarming content of the vision, the wizard was immensely delighted to have been granted the honour of such shared experience and so remained in profound contemplation: the extraordinary sight of the Lady of Lórien moved past lands and rivers swiftly, as wild winds blow loosely over the surface of the vast waters of Arda.

At her dismay, she was proven right as she discovered that the judgement of the Woodland King ended up being clouded by fear; something that his herald's thoughts didn't manage to conceal. The attention of the head of the Istari, on the other hand, was still focused elsewhere, as if he were stuck in retrieving lost relics of the past and their inner mysteries.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: The_Necromancer0 am 1. Sep 2016, 00:19
Saruman was deep within his thoughts when he sensed the the mind of Galadriel probing his. His attention turned entirely to her, he was not pleased by this intrusion in his mind but more yet he feared what she could have decrypted the small stream of thoughts that escaped him. His fear was replaced by a mild annoyance, he had believed that his mental barriers should have served as a warning that he did not wish, nor would allow such analysis of his mind. Maybe it was time the Lady of Lorien tasted a bit of her own elvish medicine.

"You wish to know what is upon my mind? So be it, look and despair for I have seen many things."

With these words he opened the gate of his mind, although he still kept many things secret. In his mind some of the deepest fears that he had before always kept to himself, for they would have cast despair into the heart any that would have seen them. Galadriel witnessed, through the mind of Saruman which was apt in crafting of all sorts, the retaking of the Ring by Sauron. She saw him march out the Black Gate and over the Dead Marshes, and beneath his feet the ground turned to fire. She saw the White Tree of Minas Tirith burn as the gates of the city were thrown down. She witnessed as armies from the three Kindreds were assailed and fought desperate battles over their lands and for their people. Amidst all this horror she saw Lothlorien burning, the land she had kept safe all this time set aflame by dark magic.

"Now that you have seen what I fear, understand what I say. My means may appear evil but my intentions are only to preserve this land, that is my mission. I will not suffer that you enter my mind for my thoughts are danger to all that seek to understand them. What say you?"

His gaze left hers and he focused once again on the council, leaving her with this question. The meeting had kept going with the herald of Mirkwood explaining the current situation.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 1. Sep 2016, 04:23
Her reply was quick as lightning, catching the Istar almost by surprise. Now, the thoughts of the wizard were turned by her might into a single continuous stream of dazzling memories; hers.

All of a sudden, Saruman was conducted in her mind as a traveller from afar, through pride, fiery resolution, doubts, ambitions, unspeakable sorrows and ancient horror. Some kind of horror that anyone from the Third Age of Middle-earth would have deemed impossible to bear; every of those very otherworldly images would nonetheless drive every common being into outright desperation. The Lady knew perfectly, though, that the White Wizard could have witnessed that without repercussions of any sort, given his own blessed nature. His mental barriers were solid indeed, but no way was Galadriel intended to pierce them (albeit having the power to do it), lest this be interpreted as a direct harm and ultimately result in a counter-productive 'telepathic clash'. It's no doubt that he was briefly under the effect of her initiative anyway, not being able to learn anything useful for his purposes, while being briefly a passive spectator of what she thought appropriate to show him for her own purposes instead.

The rapid apparition went in reversed order and thus displayed itself from the then contemporary events to lost times in the centuries of Arda, becoming more and more evanescent as it got closer to the past. Nevertheless, any of her Elven emotions was alive as an immortal flame that never goes out, and it was them which eventually struck the head of the Istari.

The long nocturnal vigilance of Lothlórien's borders of Galadriel shifted to the founding of the Golden Wood itself and the first sowing of the colossal Mallorn Trees, until her deep apprehension as brutal wars were waged in the Second Age of the World and, before, the widespread destruction of the apocalyptic Cataclysm that had totally annihilated the legendary Númenórë (the luxuriant Land of Gift). And so, all turned obscure when he lastly beheld the ancestral conflict between Good and Evil in the Elder Days, her mourning for her sad royal kin's misfortunes, her joy in the attendance of the court of Elwë and her angel-queen Melian, the arrival in the rough shore of Beleriand and the terrible passing of the deadly Helcaraxë. Finally, her mind was about to unveil her unknown life before the Sun and the Moon (one of the secrets he always craved), but, at that point, his thoughts went blurred and that flow stopped abruptly, for there were binding restrictions on his and the other four wizards' human-shaped bodies and memories as well; limits that they could never circumvent. What they were only allowed to remember was the mission they were ordered to accomplish by the ones who rule beyond the Sea.

The Lady of Light was obviously aware of such properties of theirs and that vision of hers thus served her very well: Saruman remained in silent yet deep contemplation mixed with awe, having been reminded of whom he was interacting with and that character's true essence. Something he had always longed to know and understand completely anytime his studies (and plans) encompassed the mightiest Elf of the Third Age; the mysterious Sorceress of Dwimordene, as she was named among Men in the vicinities of Rohan. But no resentment was in her successive reply, as they both respected each other greatly and were aiming to the same end (even via substantially different means). She had always been recognised by unanimity as the real leading figure towering over the Wise, yet the Lady had never sought for any effective position of power (even less for a predominance in authority) and ever used her clout to support others in a quite detached attitude. She knew well that the destinies of Middle-earth were not to be in her hands either way.

''There is no ill will towards thee, industrious and skilled Curunír. I and my kin as a whole have always been bound to face the evil of Arda in all its forms, and even more horrible in might and propositions. I can clearly sense your heartfelt concern, but now we ought not to be uncertain in our path and in the choice this noble assembly is to make, for it will shape the whole course of this continent's fate. Our quest demands strength and effective weapons to be armed with; beware, though, of the one without staunch resolution and principles, as its path might often falter and be twisted amidst the tide''.

It would be unbelievable to think that such an exchange had taken place in so little time and quietness, with the other guests not realising it at all, if we weren't dealing with the chief of the Istari and the Lady of Lórien. She held him in considerable consideration, even though she had never really tried to convince herself that he was one of the 'decisive personalities' that the Good had been waiting for so long. Their very personal relationship was not in the best of the terms. She nonetheless hoped from the depth of her heart that nothing would have hindered their mission and that he genuinely was, as Mithrandir was used to saying, the 'formidable wise we can eventually rely on'; particularly, after she had now foreseen that the White Wizard's interest for lost forbidden artefacts would have inexorably increased in the decades to follow (though she wasn't yet sure about the overall outcome of this aspect). In redirecting her primary attention to the meeting, she found relief in the decision she had once took to avoid that the leading wizard knew the secret of the Three.

Her Elven ears had not stopped to pay attention to the development of the discussion. The ambassador of the Woodland Kingdom was in fact justifying his king's imperturbable stance on isolation from the outer affairs, mentioning the awakened shadows of Mirkwood and the consequent need of firm defence. Galadriel was aware that Thranduil, safely in his hidden halls, had grown much resentful and cold, in a forlorn wish to do without the forthcoming threats of the future to come. Events that shall determine what will be of his own people and realm too, willinglyy or unwillingly; as everyone else of the Free People would have finally been put in front of the final challenge.

As the debate went on, she felt that her time to stand up and participate was getting really closer.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: The_Necromancer0 am 1. Sep 2016, 07:42
The Elf's reply was something Saruman had no expected, he had been prepared for her to either lower her gaze or counterattack with her mental powers but what she had done he had not been ready for. For a brief moment, feeling fought in his heart a wish for revenge, awe before an impressive foe and something else, darker than both. But Saruman's mind was still pure although his desire of mastery was ever growing and therefore, faced by such as respectable foe, the Head of the Istari, the Skilled One, the White Wizard, let a smile appear upon his face, a gesture so faint only the all-seeing eyes of Galadriel were able to catch it. The Lady of Lorien had earned more respect from the Wizard than anyone ever upon this Middle-Earth. Her participation should be interesting to watch...



The_Necromancer Small note: I just double checked, since this is the first meeting, Saruman has not taken residence in Isengard yet.

DieWalküre Thank you for the clarification: I edited my post.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Fine am 1. Sep 2016, 15:24
While the envoy of the Woodland Realm was nearing the end of her report, Gandalf found himself deep in thought, while keeping up the appearance of someone who is actively listening to what was being discussed. He had heard most of the news from Thranduil's kingdom earlier when he visited the forest a few months ago. Instead, his attention shifted towards a small piece of land in the centre of Eriador that had miraculously survived the fall of Arnor: the Sûza, or Shire, the land of the halflings. Its inhabitants had grown dear to the wizard's heart, even though he could not stay for long. Indeed, it was true that he had no home, travelling far and wide between the realms of Elves, Men and Dwarves, ever striving to fight the darkness wherever it threatened the peaceful live of the Free Peoples of Middle-earth. The Secret Fire that kept him going and invigourated his spirit, the gift from Círdan, was a well-hidden treasure that only the other bearers of the Three knew about. The Rings of Air and Water bore the powers of healing, protection and renewal, but Narya was different. It gave him the strength, the energy, the willpower he needed to continue his quest, even as the world grew colder.

More than a thousand years Gandalf had journeyed across Middle-earth, sometimes alongside trusted companions, but most of the times he had been alone. That is why he was glad that the Lady of Lórien had called this meeting. Only united would they be able to face the growing darkness. Finding solace in the comfort of Galadriel, the knowledge of Saruman and the experience of Elrond and Círdan, the Grey Pilgrim searched his heart for the questions that had begun to stir within in the last few years.

"What do we make of these rising threats?" he asked as the Elf from Mirkwood returned to her seat. "Who might be causing them? Could there be a connection between the rumours of war from the South and East as well as the shadow upon the Greenwood? And what of the Nine, seizing Minas Ithil? I may be called wise by some, but I do not feel that my wisdom is enough to answer these questions. We must work together to solve this riddle."

His glance wandered from face to face, seeking answers, while attempting to maintain a guarded expression. The unspoken conversations that had been taking place since the meeting began seemed to intensify. Suddenly, Gandalf realized that he might have spoken too soon, without having heard all the reports from the council's members. Maybe there was something he had overlooked? But the urgency he felt about the matter said otherwise. He took a deep breath, waiting for any responses.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 10. Sep 2016, 19:51
'The time has finally come', she said to herself. Henceforth, the Lady waited patiently for Glorfindel to finish his detailed report concerning the Rivendell's sentinels during their usual patrol along the border; it really seemed that no one had even slightly dared to enter this sacred territory until now, apart from sporadic intrusions of solitary packs of Orcs. She then stood up and began to address the White Council and everyone's eyes were thus on her only.

''Honourable wise members of this noble assembly and dear dignitaries of the few Elven settlements still remaining in this grey Middle-earth, I'm immensely grateful to any of you for having accepted the invitation of our host, who, after one of our long and wide-ranging talks, decided to summon us here, in the safe valley of Imladris. I assume even the furthest of you have certainly noticed the grim and threatening clouds that are approaching quickly all over the World. Wars waged from the edges of the known lands, shadows growing ever bolder in what once were places of light and joy, bitter resentment spreading among once friendly kingdoms, wounds from the obscure past that start getting again painful and more visible, hideous beasts coming out from their forgotten lairs and, finally, the inexorable Time which rusts flesh, iron, wood and the very spirit of all living beings. The secret arts in our knowledge continue to ensure our firm vigilance and still secure the chance to endure amidst Arda's turbulent events. But, I fear, we might be getting closer and closer to a major turning point for the existence of all. Sadly, this I can't perceive correctly, for not even the Powers beyond the Sea could foresee exactly what is to be. We thus should discern and examine in detail the actual facts we are presented.

My attention is currently and mainly focused on the happenings taking place at the eastern borders of my guarded realm: an unknown force, whose true nature I didn't manage to identify, seems to have set shadows in motion in the near vast Mirkwood. Dark entities of different shape and fashion have gathered around the eerie ruin of Amon Lanc and are now lurking about there in a watchful wait. My sight can't pierce yet the dark defences of what has now become known as Dol Guldur, but I sense for sure that who hides behind those walls daren't head out and contest me overtly yet. Left aside uncertainty, it's plainly clear that Black Magic has already took possession of these said territories, though we still need to make sure of the measure of its own magnitude and of the potential risk it might represent for the Free People. That forsaken hill appears to be a beacon of ill malice from its surroundings and maybe from further too; I know that Mithrandir has already investigated on that fortress many years ago and also adventured himself in its dungeons. We therefore have the proof of a precedent case in which unknown forces tried to infest this place; in that case, the entity fled immediately at the arrival of the Grey Pilgrim, even though we have no information about where it headed to afterwards. This erstwhile event confirms my worries about something evil being in development now, and voices circulating among Men residing in the vicinities speak about a Necromancer dwelling in Dol Guldur, presumptively deemed the founder of ghoulish magical cults that violate the natural order of life and death, who is progressively poisoning the air and the water of those woods. Others even claim him to be one of the Nine, disguised as a human sorcerer, intended to strengthen the lure of the Evil throughout those lands.''

Everyone was completely immersed in that narration and some were openly appalled by the words of Galadriel, knowing very well that those were words of truth. Elrond was following with great apprehension and Gandalf nodded multiple times as he acknowledged the pressing state of things. While the expression of Mirkwood's herald got much preoccupied, Saruman remained still in an unnatural quietness (although his complexion seemed a bit pale at times). She then went on with the last part of her heartfelt speech.

''The widespread destruction that the Second Age handed over to us as a terrible legacy to cope with was indeed the favourable scope for maintaining alternate centuries of peace, in spite of sorrowful conflicts in between each period of relative calmness. Nevertheless, may the words I brought to you today be words of caution: for even if the peril is not advancing in daylight, it's nonetheless doing so covertly and with deceitful intentions; for evil enemies shall always boast innumerable means and ways to widen their advantage. Beside setting out with a reasonable and resolved will to analyse every context carefully and not urging counter-productive actions due to impatience, it will be undoubtedly paramount to keep our guard well high and prepare for future initiatives. The wisest have in fact the legitimate onus to provide help to all the free inhabitants of Middle-earth and to withstand firmly any menaces, especially when the others' resolution falters or even fails completely. My heart tells me that we may succeed in uniting our efforts for a greater good and in a greater perspective, so that this White Council of the Wise may placate the present stormy waters of this disenchanted world and its legitimate chief, who is yet to be proclaimed, may lead us to a prosperous destiny of peace and safety. If our gentle host agrees, I would recommend dealing with the leadership of this mighty assembly in the meeting which is due to be held later today. May all of you, during your permanence here, be pleased and delighted by this holy sanctuary that resembles the solitary Eressëa so well.''

As she referred to the much loved West, she had a quick glimpse from the past, reminiscing her previous life upon the crystalline shores of Eldamar, among the diamond-like towers of Tirion and the evergreen fields of Valinor nourished by the mythical radiance of the Two Trees. She then sat down and the feeble light of the rising dawn reflected on her golden-silver hair, of which the legendary Fëanor had always longed to discover the true essence.

Dawn rises.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: VectorMaximus am 13. Sep 2016, 18:15
Elrond gazed out upon the valley; the council had taken a recess, to meet again after the noon-day meal. Galadriel and Gandalf both it seemed counseled investigating into the darkness within Greenwood, whereas Saruman had been inclined to reinforce Rhovanian and Greenwood itself, focusing on reinforcing of borders, training, and other such actions.

He himself still did not know which was the more prudent course of action. For indeed, what could the Lord of the Noldor do? Much of the might of the Noldor had been spend in the war against Angmar, and though they slowly regained their strength, they were still greatly diminished. So not through strength of arms could his folk preserve the realms to the east of the mountains.

"You know" said a voice behind him "I'm pretty sure that when you become contemplative and melancholic the entire valley can feel it, my dear." He turned around and gazed upon his wife, Celebrian. He gave her a small smile in return as he walked over to her, taking her hand in his own.

"Forgive me my heart. I am simply tired of not knowing what to do." He gave her a rueful smile. "Wise as the wizards do men call me, but when there is no power to wield it, what good then is wisdom? For such is how I feel. I but wish I had the Great Alliance now; with which to push back the darkness but valour and force of arms." His eyes grew clouded, remembering ages past.

She snorted and gave him a look. "As I seem to recall, it was your wisdom and your words, not you valour or your strength in arms that convinced my Father to give you his blessing in our union. I have faith. Diplomacy, Council, Leadership, these have always been your strengths." Here she gave him a chiding smile. "It is true that our folk is weaker than they were in the past. So what then is the simplest and easiest task that we can start with? Then move unto the bigger tasks."

Here Elrond paused in their walk, putting his hand in his face as he mulled over the question. Thranduil's army was much larger than his own, though admittedly his own warriors were far superior (though never would he say that to the King of Greenwood's face). With the amount of warriors that he needed in Eriador to patrol the region and protect Imladris Proper, the number of warriors he could send would be negligible. However...

"Healers and Scholars I will send to Thranduil." He said to Celebrian, giving a small nod. "Our own healers are far more skilled than those of the Silvan, and our scholars; I will send the ones who are also skilled with a sword; to better understand their foes and how to better counter them." Here he frowned. He would have to bring this up with the herald, but he hoped that the Woodland Realm would accept his offer. However, Thranduil had ever been prideful, much as his father had been. And there was always a degree of hesitance in the Sindar/Silvan - Noldorin alliance.

"See that you do not sound condescending or pitying when offering this - as someone who grew up next to the Greenwood and interacted with them, it is something they loath above all else." She raised a hand to his lips before he could reply. "And before you reply my dear husband" here she raised an eyebrow "If over-great pride is the sin of the Silvan that I have learned, what I have learned from the Noldo is that you also are prideful, but more than that you are condescending even when you do not mean to be."

He sighed; he knew when he had lost and it was pointless to continue the fight. "I would not intentionally ever be such, but I shall be careful in my words and tone."

"If Elrond could mediate between Gil-Galad and Oropher then I believe he can put forward a proposal without offending the Silvan elves' sensibilities, my Lady" came a melodious voice with a short laugh. Spinning around, the pair spotted Glorfindel in simple blue and silver robes approaching them.

"Glorfindel, what brings you in search of us?" Elrond said, even as they resumed their walk, with elves nodding to them as they entered one of the more populated centers of the Valley.

"Cirdan was searching for you, Lord Elrond" he said, as they passed by Lindir, who had a look of utmost concentration on his face as he leaned over a piece of parchment. Perhaps a new composition.

"Indeed?" It was not that suprising, in all honesty - Cirdan was a dear mentor figure from his time in Lindon, and they also had to coordinate as the two leaders of the Noldor Realms (though nominally Elrond was the greater). And so a small smile appeared upon his face. "Where then was he, Glorfindel, for I would loathe to keep the Mariner waiting."

"Last I saw him he was in the Library, though he said he would go look for you in the main house in a short while. So I will go check the library, and if he is still there, I will send him to your study. I imagine that you will want privacy for the conversation to come."

"Indeed, and what of you Celebrian? Do you wish to join Cirdan and myself?" He turned to his wife, crossing over one of Rivendell's bridges.

"I will join you for a time, but then I think perhaps I shall go look for my mother." Elrond gave a nod in reply, unsurprised. Not often were there chances for the 2 to meet, for even in this time of peace, the Ladies of Lorien and Imladris rarely left their respective realms.

"Very well then. Shall we make our way to the study then?" He inquired, raising an eyebrow and offering his hand to his wife. Spying the retreating back of the Gondolin Elf Lord, he called out to him, "Glorfindel, if you desire, you may join us in Council with Cirdan" Glorfindel gave no signal of acknowledgement besides a single short nod, but that was enough.

Together the Lord and Lady of Imladris turned and began to walk to the great study. There was council between Lindon and Imladris to be held.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: The_Necromancer0 am 17. Sep 2016, 22:53
After Saruman left the council he made his way directly to the library, planning to resume his research as quickly as possible so as to be able to return to his dwelling. Once again he made his way to the great house which bore the Lore of Rivendell, mentally cursing any that would get on his way. He was especially fearful that Galadriel would try to probe his mind further, he would surely win the mental battle but this fight to protect his mind would strengthen their suspicions.

As he walked down the corridor his mind was searching the entirety of Imladris, locating the members of the council and any other that could be a problem for his research, making sure they were far away. Going up one last flight of stairs he finally arrived into the mighty library of Rivendell. The White Wizard quite liked his current dwelling, it had much of the lore he had built up and many ancient artefacts but Elrond's library had always been one of the placed he liked above all. It was well lit and well organised, the books were all classified depending on their topic and therefore finding what he needed should not be too complicated. A slight draft kept the guest cool even in the hottest days and the torches placed strategically kept the place as bright as day even at the darkest hour. Above all a sentiment of ease settled in all those that sat at the table. As he arrived by the entrance an Elf greeted him:
"Mae Goavannen, Lord Saruman. What can I help you with today?"
"Mae Goavannen," replied Saruman, although he had mastered Elvish his mind had never truly gotten used to the pronunciation and always sounded a bit harsher than that of the other Council Members. "I am looking for some books on the crafting of ancient metals, I need to look upon an ancient technique that has escaped my mind."
"Right this way, my Lord."
As he followed the elf Saruman continued to keep track of the council members, he felt Elrond in a deep discussion with other elves, he felt Gandalf talking to the Lady Galadriel and the other heralds discussing. All were busy, none should come to bother him.
"Here, my Lord, this is the section reserved to crafting of metals from all ages. Would you care to enjoy any refreshments?"
Saruman was for a moment tempted to "convince" the Elf to serve him that delicious brew of Númenor which he knew Elrond hid deep within the caves of Rivendell. It would have been a just revenge in exchange for forcing him to travel. However, in the end he decided against it, Elrond had been a galant host and the wine and food he had offered them was more than enough. Maybe another day...
"My Lord?"
"Forgive me, I was lost in my mind. Wine would be plenty, thank you." Hopefully Elrond had not felt his intention, knowing how much he loved his personal cave it would have been quite possible that he would feel the Wizard's brief fixation upon his precious, thought Saruman.

As the Elf departed, Saruman let his rod rest upon and extending his arms wide scanned the shelves, his mind going through the books and looking for the knowledge he sought. It was a much quicker procedure than endlessly looking through the titles of the books and Saruman much preferred it. Finding at last the book he sought he made it float towards him before turning around just in time before the elf returned with the wine. He sat down and opened the thick book before him, he was going to be at it for hours, hopefully nothing was going to bother him or they might very likely regret it...
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Fine am 20. Sep 2016, 08:50
Shortly after the council's first session had ended, Gandalf was left behind, still sitting at the large round table, deep in thought. His mind was occupied with thoughts of the things to come, the words of Galadriel still echoing in his head. The council needed a leader, that was the Lady's suggestion. And when she spoke thus, he had felt her consciensce extend towards his, letting him know who her favoured canditate was. But the Grey Pilgrim thought otherwise. He did not deem himself fit nor worthy to lead. Gandalf had no experience in leadership, or giving commands. He remembered his mission, bestowed upon him by the Elder King, but the mantle of leadership of the Order was given to another, and he felt that Saruman should be the one to oversee the council as well. Wisdom and craftiness were required for this daunting task. Mithrandir did not doubt his own abilities and powers, but his concern was Middle-earth as a whole, not just the North and the West, and he meant to keep a caring eye on all peoples living in it, be they high and noble Elves, or a race like the hobbits, easly overlooked and seemingly unimportant.

As he strode through the gardens of Imladris, he came across two dark-haired men, standing near one of the smaller waterfalls, silently watching the sunlight's reflection upon the crystal clear water. Curious of their names and stories, Gandalf approached them and introduced himself.
"I am Gandalf the Grey," he said with a friendly smile. "What brings two men like you to Imladris?"
The elder of the two bowed his head in a gesture of respect. "My name is Arahad, Chieftain of the Dúnedain, and this is my son, Aragost. We are here to join the Sons of Elrond, who will go on a great hunt to the far North, to Mount Gram, where Orcs are stirring."
"A noble quest," said Gandalf. "I wish you good fortune! May your eyes and ears be open and your swords strike swift and true!"
Arahad thanked him and departed, but his son stayed with Gandalf. He was young still, only thirty-two years in age, which was not alot for someone of his high lineage. Aragost seemed fascinated by the Wizard, asking him many questions about lands far away, but mostly about the great Realm of Men of the South, the Land of Stone: Gondor. Gandalf gave answers where he could, enjoying the refreshing company, and together they walked the gardens until they reached Elrond's house once more.
"Come," said Gandalf. "I would show you something."

They came to the spot where the shards of Narsíl were displayed.
"This is the blade of Elendil, your ancestor," said Gandalf.
"The blade that was broken!" gasped Aragost in awe. "I have not seen it before, even though I lived in this very valley for some time in my childhood."
"Your father bore it with him on his travels, as his forebears have done from time to time," explained the wizard. "And know this: the blade may be broken, but Elendil's line is not: still his heirs dwell hidden in the North, and that is one of the wonders of Isildur's line."
The two talked for some time, but eventually, Aragost was called away by his father. The time to ride forth had come. The young man said his goodbyes to Gandalf and went on his way.

Feeling refreshed, Mithrandir returned to the gardens where he intended to remain until the council's meeting was continued. His mind was more at ease than before, but still some doubt lingered. The peace of the hidden valley surrounded him and he stood silently beneath the trees, wondering about what was to come in the next hours and days.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 21. Sep 2016, 19:38
''My daughter. My beloved daughter.''

A very emotional of a reunion it was. The Lady of Lórien put her arms gently around Elrond's spouse and kissed her daughter's forehead in the kindest of her ways. One would have certainly been surprised by such unusual display of affection between those royal Elves, yet the surprise would have rapidly turned into unbearable awe and extremely profound respect. The two had met in a quite secluded garden-shrine which was situated in the highest levels of the valley. No one else was present, nor any ill-intentioned or just inquisitive mind could have now perturbed that atmosphere of quiet jubilee. Galadriel had been searching for her dear kin since her own arrival, and she had eventually succeeded in perceiving her during the heartfelt moments of the meeting. Celebrían had been initially overcome by the sudden joy to see her mother again, after more than one century had passed since their last encounter within the sacred borders of Lothlórien. The Lady of Light was though focusing on addressing the other mighty guests about matters of the utmost relevance, and they had thus arranged for that isolated place to be the just location.

As time went by, the light of the early dawn increased its radiance and the morning sun was then ready to welcome all the gentle dwelling in Imladris, alongside the travellers that had been summoned there at the request of the Lord of Rivendell. Now that the mother and the daughter were hit by sunlight, everything was pervasively dominated by their stunning magnitude; but that result was more a sort of splendid mixture of different warm and bright colours, as if the less intense luminescence of Celebrían were merged with the ethereal presence of Galadriel (seeming to long for the advice and comfort of the mightier mother). Nature itself appeared to rejoice at the encounter, just like all leaves, plants, trees and forests rejoice at the Sun accordingly.

Some tears of pure happiness left quickly space to serious talks concerning what had happened in such long years, and Celebrían had so the right chance to share late thoughts of hers that troubled a bit the calmness of her mind deeply: a growing uncertainty that sometimes clouded her merry days beside his valiant husband and her splendid children. As words became much clearer than her thoughts, her mother feared that the ever progressive disenchantment of the mortal world might be one of the causes for that gleeful Elf-maiden to grow blue in time, even though she was trying to keep those shadows afar. An even more unpleasant perception was in the inviolable mind of the de facto Queen of the Elves. Akin to a disruptive lightning bolt, she sensed that her daughter's fate would maybe be determined by unexpected happenings; whose kind not often bodes well. But the very same thing could be easily said for all the ones that deem liberty and gentleness fundamental in the grey Middle-earth, and if dread or terror were to return again, all the Free People would equally face peril. Whether one be under the veil of Vilya or Nenya, remain safe deep in Dwarven caverns, isolated in the Woodland Realm's halls or defended within Gondor's solid stone, there is no way to escape completely what the future holds for each of us.

In light of everyone's common state amidst mortal burdens, she didn't let the obscurity of that eerie premonition to set the tone of that intimate visit. She then spoke to her daughter.

''My beloved Celebrían, you are the fair jewel of our kind, a precious gem of such purity and sincerity. The World is undergoing troublesome times recently, but worse challenges it might still have to cope with; this is the destiny of all who live on the other shores of the Belegaer. But you, my daughter, you have the love of your husband and your children, in this hidden Valley of sanctity. May you live still many years of joy that await ahead, bearing in mind that your family will always look at you in the most difficult times; being you here or in Lórien, this doesn't matter. Let sorrow be felt by those who truly bore the weight of dreadful events. You only deserve to fill your life with light and good.''

As Celebrían had desired this with great intensity, her mother told her that she would be more than free to visit Lórien whenever she would feel the need to do so. The Mallorn Trees were in fact renowned not only for hiding the dwellings of the Galadhrim, but also for shielding anyone inside that territory from every type of anxiety and dread; the Princess of Tirion could have also managed to fend even the most gruesome of the thoughts off her realm. Furthermore, the Lady of Light handed over to her a present from her father Celeborn: a necklace crafted on the fashion of the diamond-like blue jewels that the Sindar are used to wear. A true royal gift. Tears of renewed happiness covered Celebrían's face, and everything finished with a long and very affectionate embrace between the two.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: VectorMaximus am 12. Okt 2016, 03:23
It was late in the day when the council at last was reconvened, all the parties having completed their reunions and meeting for the day. It was over cast, with the light barely visible over the horizon, slightly peaking through the clouds as if a foreboding of things yet to be.

"I hope you have all enjoyed your free time today, but the time has come for the council to be reconvened." Elrond said in a neutral tone, surveying the gathered members. "An important particular was brought to my attention over the course of the day; that is the need for a leader, for a head of this esteemed council."

He turned around and moved to the edge of the gazebo, gazing out upon the valley, his form framed by the light of the dying sun. Without turning around to face the council members he continued, his hands folded behind his back.

"In arrangements such as these, it is likely that inevitably there will be arguments that evenly split the council. In such cases, we need someone who is able to determine what the action of the council will be, and to represent us as a unified body if necessary." Here he turned back around. Saruman had a indiscernible look upon his face, the gears of his minds obviously turning, Galadriel ethereal and unreadable, and Gandalf was earnest and contemplative.

He gave a small inclination of his head to Cirdan, "I personally am of the mind that Cirdan should serve as tiebreaker and de-facto leader for this council, due to his great wisdom and impartiality. However, he has told me that he desires no such role. Unless you have reconsidered my old friend?"

Cirdan gave a small smile. "No my old student, my answer remains the same as earlier. My place is with the ships, and at the seashore. The council chamber has never been my home, and I do not desire it ever to be. I get quite tired enough dealing with the Council of Lindon at times!" He finished with a deep chuckle, drawing a small smile from Galadriel and an amused and sardonic half-smirk for Elrond. They both understood all too well how... byzantine the politics of the Noldor could become; even if they had greatly mellowed in the last age, they were still headaches.

After the aged elf's laugh had died down, Elrond resumed, pacing around the table as he went. "So, with my choice for the leader of this council having decided to abstain from the running, I am without strong preference, and as such, open the floor to suggestions on who should be the leader of this most august council." He stopped behind his chair and sat back down, reaching for his wine glass. He was worried that he would need it before the night was done.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 13. Okt 2016, 08:44
''The leader of this council will indeed bear the burden to take the ultimate decision among the diverse views of the Wise. An impressive grasp of the current issues we are about to face and a noble kind of wisdom are the qualities sought in leadership. The responsibility of Middle-earth's safety shall be his major concern. With the shadows growing ever bolder throughout the free territories of this continent and at the borders of our defended realms, this bounden duty is to shape the fate of all.''

Now turning to each of the guests of that assembly, she concluded her brief statement with a final remark, made of words that the others didn't manage to discern whether they were of well-wish or warning. When she finally revealed her preference, it was as if she were also trying to express what that supposed leader ought not to do. The delivery of these thoughts of hers was characterised by her usual subtlety. Nothing new to expect from the Lady of Lórien.

''It's not my wish to seek for that type of authority over the Wise, in any way. My days of ambition are by now almost a far memory of an even further past, and, if not on my hidden realm among the leaves of the Golden Wood, my sight is increasingly focused on Eressëa and beyond, where the Sun descends and none of life withers.''

As she recalled her ancient will of power and the desire for the return to her motherland, it seemed that Nenya's influence had suddenly got much more prominent, though Elrond only was able to sense it directly.

(http://cfile10.uf.tistory.com/image/1155623350F563F71D42B5)

''Not only does the task demand firmness and resolution in action, but the appointed candidate should also set out the noblest and greatest kindness. The sort of disinterested affection for the World and for the multicoloured variety of the Free People which is very rare to find. A formidable quality totally unknown and thoroughly despised by the Evil, for no ill-side could be found in it (not even with the most malicious intent). You, Mithrandir, were endowed with these fundamental traits, and your pure gentleness is commonly held in great consideration by anyone you meet during your long journeys. My trust is thus put in you, so that you may lead us through such difficult times, as my heart knows that power ought to be granted to you indeed, due to the fact that you never desired it. A true leader is not to yearn what it can't have.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Fine am 13. Okt 2016, 10:09
Gandalf rose reluctantly. He stood for a brief pause, returning Galadriel's gaze, but soon looked aside.
"This is not an easy decision to make," he spoke in a hushed tone. "I am honoured by your proposal, híril ó Lórien, but this is a momentous decision to make."

He fell silent for a short while, gathering his thoughs. Finally, he tautened, having made his choice.

"The task that was set before me by the High Lords and High Ladies of the Far West encompasses all the inhabitants of this Middle-earth, not just the Elves or the Wise. In order to properly come up to this duty, I must remain free and must set down no roots, maintaining my independence within this world. Now, do not mistake my intentions! I care deeply about the fate of the Elves and of the Wise, but I cannot solely focus on them. This position of authority you offer me is not mine to take. Indeed, I am more fond of giving counsel and comfort instead of issueing commands. Alas! I cannot comply to your wish, my Lady. Surely, there are others here who are more suited, more grounded in this world, and able to wield the authority you wish to bestow upon me with better understanding and knowledge."

Having spoken his mind, Gandalf sat down again. He felt confident for a while, but a small portion of doubt still lingered in the back of his mind. He had made his choice, and he deemed it the correct one, but what if he had chosen wrong? But before he could ponder more over that thought, he was distracted by the reactions to his renunciation of Galadriel's proposal...
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 15. Okt 2016, 17:15
The response of the Grey Pilgrim was a true disillusionment for all the ones of that assembly that had felt confident in entrusting him with the burden of authority. Disappointment could not be concealed by the emissaries of Lindon and, in particular, by Círdan himself, who had been the first one to acknowledge the real identity of Gandalf and his natural predisposition in contesting any threat to the Free People with the purest good will, though the Shipwright had always known that the wizard's heart was one boundless and free.

Fact of which Galadriel was absolutely aware too. She had divined that he would be appointed to the greatest task of that grey Third Age, and so she had sincerely hoped to convince the Istar to take that fundamental office up for the sake of the Wise's mission. But not all her knowledge of what is to be often reveals itself in precise terms, and she, like she had always done whenever things didn't went as she had wished, accepted the reality of events: Gandalf was to wander across Middle-earth for some time still, before the final quest was about to eventually be manifest to all, as well as the duty it was to demand.

''If I said that your words, Mithrandir, are not cause of dismay for me, I would not tell the truth. But I would certainly be much more displeased if I knew that a bird was forced to dwell in a cage, while what the bird longs for the most is the blue vastness of the sky. May you always be sure that my trust nonetheless remains in you, and in you is indeed forever destined to be.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 23. Okt 2016, 02:24
She then sat down and remained silent. Her typical indecipherable silence which no one could have looked into. But some of the Wise knew that her silence, that kind of silence that leaves many as preys of pressing doubts, was not a well-wishing sign to rely on. If the Lady of Light's judgement doesn't find a way to be turned into practical measures, one would really find it difficult to foretell whether alternative judgements are likely to have akin favourable outcomes.

Very worried gazes were exchanged among many guests. Elrond was following the situation very carefully, though he wasn't willing yet to share the name of the candidate he thought he would serve well the council's purpose. Gandalf was deeply conscious of having just turned down a pivotal offer, but his long journeys would still lead him afar, busy with trying to unveil Middle-earth's riddles. Riddles that were by then more often clouded in creeping shadows.

Saruman stood, as always, unnaturally quiet. It was really hard for most of the attendees to discern what he was probably thinking about. Was he feeling relieved that his chances were getting continuously higher? Or was he recalling Galadriel's sincere endorsement for the Grey Wizard, coming to the relative conclusions?
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: The_Necromancer0 am 26. Okt 2016, 02:11
Perhaps it was time for Saruman to stand and enter this meeting, he had not brought a contribution to the meeting yet since he yet only saw it as a waste of time, but that had all changed. Since he now had the possibility to rein in the power of Wise to do is bidding, as long as he played his game well. At the moment he was scanning the mind of the people around the table, looking through their minds to be able to better seduce them and convince them.

Now was the time for him to intervene. He rose his head slowly and began. "It seems this assembly has come to a stalemate, not knowing where to go next because for lack of a leader. Now, both Lady Galadriel and Lord Elrond have suggested members who seem to have no interest in guiding this meeting, I would like to propose my candidature for the honorable position. While it may not always seem to be the case, my interest lie in the survival of Middle-Earth."

Then the Wise Wizard sat back down, he did not have the wish to debate his position. Either they would accept him or they would find another. Controlling the Wise would be helpful, but it would require more effort which Saruman was not ready to fight for since it would take time away from his... project.

As he rested his hand back onto the table the looked around and saw many different expressions. This was an opportunity for the White Wizard but not at the cost of time, so he would either succeed with little effort or not, not matter the result all his effort would be put into his project, not this trivial matter.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 24. Nov 2016, 02:03
So, was it all destined to end that way? The situation wasn't clearly boding so well for all those who had hoped to rely on the Grey Pilgrim's will to accept; needless to say, the Lady of Light was immersed even more in the vast depths of her mind, trying to discern and understand whether the future events would revolt against the whole project or not. She needed to know that. She sensed that the outcome to be would eventually compel the fate of many to take a different course. Her sight was kind of obscured by uncertainty and different riddles.

But Gandalf's refusal was not the only happening to face in those heated moments. The eventuality of Saruman's coronation seemed to worry her significantly. Yet she was alone in her own thoughts; very little could have others done to help her get through that mist of different premonitions. The other guests' minds were conveying their benevolence to the White Istar's candidacy. The final result was very near then and much clearer to fathom. The emissaries from Lindon and Círdan himself gave their positive response, followed by the assent of the envoy from Mirkwood. Galadriel knew that Thranduil would not have minded the appointment of someone less interested in the green vastness of the World in the East, provided that the king's rule had remained unquestionable; unless the Shadow had presented itself in front of his borders (or, worse, within his realm), forcing him to rely on outer support. But his isolationism was more and more resembling a real gaol. An Istar as the chief of the Wise? Surely he didn't mind very much. 'Wizards are like winter thunders on a wild wind which rolls in from a distance', he said once, adding 'Always keen on detecting threats, and very eager to unveil the arcane secrets of the World that ought remain buried and to undergo quests that they deem suitable for their purposes'.

Meanwhile, the fair court of the wise nobility of Rivendell was too shifting to the sole option that looked viable and consistent. Elrond was following the process very carefully. Gandalf was still very quiet and reserved; he was probably not to have any kind of objections against the highest of his order to lead that council. Galadriel felt that the last response to make would be hers. As Gandalf and Elrond, almost innocently and with the most well-intentioned spirit, were ready to grant Saruman their full trust, the skilful and industrious Wizard was craving to know what would the Lady's answer be.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: VectorMaximus am 28. Nov 2016, 14:36
As the council began to list its affirmations, Elrond sat in deep contemplation. Saruman would indeed be a wise choice; he was wise, deeply intelligent and his understanding of the ways of the Enemy were second to none. While he had a slight reluctance to nominate an Istari, due to their at times unpredictable nature, he could come up with no better option for the head of the Council. Saruman was already the first of his Order, surely he could be entrusted with this task.

After hearing the affirmation of the Emissary of Thrandiul, he spoke. "I too support the appointment of Saruman as head of this council, and he shall be the first among the wise upon Arda. May he lead us well with all of his most deep insight and wisdom." He lifted his wine glass, and with a small smile upon his face, the white wizard responded in kind. With his piece said, Elrond's mind moved to other matters.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 2. Dez 2016, 12:09
The Lady seemed to lean on the marble-made table of the council for a moment and towards the Grey Wizard who was standing in front of her, just to go back to her normal and imperturbable composure immediately after. It was by then very clear what the outcome would be, and someone's dismay could have changed very little at that point. Saruman's candidacy had to submit itself to the judgement of the Wise, and that it had exactly done. She should consequently get to grips with the inevitable conclusion and so try to figure how the voluble thread of time would evolve in the events to come. But before letting everyone know her final word, Galadriel wanted to comfort the worried mind of Gandalf, as the Istar was to announce his public endorsement. Inaudible words were thus spoken again.

Don't be burdened by the weight of your refusal, Mithrandir, for there is no guilt in it. Speak your mind freely and with the sincerest heart. Whether it be a wandering pilgrim, loved by anyone whom he visits, or the authoritative chief of a noble order, skilful in several arts and acquainted with arcane secrets, the troubles of the World will continue to create turmoil in any land interested by dreadful phenomena or perilous threats. It is therefore of the utmost importance that those willing to undergo such tough challenges be ever aware of their duty and ready to act. The Evil shall always find a way to return. We must maintain our guard very high and firm, as the safeguard of Middle-earth depends on us still. The time in which Men shall eventually bear this responsibility is yet to manifest itself, nor have I been able yet to divine it precisely.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 21. Jan 2017, 02:10
And so Gandalf gave way for the election of the chief of his noble order as the chief of the whole White Council. The Wise were then to be guided by the skilful arts of Saruman the Wise, whose many-sided words symbolised surely a great authority to be reckoned with, yet they would also be destined to get more obscure and riddle-like in the years ahead.

The Lady then spoke her final words. Words that the new head of that mighty assembly was not pleased to hear.

''After having paid careful attention to your thoughts hitherto, gentle participants of this meeting, my ultimate decision won't differ from the previous opinion of mine that envisaged Mithrandir as the potential leader of our joint force. But what I deem is not the sole theme of the multicoloured melody, which our thorough debate has given life to. If this is the will of the majority, then be it. The greatest of the Istari now holds in his industrious hands the hope of the Free People of this grey Middle-earth. May his judgement lead us towards the right path and never falter among the shadows.''

Elrond thus declared the first meeting of the White Council concluded and paid homage to its newly-appointed leader. The guests greeted each other and headed to their way home. Never did Saruman forget that the Lady of Light had not supported his candidacy and resentment due to her choice grew slowly yet unceasingly in his heart.



The first meeting of the White Council ends.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 28. Jan 2017, 17:12
THE SECOND MEETING
The premises of the meeting

The White Council meets again in T.A. 2851, nearly 400 years after the first assembly, in the midst of a sudden surge of grave and very grim events. Mirkwood got even darker and the power hiding there has overtly held dominion over the southern territories of the vast woods, terrorising anyone dwelling in the vicinity. A ghoulish and obscure force that gathered Orcs and fell creatures in the eerie pits of the fortress. The source of this relentless malice poisoned anything alive in the surrounding areas and cloaked Dol Guldur under a strong spell of concealment, through which even Galadriel may not now see anymore.

(http://www.thelandofshadow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/DolGuldure1.jpg)

Saruman had in the meantime settled in Isengard, making this ancient Númenórean fortress his stable residence. In spite of the expectations of the Wise, he didn't endeavour for the cause of the White Council as he should have done; that this, the awakening shadows in Mirkwood weren't the priority of his action. On the other side, he had poured all himself in the studying of the forgotten and arcane arts of the forging of the Rings of Power, in an attempt to retrieve what was irreparably lost. Hoping that this kind of knowledge would eventually strengthen his power and thus his authority, he however started desiring the possession of the One Ring more and more, believing that Sauron's artefact could have indeed survived and remained unspoiled in the passing of centuries. Galadriel and Gandalf began to be concerned by this attitude, and they feared that the judgment of their chief was ever faltering in those times of emergency.

(http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131030031017/lotr/images/f/fc/Isengard_3.jpg)

Therefore, via circumventing the rule of the White Wizard, Gandalf (supported by the Lady of Light) visited Dol Guldur again, disguised as an old and mysterious wanderer by the action of his magic. Once passed through the sentinels and the foul beasts patrolling the surroundings woods, the Grey Pilgrim entered the fortress and lifted the spell that kept it hidden. After the discovery of Thráin II, agonising and revealing before his departure that his Ring of Power had been retrieved by the Enemy, Gandalf faced the darkness of the Necromancer, who finally unveiled his identity as Sauron and manifested his true purposes. Despite the terror emanated by the revenant Sauron, the Evil didn't manage to win the Istar and Gandalf found thus a way out of that dreadful peril.

(http://www.thelandofshadow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/DolGuldur6.jpg)

The White Council is summoned again. Galadriel and Gandalf asks for an immediate assault on Dol Guldur, to prevent Sauron from recollecting too much strength and to end his schemes once and for all.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 4. Feb 2017, 19:22
DIGRESSION
The scene takes place in Caras Galadhon, in the mighty palace of whom reigns supreme over Lórien. It's T.A. 2850 (just one year before the meeting). It's deep night. Galadriel stands firm on the major balcony of the palace; the one towering over all the other gargantuan trees and thus conceding a wide view of all the woods of Lothlórien. Her sight could easily perceive things well beyond the borders of her realm, without relying on the extension of her mind-sensing capabilities. A grim expression had formed on her indecipherable face. Only the wisest could have known that this composure of hers indicated ill eventualities occurring somewhere in the World. Celeborn, returning from the now-frequent patrols, finds himself in front of such spectacle.

(http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/edain-mod/images/1/1b/Lorien.jpeg/revision/latest?cb=20160108133213)

CELEBORN: ''What did you perceive, my Lady, of a so terrible fashion to render you so upset? Please, disclose your heart with no fears.''
GALADRIEL: ''It was as obscure as the darkest night. Rapid and unmerciful. A storm of immense greatness that manifested itself on the other shore. A sudden thunder that tore the sky apart. But Mithrandir is safe. For a moment, I was terrified that it was forever over...''
C: ''I can't seem to understand. What kind of words are you trying to speak, my beloved half?''
G: ''He has returned. The darkness has eventually returned. Middle-earth is now to face the most dreadful of the nightmares, which shall soon spread across all angles of lands. We were right, gallant Lord of the Galadhrim, we saw it rightly. A wraith, a mere slave could have never gathered such shadows in the pits of that eerie horror that stands in front of our safe borders. Indeed, the mastermind has come forth.''
C: ''Tell me more, my Queen. My heart is profoundly shaken. And, also, what does the kindhearted Gandalf have to do with all of this. I'm eager to know.''
G: (Making a long sigh and getting even more serious) ''It all started from the recent happenings. The power within that infamous fortress had constantly been getting stronger and darker. The malice hidden in there had concealed the surrounding areas under a powerful spell, of the kind none of the Nazgûl could have performed. As you know, vigilance had become a normal aspect of life and multiple reports from the Woodland Realm had unfortunately confirmed the ever-growing assembling of foul creatures along those territories. For the first time in three millennia, my sight across the river was denied. It therefore seemed that the mysterious Necromancer had chosen to move his last pawns in secrecy, as he was soon to reveal his intentions overtly.

And so, in the darkening hour, I decided to summon Mithrandir at my presence, in whom I place my utmost trust. The Grey Pilgrim had in fact always advocated a careful watch over Dol Guldur, that is now known in the common knowledge as the 'Hill of Sorcery'. A sorcerer was exactly establishing his might and attracting as a beacon all possible threats. As things were evidently boding very ill since the meeting of the White Council, our chief's judgement was and, I fear, is still clouded by wrong thoughts and assumptions. Instead of setting up strategies to counter the pressing issues related to the gathering darkness, he remained locked in his new fortified dwelling, immersing himself in businesses of which I couldn't be capable of knowing the exact nature. Therefore, we have carelessly lowered our guard, while the illness continued to infect and poison.

Yet neither I nor Mithrandir in truth knew how everything was to develop. In spite of the deliberations given by Saruman, I ordered him to enter the fortress and finally unveil that menacing mystery. And it happened. He entered the borders of Dol Guldur, cloaked by his powers and disguised as a lone wanderer. He pierced the defence of the fortress and in that moment he disappeared from my sight. Until some moments ago. Mithrandir found a way out and indeed shall bear the gravest of the news for us. The Necromancer is nothing more than the Dark Lord of Mordor, incapable of taking a physical form yet and recollecting his lost powers, unbeknownst to the majority of us. Sauron, the horror of the First Age, the deceiver of the Second Age, the master of the Rings of Power and the tyrant of the Free People is now again! I saw him. I could never be wrong. He tried to overcome the Istar, but the heart of the wizard was pure and his endurance imperishable. Nenya has reacted with violence, as it has never done for a long time; tell me, can you see it? It's still visible. The Ring of Fire must have shielded Mithrandir from the hopeless void of the Enemy. He is now heading south, riding safely towards the borders of Rohan. Unlikely could someone imagine how I'm relieved to know that he's nonetheless safe.''
C: ''It can't be. All those centuries. He should have been totally vanquished. What do you know about his current strength?''
G: ''The One Ring was not undone in the fire of Mount Doom and the Evil was thus given the chance to linger in Middle-earth. We have all been played for fools. It's our fault. Our vigilance has failed...''
C: ''The armies of Lothlórien are wholly at your command. We're ready to strike immediately!''
G: ''No, such deed would not be wise. Not at this late hour. Sauron has come forth, but I can vaguely sense that he's not in the position to launch anything close to a vast-scale attack yet. But I don't have a clear measure of his might either. We have to plan our moves very carefully. Albeit the valiant courage of our troops, a siege would endanger too many lives, given our present ignorance of his devices. Traps, ambushes and spells may have easily been placed in defence of his lair, during all these years. I fear I don't have the power yet to cure the plague of those woods and to secure a certain victory. With us being busy with the hypothetical fighting, the recent movements of Goblins from the Misty Mountains might suggest that an invasion against our western flank is not a distant reality. Lothlórien can't protect itself and win two enemies at the same time. Furthermore, the White Council must be informed; I will try to urge for an immediate attack. It's imperative that we be ready to deal with this terrible return together, with joined forces.''
C: ''Your will shall be enforced. Patrols shall be doubled and all the peripheral woods shall be guarded by more sentinels. Despite not planning an assault, my Lady, preparations for all eventualities shall be made. I will leave all the matters concerning the Wise and our allies in your precious hands. No one shall never dare to wage war against us and succeed in their propositions. We shall withstand all perils in honour and valour.'' (He leaves)
G: ''Winds and thunders storm on the other side of the river. The weather of the World rages in wrath and is awfully mutated by the arts of the Enemy. Mithrandir, Hope of the Free People, in front of a perilous challenge you were put and many more terrible ones you shall be destined to face. It's time for our will not to falter among the shadows awakening in our grey Middle-earth.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 14. Feb 2017, 11:05
It's 2851 T.A. Galadriel has just left the borders of the Golden Wood. She's heading to Rivendell to attend the meeting of the White Council. The temporary absence of the Lady of Light compels the forces of Lothlórien to strengthen their own defences and to patrol more portions of the vast woods under the White Lords' domain. The scene is set in the night: Celeborn addresses the rallying sentinels on the eastern borders.

CELEBORN: ''Gallant forces of the Golden Wood, my valiant guardians, foul beings are being gathered on the other side of the river, in the obscurity of Mirkwood. A thick veil of malice and hatred, which can't now be pierced even by the most powerful mind. Desolate packs of Orcs or disbanded masses of beasts, loosely wandering around the southern woods, they are not. There is instead a major mastermind who is moving his own pawns, preparing for battle or for plans we have unfortunately no knowledge of. The power within that eerie fortress next to the ends of this realm is getting stronger and darker as time passes.

Brave sentinels, I fear that, either in a few days or in a century, our enemies will eventually bring the atrocity of war to our door. We must be prepared. In the darkening hour, we shall be ready to face the challenges we are to be put in front of. Let us therefore maintain our guard always high, because blades and thorns will soon become a bitter reality to get acquainted with.

I can't reveal the real nature of the source of such relentless evil yet, but suffice it to say that we are to confront a force who has been scheming in resentment for probably a millennia. Deceitful are his means and treacherous his devices. Instructions have been given. From now on, the path between Lothlórien and Mirkwood is closed and denied to any kind of travellers, as well as the accesses to the Anduin along these shores. Envoys from the Woodland Realm in the far north of Mirkwood, whom we have really hoped to see these years, shall be halted and sent back as a precautionary measure. Unless they have been given authorisation by me or by the Lady, heralds of other realms shall not be allowed to enter these sacred territories either, having this been the customary norm since the beginning. The sole exception consists of Elrond's messengers from Rivendell, even though this is a matter pertaining to the guards of our western flank. We shall show the Enemy that here lies a power which none of his means could ever subjugate!''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 19. Feb 2017, 15:02
THE SECOND MEETING OF THE WHITE COUNCIL

2851 T.A. The second meeting of the White Council finally has its beginning in a cloudy and rainy night in Rivendell. The premises of such important assembly, amidst very stringent contingencies, were more or less known by any of the participants. Galadriel and Gandalf were the ones who had urged the Wise to consult each other, just a year before, following the terrible encounter between the Grey Pilgrim and Sauron himself. Due to the urgency of the situation, other minor members of the assembly have delegated the final decision to the authoritative core of the Wise: Elrond, Galadriel, Gandalf and Saruman (the chief of the council). The four mighty leaders thus have the opportunity of action in their own hands.

THE TOPIC: The sole topic of the meeting is the sudden return of Sauron in Middle-earth, alongside his ambiguous manoeuvres beyond the eastern shores of the Anduin. Galadriel and Gandalf asked that an immediate attack be launched on Dol Guldur. Saruman, on the other hand, lingers in the mist of cautiousness and doesn't miss the chance to criticise the (in his opinion) improvident decision of his fellow Istar to enter that eerie fortress, unbeknownst to the very head of the White Council.

(https://w-dog.net/wallpapers/7/0/432664603112217/hobbies-unexpected-journey-the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey-galadriel-galadriel-night-elf-waterfalls-year-rivendell-rivendell.jpg)

(https://penpalthe.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/hbt-fp-0017.jpg)

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NXMgZVsnNUc/UYMKEO-Dj5I/AAAAAAAAANI/y0QwN0lL1lE/s1600/whiteCouncil1.png)
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Fine am 20. Feb 2017, 10:06
The sound of the rain pouring down on the roofs of the buildings in Imladris was heard faintly while the White Council gathered at their preferred meeting place. Words of salutation and greeting were exchanged for a short while, until the host, Lord Elrond of Rivendell, officially commenced the meeting and brought up the topic, that had brought the four wise members of the council together on this day: the return of their old foe, the Dark Lord Sauron. It was a discovery made by Gandalf, when he ventured into the dungeons of Dol Guldur, the stronghold of the dreaded Necromancer of Mirkwood. And thus, the Grey Wizard saw it as his duty to give the Council and its head, Saruman the White, a full report of his foray into the dark fortress.

"As you know, wise councillors, this was my second visit to that blasted castle that sits atop Amon Lanc, gnawed into the mountain and even devouring its very roots deep below. But this time, I was able to confirm the identity of this so-called Necromancer that has been spreading shadow and plague beneath the once fair Greenwood. It is no other than Sauron himself, in weakened state of course, but nevertheless alive. His spirit must have endured, as the Ruling Ring endured."
"It should have been destroyed long ago, were it not for the faintness of the minds of Men," said Elrond regretfully. "Were this thing put back into the flames from whence it was made, Sauron would have been cast down eternally and could never return. But I disgress, Gandalf. Continue with your report, old friend."
"I came to Dol Guldur with great sorrow on my mind," said Gandalf. "I had heard dark rumours and wanted proof. That's why I travelled to the western edge of the forest, crossing the Great River near Lothlórien." He glanced swiftly at the Lady Galadriel, who gave him an amicable smile. "I left my steed behind at the eaves of Mirkwood - the animal did not dare to enter the dread that now lies beneath the dark trees that grow in the southern reaches of the forest. I was unhindered during my approach of the hill of Amon Lanc - from far away, it seemed abandoned, but when I drew closer, I became aware of the presence of enemies: Orcs, and other foul beings. In great secrecy I made my way to the foot of the mountain, where I discovered an entrance to the vast tunnel network that stretches below the stronghold of the necromancer. Pits upon pits and dungeons upon dungeons did his slaves dig into the earth, and it took all of my will and strength to remain hidden from the sight of the orc patrols that kept watch over the miserable beings that are being held captive beneath Dol Guldur. And finally, after hours of scouring through the dungeons, I made a critical discovery: an old Dwarf, barely clinging to the life left in him, speaking in confused sentences. It was Thráin, the King under the Mountain, who was thought lost on his recent quest to Erebor."
"King-in-exile," corrected Elrond. "How did you know it was Thráin? I housed his company shortly when they were on their way to the Lonely Mountain, and felt the presence of an artifact of great power, when I briefly spoke with Thráin." The Lord of Imladris stroked his right hand reflectively, and the light of Vilya was visible for a fleeting moment.
"If he ever bore the Ring that was given to his forefather Durin, it had been taken from him," explained Gandalf. "But he spoke at length of his son, Thorin, and in the end, he gave me two items to safekeep: A map and a key, both of Erebor."
"One of the Seven Rings of the Dwarves?" intervened Saruman. "That is an important matter, Gandalf, and should not be simply dealt with in one short sentence. The lore of the Rings of Power is my speciality, and I deemed all Seven lost long ago. How can you be sure Thráin had one of them?"
"He spoke of it, in his madness," replied Gandalf. "Untouched it was by the Dark Lord, he kept saying. Given to the King of Khazâd-dûm by the Elf-smiths directly, not by Sauron. He seemed obsessed with it. In the end, he only found clarity when I mentioned his son. But eventually, his ramblings alerted the guards, and I had to flee without being able to rescue him."
"How then did you find proof of the necromancer's identity?" asked Elrond.
"Putting together the pieces seemed easy," answered Gandalf. "Raising the Dead is a feat no Man or Elf has ever achieved, in my knowledge. But tales from the First Age tell of Morgoth's lieutenant, Sauron, who used this ability to ensnare one of Barachír's companions into giving up the location of their secret hideout. And the tale of Thráin's ring gave me further confirmation, aside from chatter I overheard from the orcish guards, that spoke of the Great Master and his flaming Eye. It is Sauron, and he is collecting the rings. Never had I felt his presence so clearly, and I'm sure he was made aware of mine as well, when I fought my way out of the dungeons. I barely made it out, to be honest. And the pursuit through the reaches of Mirkwood up to the shores of the Anduin was relentless. Only within the sacred walls of the Golden Forest I was finally safe."

"And what do you make of all this?" asked Elrond carefully.
"We must make our move, and we must make it soon," said Gandalf. "The combined might of the Council may yet prove strong enough to defeat Sauron, or at least drive him from Dol Guldur. I deem it my duty to go back and free those who are kept in chains in the dungeons. It may be too late for Thráin, for I felt his death soon after my departure, but there are many others there that suffer under the whips of orcish slave-drivers. We must attack Dol Guldur!"
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: The_Necromancer0 am 21. Feb 2017, 10:51
As soon as Gandalf mentioned that the Necromancer was indeed Sauron many thoughts came upon Saruman's mind. His secret search for the One had become stagnant due to the lack of knowledge on its whereabouts. The fact that Sauron had decided to take up residence in the Hill of Sorcery could only mean that the Ruling Ring must be within this region. It was vital that he send out messages after the meeting to all his spies, ordering them to start searching the Gladden Fields, he would have much preferred to do it here and now, but the mind of the Lady of the Golden Woods was too keen, he could not risk that his plan be revealed now. He would have to be patient. He left the palace of his mind and reconnected with the ongoing meeting, Gandalf still telling of his incursion into Dol Guldur.

"... the Ring that was given to his forefather Durin, it had been taken from him," continued Gandalf. "But he spoke at length of his son, Thorin, and in the end, he gave me two items to safekeep: A map and a key, both of Erebor."

"One of the Seven Rings of the Dwarves?" inquired Saruman. "That is an important matter, Gandalf, and should not be simply dealt with in one short sentence. The lore of the Rings of Power is my speciality, and I deemed all Seven lost long ago. How can you be sure Thráin had one of them?"

"He spoke of it, in his madness," replied Gandalf. "Untouched it was by the Dark Lord, he kept saying. Given to the King of Khazâd-dûm by the Elf-smiths directly, not by Sauron..."

Seeing that Gandalf had run out of useful things to say, Saruman went back into his mind to tinker upon what he had learnt. To think that Sauron had now gained another of the Seven was worrying, but it was also a perfect opportunity. He would likely grown bolder and reveal himself, allowing Saruman to gather more information on the One's location. Saruman made a note to arm his spies, not because he cared, but because taking control of new ones would be a terrible waste of time he could not afford. He also needed to look into a way for them to communicate without using the way of the mind, perhaps he could make use of that explosive powder he had recently discovered, although it was still a progress. Many tasks now required his attention and he desired even more strongly that the meeting come to an end. Tuning back into the physical realm, he returned just as Gandalf was finishing his tale and started preparing a counter argument to keep the Wise peaceful and avoid them probing too much into the ma...

"We must attack Dol Guldur!"

Not many can claim to ever have surprised the White Wizard but on that day Gandalf joined their ranks. While in appearance Saruman stayed calm, his mind was now reworking his response to make sure that the White Council did NOT attack Dol Guldur. There was no doubt in his mind that a siege on the hill would result in their victory but his loss, the Shadow would be driven back and the Ring would stay hidden. This would be catastrophic and in addition would only serve to undermine his authority, lessening his position as head of the Council.

Saruman did note that for a brief moment his heart desired to follow Gandalf, he had felt reinvigorated and was taken with the need to lead himself the assault on Dol Guldur to drive the Shadow back. His mind quickly rid his heart of this foolish need but he was intrigued, could it be perhaps that Gandalf's voice had been gifted with a similar power as his? This left him to wonder what else the Grey Wanderer was hiding.
 
Saruman began speaking, wrapping his words in thin layers of magic, it was a risky move for the members of the Council were powerful and if they were to detect it, things would go ill for him. But he no longer had a choice, it was absolutely essential for his plan that the Council remain passive. Very carefully, he began to thread:

"As always old friend, you gather much evidence but draw conclusions too quickly. Let us examine what we know. Some Orcs have began to gather at the Hill of Sorcery you tell us, but I see no cause for concern. It has always been and shall always been this way, foul things are drawn to foul places but that does not mean that the Enemy has returned. In addition, a human sorcerer has taken residence in the abandoned fortress and uses his magic to control the orcs, they are simple creature, to them any magic can only be the work of their Master, it is even possible that he has told them himself in an attempt to gain their loyalty. Even the lowliest of magicians could easily make Orcs see what he wants them to see whether it be a fiery eye or simply a man in dark armor similar to that of Sauron.

We must not be too quick to show our hand, especially when the possibility that this.. Necromancer is Sauron is slim. You have also told us that this meager human sorcerer could raise the dead, but have you seen it? Have you confirmed that the bodies were dead and that they were indeed brought back to life fully.  A worried mind often pushes the eye to see what the heart desires. Do not be hasty, let us first see proof of what you tell us. The words of orcs and men should not be enough to push us to all out war."

With that Saruman rested his hand on the table, he had made his point and hoped that the charm that accompanied each of his words would be enough to keep the Council at peace. Gandalf was staring at him, unconvinced, but that was expected, if he had truly seen this things he would not doubt his own eyes. Galadriel as always was standing, withdrawn from the meeting but paying attention, behind Gandalf as if to protect him from the words of Saruman. She, too, seemed un-phased by Saruman's silver tongue, she had grown much too powerful to the taste of the keeper of Isengard. Only Elrond, seemed somewhat doubtful of Gandalf's word, but a his mind would quickly clear unless further pressure was put upon it.

Pouring all his mastery of magic into this last sentence he increases the strength of the magic, keeping it as hidden as he could and while he spoke to all, most of the magic made its way to Elrond, which for a second felt an uneasy presence upon him, but it disappeared quickly.

"I advocate that we remain calm, there is no need for war, no need for the council to waste its strength on a simple sorcerer. I will send word to King Thranduil and ask him to cleanse the land of the orcs that roam the forest with the offer of lending him my power."

And with that, Saruman became silent once one. He had done what he could, his plan's integrity now rested on whether or not his words had been crafty enough.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 22. Feb 2017, 18:35
The skies above Rivendell were ever clear and undimmed from unnatural phenomena, which one may instead have experience of when a source of power is perturbing the climate of the World. But it was pouring on the last homely shelter of the West, and the very rain did seem to get heavier as the debate was electing the path of confrontation. A bitter path, as the noble attendees of that assembly were the greatest of their kind and each of them was resolute in convincing the other of the propriety of their thesis.

Saruman's magic was pervading the whole surrounding space via his fluid speech; his discourse was unravelling itself in a plurality of powerful words. The effectiveness of such cunningly-designed manoeuvre had certainly been augmented by the indoor location of the meeting. The great library hall, comprising also a large circular table of the finest wood, had been appointed for the council. Left empty by any other person but the mighty four, a dense silence of preoccupation and anticipation reigned supreme all over its vast rooms, with Elven lamps providing a quite pale illumination. It was therefore easy for the White Wizard to take advantage of this suspended environment and to let his parlance embalm anything in the vicinity. Words burdened by frustration and, unfortunately, deceit. Yet the Lady was more adamant than ever in her firm convictions; unmoved by the usage of a so subtle of a device and staunchly willing to have her good purposes prevail over idle decisions. And idle decisions they were not, given that a clear design sustained their ill-intentioned reasons. Galadriel was also very much dissatisfied and sad to realise how the chief of the Wise had by then completely closed his mind, resembling in her eyes the same veil of concealment that hid the infamous eerie fortress on the other side of the river. A great dismay which found its solid roots in the pieces of the mosaic that she had been carefully collecting and ordering for long time. The discovery, thanks to the impeccable sentinels of the Golden Wood, that agents from Isengard were secretly doing researches across Eriador and the Vales of Anduin, the memories of Mithrandir during his visits to Orthanc and the rare journeys of the very Saruman to Gondor and Lindon reinforced Galadriel's suspects: Saruman was covertly gathering knowledge of the forgotten lore of the Rings of Power, whose arcane secrets no one but Celebrimbor himself could have brought to light again.

Something really ambiguous permeated Saruman's relentless interest into the Rings of Power, for, even if his obsession were aimed at retrieving lost wisdom from the obscurity of the Second Age of Arda, he could not have achieved much out of it. The Lady of Light thus doubted whether he was sincerely moved by a forlorn hope to forge a new Ring of Power of whatever nature, or, being conscious of the impossibility of such eventuality, whether other darker purposes dominated his faltering will. Yes, the wizard had faltered in those decades and let the unknown shadows of Mirkwood operate in complete liberty. Relegated in his fortified dwelling, Saruman had immersed himself in those arcane businesses, alongside failing to comply with the true objective of his duty: the surveillance of Middle-earth. What was his main intent? Why desiring the knowledge of such artefacts? Why at that moment? The timing must have had its own logic; riddles that only a mind as hers could have succeeded in solving.

Needless to say, as a sudden glimpse of favourable opportunity, Galadriel divined what the chief of the White Council was probably to ask with increased concern. Therefore, as his words' effect was beginning to wane, she intervened in the debate. She couldn't permit that Gandalf's remembrances of his own recent mission were abruptly unveiled, so that the secret of Narya would fall prey of the White Wizard's snares.

''We ought not to indulge in such lengthy discussions. We should take Mithrandir's words as the crystalline truth. The exact portrait of the current state of things, which shows nothing more than the consequences of our inaction. The heart of the Grey Wizard does not know lies nor deceits. Even now I may sense the purity of his speech. One should not question that. To the most dubious mind, I shall say that I too perceived his return. I sensed his essence and his ancient hatred. The one who reigned supreme over the lands of shadow in the East of the World. The terror of the First Age and the bane of my kind in the Second. I saw all, because it was also in my mind, gentle pilgrim. That day, we underwent the risk to lose one of the most formidable guardians of Middle-earth. Yet hope prevailed, and you, dear Mithrandir, found a way out of that nameless darkness; Hope has saved you and us all.

If one asked that more elements be brought to the general attention, I can offer what my knowledge can dispose of. Namely, no typology of human sorcery will ever be able to summon such multitude of foul beasts, nor could it be capable of hiding a fortress under a strong spell of concealment that I can't pierce. Moreover, Orcs can certainly wander loosely and sometimes aggregate themselves in packs, but legions respond only to one master. The sentinels who patrol my borders informed me that the Black Speech may now be easily heard across those tainted lands. And we know for sure that such language was created for a single purpose, which is the one of ruling over the minions of the Evil; the Orcs have in fact been reported to have abandoned their scattered primitive idioms. Those are signs that I could never misunderstand. May I also add how asking for Thranduil's help is a very needless of a proposition. He has confined himself within the walls of isolationism, since the time he was forced by unknown shadows to move his people to the northernmost ends of the woods, protected in halls carved in the stone. Dol Guldur is not his prime concern.

We must face the truth: Sauron has returned, and we don't have knowledge of what he is after. All immediate counter-measures should be considered. In particular, I would deem an assault a very proper decision. We can't linger, nor can we give him any chance, for Sauron is an infinite sea shattered by endless storms and his mind is ever devoured by malice. Plans and schemes are continuously being made and remade. He won't give us time. We shouldn't parlay with the approaching menace.''



With 'Hope' in capital and italics, Galadriel is referring to Narya. A reference that Saruman won't obviously understand.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 1. Mär 2017, 17:51
ELROND: ''Noble guests, yours are very powerful words that can't do anything else than command the greatest respect. Each speech brings to the general attention a defined portrait of the situation, but I sensed that a marked divergence of views divides this assembly now. The assault which could be waged to Dol Guldur is indeed the central topic of this meeting, alongside what we are ready to undertake, if we really yearn the solution to tackle such sudden menace. All eventualities are obviously taken into account with the utmost care. I would personally suggest we consider events in a theoretical perspective first, in order to gather every possible information in our possession. Only after this kind of recollection of thoughts shall we be able, as I'm confident, to submit our final conclusions to a last ballot; we shall do so with the most open and sincerest mind.

Can we dispose of additional hints about the true schemes of this mysterious enemy? Furthermore, may we elect a clear path in discerning the real identity of the menace? Mighty leader of the Istari, we too managed to collect evidences that ghoulish arts are in action as we now speak, within that place of darkness; arcane spells of a fashion we have not experienced for long time until the recent happenings. The suspects of some of us, during our first council, have sadly become a terrifying reality. If Lady Galadriel deems the resurgence of the Dark Lord an apparent fact, I don't know in all honesty why I shouldn't trust her words as the truth according to which we are to conceive our counter-measures.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 2. Mär 2017, 01:33
The calm rain of Rivendell was still falling on the roofs of that sacred valley's dwellings. Galadriel perceived the usual kindhearted intentions of Elrond, knowing that he would have presumably leaned on her and Gandalf's side, if evidences and arguments had managed to be enough convincing. The keeper of Vilya had already tasted the poisonous cordial of war, in times when the resurgence of a past shadow would have been faced as a minor challenge. He had known the real sorrows of great conflicts, as the golden hosts of Valinor marched undefeated across the plains of Beleriand, while Arda was agonising for the wounds inflicted by both contestants. He was there, when Númenor reached its apex and its eventual fall, when Sauron tried to destroy the everlasting bond between Elves and Men, and when the strength of Men failed. Elrond would have absolutely done anything possible to put out the flames, before a greater fire devoured the entire forest. She sensed that the interventionist faction of the council might have prevailed, had a general agreement on similar propositions been found. At least, if Saruman had not opted for an intransigent line...

''The host has spoken true words. Let us examine all possibilities with careful diligence, being ready to put forward concrete plans for what we are to do in the nearest future. I don't seek for the imposition of my own views on others' opinions; yet I beg everyone to examine facts with the most acute sight. We can surely spend time debating the nature of our Enemy, provided that immediate action follows our talk. Idleness would be an ill-conceived conclusion. Ignoring an approaching storm doesn't offer one a shelter from its violent wrath. May this be plainly clear to doubtful minds.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: The_Necromancer0 am 5. Mär 2017, 22:38
"As always, Lord Elrond, your words are wise and full of good intentions. Perhaps, the words of Lady Galadriel are indeed true: no Man could wield such a terrible power nor would they be able to gather such a great host of foul creatures. However, my argument still stands, if this is not the work of a Man then it might be one of the accursed Ringwraith, perhaps even the Lord of the Nine but not that of the Enemy's "

It has now become clear to Saruman that he might have underestimated the power of the Wise. Galadriel had not been duped by any of the White Wizard's words, Gandalf still strongly opposed him, his beliefs rooted even deeper. Meanwhile, what little magic had made way to Elrond was now cleared by the Lady of Lorien. This may be harder than expected, usually his words are law but this is the White Council. He will have to do this the regular way, convincing the members with arguments rather than magic. A terrible waste of time, but necessary. Perhaps he could find some pleasure in this, after all it had been a very long time since he had a good debate.

"If we are to reexamine the evidence you have brought here in addition to Lady Galadriel's knowledge of magic, then it becomes obvious that this is the Necromancer is most likely one of the nine men who were enslaved long ago by Sauron. As long as the power of the One remains intact so does the power of the Nine, which grants them abilities similar to that of the Dark Lord."

His argument is quite weak, he realizes that. To many it will seem as a rushed change of heart but by building his idea slowly, it will hopefully to seem like nothing more but an honest mistake which he tries to rectify. Hopefully, it would not come to the worst...

Through the remaining hour, Saruman goes into great length diving deep into his own mind and exposing complex arguments to the other members. It is not a simple task and many times he sees Gandalf's face darken in doubt. The rain hammering on the roof is no help, it is a nuisance and he his tempted to disperse it but he knows that the use of magic to modify the weather would not please Elrond, the master of this land, so he merely continues talking. It is a long argument and goes on...
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 12. Mär 2017, 18:41
As the discussion progresses, the guests immerse themselves in forgotten arts and tales of a past which is no more...

ELROND: ''Is this what you are inferring then, His Excellency? Could an enslaved wraith perform that type of odious actions? Does that even comprise the marring of vast lands and the infestation of eerie ruins? Never have I found myself in front of such typology of magic from this kind of creatures; not even when their leader took possession of the icy North. Though evil powers operate via similar means, I'm still perplexed.''

Saruman gave a very feeble nod, as if that gesture were more a product of inertia, rather than convinced faith. On the other side of the marble-made table, the Lady of Light smiled imperceptibly and raised slightly her eyebrows, to convey all her puzzled sensations. But the articulated narration that their chief was trying to construct could not have restrained her from intervening in the exchange. She wanted to provide her position with solid evidences, along with memories from the intricate thread of Arda's time. Would have the Istar dared to refute the proofs of history itself?
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 13. Mär 2017, 00:53
How long and at what extent the White Wizard had been lingering in the shadows of the past she didn't know, nor was it possible to force him to confess which secrets he had found or had been intended to unveil. All revolved around the lost artefacts of the Second Age which had shaped and altered the fate of Middle-earth forever. Even in present times the Elves were reluctant to talk about those whispers of obscure times, lest sorrowful thoughts clouded their mind and darkened their spirit. Considering those mighty items as a disgrace would undoubtedly be a too misleading of a judgement though, since bliss and joy were too the fruits of Celebrimbor's mastery, even if they had equally mingled with destruction and tragedy. It happened, then, that Galadriel chose to have the debate eventually deal with the forgotten lore of the Rings of Power; if not willingly and overtly, she thought that the chief of that assembly would inevitably be obliged to face reality and give away part of the knowledge he had been recollecting so avidly until that moment.

That was thus the strategy. If animosity occurred as the discussion went on, that ought to be pardoned, for the sake of the World was too precious for most of the guardians to come up with dangerous compromises.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Fine am 13. Mär 2017, 09:24
"Ring-lore is your subject, Saruman, and thus I do not deem it my place to doubt your findings," said Gandalf. "Let us then account for the Rings of Power that still remain in Arda, to make sure we have not overlooked anything. The Three we know of, for they are in the hands of the Wise and are hidden, far out of Sauron's reach. The Seven he has most likely regained, if they were not consumed by dragon-fire as some dwarves have told me. The Nine are another matter entirely: We know that the Ringwraiths were defeated in the War of the Last Alliance, and scattered after their master's fall. But at least one of them has returned: The Black Captain, who became the Witch King of Angmar. And others were seen during the siege of Minas Ithil, which has since become an evil and gloomy place. But how do they persist if they do not posess the nine Rings of Men? The only locigal answer is, of course, that they still have them. So that would mean, that the Nine are also in the hands of the Enemy. That leaves us with the One... which was lost with Isildur, if my memory serves me correctly. Quite obviously, Sauron has not regained the Ruling Ring - otherwise we would know if. I did not feel its presence at Dol Guldur, even though I became aware of Sauron's Will, that manifested within that dark stronghold. If the One is found, it must be kept hidden from the servants of the enemy, lest he regains it. He must be searching for it, I reckon, and that is why we should attack him now, in order to disrupt him, and cleanse the Greenwood of his vile influence."
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 13. Mär 2017, 18:54
''Indeed, Saruman the Wise. If retrieving such far knowledge may aid our cause, I shall speak too. The curse of my kind; the stigma that the Eldar have borne with unceasing grief determines even now the course of present events. The story of those artefacts is a very sad tale. A tale of might, ambition, nostalgia, deceit and tragedy. And the Elves will never forgive themselves for their unintentional role in helping the Enemy further his dreadful schemes.''



It begins now the section of the meeting in which the guests are to address the ever-worrying Rings of Power (https://youtube.com/watch?v=UZd5WJ0EPiQ). Gandalf and Galadriel will finally have the real measure of Saruman's commitment to his personal and secretive 'research'; the discussion is to get progressively heated, just to culminate with the conclusive ballot and with the chief's final decision. That outcome and Gandalf's metaphorical rings of smoke are going to widen the wound of distrust towards the leader.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 2. Apr 2017, 15:22
(http://media.moddb.com/cache/images/groups/1/27/26045/thumb_620x2000/98e9bc9b-70fa-4a4d-a1af-dde48481bb07.gif)

''Three Rings, hallowed by the grace of the mighty Eldar, were forged by a legendary smith under the starred sky. Never had they been tainted by the malice of the Enemy and in them their creators poured the essence of the antiquarian spirit of my kind. An attempt to grant those artefacts the property of slowing the implacable progress of time, veiling anything we had crafted from decay. And decay is truly the doom which all inhabitants of this continent shall be ultimately bound to face. The craftsmen who had forged those miracles were gallant and proud those days, for they had also been told that the bliss of Eressëa or of Valinor itself was at hand. And they eventually fell prey of those disgraceful words. Words that had been spread by whom was then thought to be a noble traveller, aiding realms with his skills and offering his services.

Yet I, the Keeper of the Havens and the valiant High King had since the beginning forsworn friendship with that cunning guest. His suspicious manners betrayed his benevolent deeds, alongside boasting a knowledge which would have been forbidden for both mortals or immortals, unless the immortals were those who existed before all; before time and space themselves. Little did Celebrimbor know, however, that the schemes of the Enemy were to prove themselves much more pervasive and vicious than one could have expected. Not being marred by the arts of Sauron was not enough, alas, to save the Three from his grand design. A design of tyranny and subjugation, which he was ready to chain Middle-earth with. Because the three jewels of my people had nonetheless been crafted via an unknown formula that no one but the Enemy alone had knowledge of. Anything come into existence thanks to that lost art would directly or indirectly be subjected to the will of the mastermind who had by then been lurking in the shadows. With or without consent, tainted or pure, the Rings of Power would have responded to a sole master, should a dominating artefact have been forged too. As dominating as the ambitions of its very creator. As tyrannical as the three peaks of the Iron Fortress of the original Evil, which had been terrorising the Free People in the forgotten Elder Days of the World.

The formula was lost with Sauron though, and if one were to yearn the secrets surrounding it, that endeavour would be for naught.''

The White Wizard had been listening to those tales with unceasing attention, but the last remark of the Lady seemed to alter his firm composure.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 2. Apr 2017, 20:29
Galadriel concluded her digression and gave way to the other participants of the assembly.

''Only after the defeat of the Dark Lord could the Three be used for their true purpose. And, since then, the arts and deeds of our kind were preserved from the burdens of the World. The Elven Rings were hidden within our realms and so they still remain, until the fate of Arda is to elect a definitive course, sentencing the Three's survival or end. And I now ask that another of us be committed to continue narrating the lore of the Rings of Power, for the Rings of the Eldar are not our most pressing concern.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 6. Apr 2017, 14:56
(http://media.moddb.com/cache/images/groups/1/27/26045/thumb_620x2000/3923c6a7-193b-434b-a962-1e33174ef3ec.gif)

ELROND: ''Seven Rings were then given to the proud Lords of the Dwarves, whose wealth surpassed even the most benevolent tales that were told among the other races. Other people who not seldom would feel the bitterness of envy regarding a so prosperous of a condition. Pride and will to dig unto the deepest caverns of Arda, desiring to uncover the secrets of the World and take possession of its forbidden treasures. An industrious disposition which one might deem admirable, if not that this peculiar nature of the Dwarven kind was turned against them by the deceiving design of Sauron.

If I were to make the attempt to divine what the main schemes of the Enemy consisted of, that would probably turn out to be a vague endeavour, with consequent little avail for us. But we certainly know that there was a flaw in his plans; something he had not predicted nor expected. It happened that the Sons of Aulë managed to resist the malicious influence of their own artefacts, for magic didn't pierce their physical armour and they proved very much resilient to control. They weren't therefore turned in mere pawns of the Evil, although the Seven did mutate their spirit, nourishing and augmenting in an extreme fashion the Dwarves' longing for gold. And when gold is collected with obsession and madness, bad things are often to follow. Across the highest peak and the darkest pit, Durin's genealogy awakened shadows and summoned them at their door as a beacon of misadventures. Despite the valour and toughness, they soon discovered that more dreadful beings than Orcs tread the forsaken path of the abyss. Whether or not Sauron himself had been behind that unfortunate series of disasters is not known precisely, but it's instead our knowledge that four of the Seven were undone by the fire of Dragons and two were retrieved by the Dark Lord via war. Until the beginning of this council, at least. We have now been informed that the last of the Dwarven Rings fell in the hands of Sauron.

If Sauron or one of his enslaved lieutenants could make usage of the Seven against us, that I couldn't tell. Yet a minor evil is always an evil nonetheless.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 6. Apr 2017, 22:49
The meeting is suddenly interrupted by the arrival of Lindir, who brings words from envoys of Gondor.

ELROND: ''Those are matters we can deal with later. The inquiry of the Wise into the Rings of Power must continue.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Fine am 21. Apr 2017, 15:45
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Gandalf rose to his feet, seemingly unnerved by the recent matters of discussion.
"And what of the Nine?" he said, letting his gaze wander from Galadriel to Saruman. "They were given to the Kings and Rulers of Men, whose numbers are the greatest among the peoples of this world. Not even the Wise know about their identities - their names have long been forgotten. Under the influence of the Rings of Power, Men withered and became nothing more than wraiths: dark spectres, forever bound to Sauron's will, and to the Ruling Ring. For the Nine Rings precisely did what their Maker intended them to do: To enable Him to rule over them through the One. And by swaying them, he could yield domination over their realms and kingdoms."

Gandalf paused for a moment. He did not lightly speak on this topic, but in this very hour, it was too important to leave unmentioned.
"The Nine are lead by the greatest amongst their kind: The Black Captain, who became known as the Witch-king of Angmar. He fled the destruction of his dark stronghold in the North at the Hands of Glorfindel and Eärnur of Gondor, but he has taken Minas Ithil and turned it into a place of darkness and death, were the Nine now reside, if the tales from Gondor are to be believed. Sauron has the Nine Rings in his direct control. They are one of his most dangerous weapons."
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: The_Necromancer0 am 23. Apr 2017, 17:26
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As Gandalf sat, so did Saruman rise, for the first time during this meeting, for it was necessary that this moment look important if he was to lead them away from the foolish idea of assaulting Dol Guldur. Then laying his staff to rest against his chair he began his tale, made half of truth and half of lies to mislead the members of the Council but keep his true intentions secret.

Talking slowly he began to weave his plan into action: "Thank you Gandalf. As you mentioned the Nine are Sauron's most dangerous weapon," purposely twisting the words," but it was not always so. Before his fall, Sauron's near dominion of the world was brought forth using the power of an artefact he had himself created. One that even now he seeks to retrieve... you know of what I speak for it has many names, the Ruling Ring, the One Ring, the Great Ring of Power are a few among many other. In it, Sauron poured much of his power, his malice, his cruetly and his will to dominate all, with it his power is nearly unstoppable and many fell trying to stop it but it is now lost forever in the sea and he can never again regain it."

"However, I feared that he may try such a terrible feat again and so I gathered all that was related to the forging of magical rings in an attempt to counter the effect of such an achievement. And now, it is my duty to share that knowledge so that all may be able to prevent it if I was to be overcome. If the knowledge was to be lost then the terrible events that happened during the Dark Years would repeat all over again."

"In order to forge the Ring, Sauron had to put much of his power into it with it he became a warrior of terrible power in the same way that without he is but a shadow of himself. With its power he was able to raise his black tower from the ground and control the bearers of the Nine although the control of the Seven escaped him. It is with this same power that he subdued the men of the east and placed them under his dark dominion, transforming these peaceful nomads into a sword with which he strook at the forces of Good. Even the migthy Numenorans fell to his power, for fair he was to their eyes and his words were sweet to their ears. It wasn't until the Valar themselves plunged the isle into the sea that he was defeated."

"The Power of the One is now long gone, but its power endures keeping the Nine under His control. Therefore we must be ready to face against these foes which will show no mercy in their attempt to bring back their master's full strength."

Sitting back down, Saruman finishes his speech and motions to the envoy of Linhir to deliver his report. It is important to him that the council doesn't delve too much on a single fact but rather fly over many issues so as to talk a lot and take little action.

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Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 25. Apr 2017, 18:38
''Hearken, members of this council, for action ought to follow discussions and proclamations of intent. If we were to bandy words with each other, that would be a quite ill of an eventuality, I reckon. Yet, may this be very clear, I'm ready to back my propositions with vigour. The fate of the Free People is in our hands only.

As our little inquiry into the sad lore of the Rings of Power has been accurately exposed, I think that knowing the actual destiny of the ruling Ring would not be of so much avail for the actual state of things. What we have plain knowledge of is that the revenant Dark Lord of Middle-earth is now assembling his fell forces and much magical prowess within that ruined stronghold. Whether he's seeking for his lost artefact or he is to assault the surrounding territories in a sudden invasion, we can't tell. But a kind of very gruesome power is constantly gaining strength as time passes. Should we let it grow further, who shall assure us that we shall nonetheless be capable of halting its course, preventing the Evil from spreading chaos and terror. Inertia would be an ill-conceived decision; a wrong choice. Reality does show itself for what it really is. Eyes in the night. Menacing clouds storming on the other side of the river. My judgement could never be misled: Evil is in action. What are we going to do about it?''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 26. Apr 2017, 12:47
ELROND: ''How many concrete chances of success do we have, should an attack be launched against that fortress? I imagine that His Excellency has already thought about a possible strategy.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 26. Apr 2017, 12:54
''The hour is late, unfortunately. If we are to elaborate a military action, it's imperative that a mobilisation of forces be called now. Too many packs of Orcs lurk among the ruins of Dol Guldur''.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 26. Apr 2017, 13:26
As the climate of the meeting got thick of tension and as preoccupation intensified every minute, the solitary Grey Pilgrim interrupted those lucubrations on such anxious plans. This had always been a fear that had weighed on his heart greatly. An atavistic of an horror.

GANDALF: ''If I may, aren't we forgetting about another eventuality? What if the One Ring had not sunk into the seas? What if Sauron were conducting inspections and researches to gather information about his greatest deed's fate? We know that the ruling Ring fell with Isildur during the ambush at the Gladden Fields, nearly three millennia ago. That place does not lie very far from Dol Guldur, does it?''

Saruman's visage seemed to become tense and rigid. Was he too recollection information on those territories? The Lady's gallant sentinels had spotted some envoys from Isengard, journeying about the river in silence and circumspection. And Galadriel didn't miss the purpose of Gandalf's polite question.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 26. Apr 2017, 14:13
''Yes, Mithrandir, the Gladden Fields don't lie very far from Mirkwood. And yours is a well legitimate concern. The One having sunk into the vast oceans of this World seems to be a tale that spread rapidly, from a mouth to another, across the shires of the continent. An interesting theory, but a tale nonetheless; there are no evidences for this outcome to have actually taken place. It would also be very worrying to know that Sauron may have eventually got to discover more of his artefact's fate. My sentinels are always on the alert. We have not detected suspicious movements on our shore (where Isildur's sad end occurred); not yet, at least. Although that place does appear to have a certain proclivity in attracting people's curiosity...''

The last sentence made the chief of the Wise even more uneasy. But the Lady of Light sensed that they could have worked for things to follow the will of the majority. Circumstances required a resolute response to be given. She wanted to seize that opportunity.

''Gentle pilgrim, my mind knows that you are keen on giving your own contribution as well. Tell us, what is your true opinion on such a military course to be elected? Do you deem it proper?''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Fine am 26. Apr 2017, 14:23
"I most certainly do, noble Lady," said Gandalf. "And I urge you all to consider this: We must take action now, before it is too late. The orcish presence stationed at Dol Guldur will only ever grow stronger the longer we wait. Let us call upon our allies and gather a host strong enough to sweep through the Enemy's defences, cleansing this dark place once and for all. We must send word to the Woodland Realm, the inhabitants of the Anduin Vale and maybe even the Riders of Rohan. And of course, the Galadhrim of the Golden Wood will surely aid us, if their Lord and Lady suggest it, I reckon."

"I shall seek out my old friend Radagast the Brown, for he does not dwell far from the Hill of Sorcery and must know of the darkness that lingers there. And when all is ready, we must make our move. Time is short, even for the long-lived Firstborn amongst us! Lady Galadriel is right - the hour is late, and it will grow even later (and thus, darker) if we do not act. Send word to all who would lend their aid in the attack on Dol Guldur, and send it now. That is my advice."
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 26. Apr 2017, 20:13
ELROND: ''Such a troublesome history. Alas, events involving both shores of the Anduin have rarely been without strife and sorrow. Indeed, a great power grows stronger and bolder each day passing, and we don't even know whether the ruler of the ruined fortress might be a beacon for other types of foul creatures. The guards of this valley informed me that legions of Goblins are not to be seen, yet a sudden invasion from the pits and caverns of the Misty Mountains might always be a scenario we can't exclude completely. Especially, a coordinated attack on Lórien, in conjunction with Dol Guldur's forces, would pose a great risk for the Lady's domain. War on two fronts. And your people have already experienced the tragedy of war against the fell hordes of the mountains.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 26. Apr 2017, 22:45
DIGRESSION

Elrond, with his last remark, referred to a series of clashes between Lórien and the Goblins, culminated in a major battle along the northern shores of the Anduin. The war lasted just five years, but it nonetheless resulted in a bloody and strenuous confrontation. The deed is also recorded in the annals of Middle-earth's history as the Restoration of the Wood.

Around 2000 T.A., briefly after the coming of the new Lord and Lady of Lórien, packs of Goblins began to descend from the misty peaks that were their lair, occupying and raiding the fertile lands near the Anduin. Thus, Galadriel launched a campaign to cleanse the territories that lay north of the borders of Lothlórien, longing, also, to retrieve some of the lands that had been under the past rule of Amroth, the previous king of Lórien and of all the Galadhrim (when the very realm used to be broader in size, but less safe from the outer perils). Galadriel's plans and ambitions had to face the tenacity and cruelty of the enemies, who were then led by a sinister Goblin-lord that dabbled in some unknown arcane rituals. Under the brave command of Celeborn, the host of the Golden Wood took quickly control of the ground, fending off those foul opponents and chasing them unto the north of the river. Yet the Goblins were gathering legions from every corner of the Misty Mountains and were aided by giants too. The ultimate battle took place at the Old Ford, with the fierce resistance of the enemies being utterly vanquished, alongside most of them being exterminated in the aftermath. Their commander found that his dark magic had no effect on the Sindarin prince, and Celeborn slew the Goblin-lord after a violent duel.

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Given the utmost danger, Galadriel made extensive usage of her might over the weather of the World, manipulating meteorological phenomena to constantly storm the ranks of the Goblins. The people of the woods and the Horse Lords were terrified by such a magical display of power, so that tales of a terrible Elf-witch would be told among peasants and men of a higher lineage. As 100-150 years of relative calmness passed, the lands which were conquered by the valiant forces of Lothlórien were progressively abandoned. Galadriel's design had to face the inevitable and disenchanted reality of the Third Age, realising that it would not have been possible to grant the bliss within the Golden Wood to those external territories; the protection offered by Nenya could not be extended further, and the Lady had to renounce her ambitious proposition to widen her realm and to restore beauty out of the sacred woods she ruled. Traces and remnants of the war may still be found, since some commemorative statues representing Galadriel had been placed, which now lie in ruin as hidden relics throughout the forests and are covered by grass.

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Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 1. Mai 2017, 17:58
''Fell hordes crept from all pits and ravines. Caverns of dreadful creatures were unleashed against us. But the door was shut. Most of them were slain and their foul commander, who was acquainted with some sort of ghoulish cults, fell under the silver blade of the Lord of the Galadhrim.

Although I would be, alas, later compelled to leave the lands we had liberated from chaos and terror, never have Goblins dared to violate the borders of Lórien in the time to come. Albeit being on the alert and acknowledging the wisdom of your concern, dear Lord of Rivendell, I may quite divine that menaces from the mountains are something we should not be anxious for, lest transgressors hear again the violent rumble of the thunder and the furious howl of the wind.

The wood was not completely restored, as I wished and much longed, but the enemies dwelling in those peaks have certainly learnt to fear the power of my wrath!''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 5. Mai 2017, 18:13
ELROND: ''I feel we can't nonetheless exclude the risk of hostile manoeuvres being launched against the Free People of Middle-earth. My scouts and valiant explorers say that Goblins are growing bolder and are slowly replenishing their ranks, although they daren't yet to abandon their deep pits. Furthermore, vague voices from the North tell that something is in motion across the mountainous chain. It seems that deadly creatures are inhabiting again the cursed remnants of Angmar. But I don't dispose now of more detailed information from our dear allies. It must anyway be noted that Rangers conduct periodic inspections and are ever-vigilant; their reconnaissance is much precious for Rivendell.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 19. Mai 2017, 11:42
REMINISCENCE

The Lady recalls a talk she had had with one of the chiefs of the border patrol.

GALADRIEL: ''Please, valiant guard, come forth. My ears are much eager to listen to what has been happening in these grim days, along the ends of Mirkwood.''

PATROL: ''My noble ruler, many things occurred in the vicinity of those woods. Albeit feigning calmness and quietness, we do know that the malicious presence residing within the eerie fortress is fostering even more fear and anxiety across the broad land. But, my Lady, this is not what has indeed caught our attention.''

G: ''I know. Your thoughts are open to me. The gathering shadows in Mirkwood are not something new to our knowledge; according to the task I appointed to him, the Grey Wizard is soon to pierce the veil of deceit and seek for the solving of the mystery. Nevertheless, I do sense that you have a more pressing information to share. Go on.''

PATROL: ''Agents from Isengard were spotted nearby the Gladden Fields, next to our northern borders. It seems they're searching through the shores of the river. What they aim to find, we can't unfortunately tell.''

G: ''I see. The White Wizard is tempering with his pure colour, from which different shades of brightness and shadow now originate. Traits and tones difficult to fathom, as his very mind.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 5. Jun 2017, 12:27
The Lady opted for hidden words to be spoken. A warning she wanted to give; the Grey Wizard had to know.

''Mithrandir, I hope you may recall. Those far voyages of our chief's servants along the river. I sense he's in search of something he unceasingly longs, while he gathers secretive knowledge in the halls of his dark tower. He might be keen on delaying possible actions and so on hindering our just propositions. Trust in him I have almost completely run out of. Ill-wishing was the day in which he was crowned head of the Wise by this council.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 8. Jul 2017, 01:48
And then, at the heated moment, the White Wizard decides to speak and make his cause manifest to the whole council.

SARUMAN: ''I may see that many have been your addresses, members of this assembly, and even pleas for an immediate action to be elected. But I also sense something else, if my mind is not clouded by the spirited atmosphere of this meeting and the raging consent that you would like me to give; for war. For war...

An intention to bandy words with one another. To create unrest where there is none. To sway my thoughts into the claws of an assault, against a foe who hides himself within the ruined pits of that old fortress. Magic? This world is all home to magic, and this a wizard who pleases himself with journeying and a mighty Elf-maiden should know very well. A force which any will might bend and use for its own purposes. The illness, as you have named it with sudden judgement, is nothing else than the schemes of this unknown sorcerer, as they fight to claim a place in these lands. But it's a forlorn hope and desire, for such a feeble and secretive shadow shall never come forth to contest the open air. Eerie and unpleasant it might certainly be, yet not that pressing of a menace to plan operations on the other shore of the river, with no plans at hand so far. And, if you have vivid memory of my words, I still believe that only a great power is capable of keeping the Evil at bay, provided that the threat is an imperative one; a grave risk and the utmost emergency. This is not the case of ours, my fellow members of the Wise. And even in the case of agreement on the matter you have just presented, should I actually believe that Sauron did return in Middle-earth and that he took that stronghold as his dwelling, never would I be in favour of a rushing approach of this kind; rushing and in truth very precipitate. Yes, he is the sole who has the possibility, skills and means to reclaim the other lost Rings of Power, and to command the hideous wraiths, over whom he boasts total control. I'm nonetheless not convinced that he is, or that he could be, up to this design; instead of the terrible Dark Lord that he once embodied, he should now be deemed in the proper way: a powerless phantom, which would surely have great advantage and much interest into spreading chaos across this territory.

Gandalf, your hasty and improvised foray in Dol Guldur is not enough to force my hand. How could you ever take that decision without prior counselling? If you had come to me in the first place, I would have disclosed things to you as they truly are, sparing you great peril and a confrontation with an unknown enemy endowed with foul prowess. However, since I may see how keen you are on trying to justify and prove, I would ask you to tell me more of the fight in the dungeons of the ruined fortress. Because gathering information is often a wiser choice, than being about to call for arms and to prepare for the mobilisation of our forces. Please, tell.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 8. Jul 2017, 10:24
But, before the Grey Pilgrim could respond to his higher-in-rank fellow Istar, the Lady of Light intervened, swift and sudden as the breeze in the heat of the summer, or as an unexpected storm in a hot day of drought.

GALADRIEL: ''It was me. It was me who swayed the wizard's mind. He had sought for my counsel and I gave him my advice. Late was the hour, chief of the Wise, and from the head of this council very little interest had been shown up to that moment. His mind was wandering through other thoughts, different from his duties. And the evil source inside that fortress was not wasting time, and every day its fell presence would get more and more evident. We thus needed answers, White Wizard. Answers that only via direct action we could have had; and not by faltering wait or a shy attitude, locked in our strongholds and immersed in ancient studying of an uncanny sort. Mithrandir has thus passed the ends of my woods for his mission. To disperse the veil of fog and to have the riddle finally unveiled. And we did unveil it, I say. The 'human sorcerer who dabbles in dark magic' is in truth the revenant Sauron, returned in Middle-earth and willing to drag this world into another night of desperation, for none of his deeds is loose and without a defined scope. And a scope he now has indeed, for the regaining of part of his past might. And all this time we have been ignorant and defiant, because one is very rarely convinced that a menace from old days could ever pave its way again to reality; a reality of artificial and unnatural calmness, to which we have unfortunately got used too much quickly. And things are boding ill, head of the council, and worse they will get, if we don't act and if our inertia becomes our fixed approach to the matter. May I also say and point out vigorously that, in light of the facts hitherto brought as evidence, an evidence that can't be denied, Mithrandir is not to be blamed for his genuine curiosity and will to keep watch over the happenings of this world. He is a guardian. And guardians don't isolate themselves from their tasks, but ever-vigilant they stay, in fortune and bad fate. Deciding not to fulfil our duty would be an arrant mistake; a grave sin from our part, given the evident involvement of Sauron and of the Rings of Power, that are not at all forgotten by the Evil and always attract the intention of the marred spirits. May I also remind the assembly that Dol Guldur lies near my realm, right on the other shore of the Anduin; my domain would thus be the first to suffer a sudden assault. This is something a good strategist and leader ought not to forget.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 8. Jul 2017, 22:48
SARUMAN: ''And the good strategist knows also this, Lady of Lothlórien, that foolish and not useful is an attempt that brings no result. A waste of thought and energy. Because war must be planned carefully and with every means at disposal of the one who longs to embark on such a task. Recollecting information and evidences is as relevant as the fighting in the open field. Henceforth, it follows that our current knowledge is not enough to launch an assault, along with the real entity of the threat: tell me, my guests, how many kings up to this moment had to defend their realm against this hypothetical menace, which you vehemently deem dreadful and deadly? How many kingdoms were seriously in danger? Well, I shall answer for you. None! Simple and plain. For incursions and snares in an old forest are not the decisive evidence to reveal the existence of this very gruesome of an enemy, as you regard it. And I forward again the same words, in that Sauron may have indeed paved his way to this world again, yet no peril he is! No imperative bane, nor terror or cruel death. His might vanished away after the the battle with the two monarchs, at the slopes of the volcano. His One Ring was lost in the waters of the Anduin, wavering and encircling many lands of this continent. Research would be in truth vain, should the artefact have finally been led to the depths of the great sea. Yes, the Ruling Ring is no more, his destiny having being ended along the shores of the Gladden Fields. The territories you much longed to have under your rule, Elven Queen, but that you then failed to retain. That I would really name a vain attempt.

My studying and interests should not also be a concern of yours, since my mind is ever-rekindled by arts of an ancient kind; ancient, of course, and never uncanny. The immersion in the past is not only solace or curiosity, but also precious knowledge. Knowledge that might be used for the good and for the betterment of many people's lives. This is the true approach; a just approach of whom really seeks to undergo a very hard test. The certainty of victory and success, which we lack now and you even seem to disregard. That is the arrant mistake and of a flawed strategy the very scheme. Unless you manage to provide more proofs and consistent reasons to move my spirit towards your vision; unless you actually succeed in proving that this new enemy is ready to attack and to mar the lives of all in Middle-earth. A sorcerer who relies on the company of lesser beasts and scattered Orcs gathered in the vicinity of that fortress. Not so much of a frightening tyrant, am I right? Where are the legions of this Eerie Lord? His commanders, apart from shadows and wraiths which belong to another era? Where are they, Gandalf and Lady Galadriel of noble composure? As I said, he is a phantom, leading a phantom-army and posing a phantom-threat, against whom I shall not mobilise the mighty devices of the Wise. Not now, not ever. And, whether you wander in doubt and still question my counsel, be it sufficient for you to know that many of your valiant soldiers would be spared, as well as the serenity of the woods and of the course of the river.

But, don't halt your speech, Gandalf the Grey. Tell me what you faced within the pits of that ghoulish lair. I would really like to clarify the nature of that type of magic, which you indicated as the venom that is choking Mirkwood and attracting there the creeping shadows of the night.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 12. Jul 2017, 19:22
GANDALF: ''Chief of the Wise, there is no intention to bring malaise or false accusations to the sanctity of this honourable assembly, yet the hour is of the utmost note for us and the issue of all seems everyday to get graver in entity. This is a fact that we cannot deny for sure, unless the very truth is at peril and lies begin to be spread even among the noble members of this council. Isn't it? And my peregrinations, in which I have hitherto put and in good will poured all my effort, were in no case wasted time, Saruman. This I can admit and assess without doubt or second thoughts of any sort. Therefore, I hope our concerns will not be dismissed so much easily, by the wise guide who is instead supposed to lead us in the just direction. The Evil within that fortress can only grow stronger and more hideous as time passes and as stars complete their cycles in the sidereal void of Eä. It is an inevitable of a fate and a predictable destiny, for all dark forces have not shown a different behaviour so far, and, as the wiseman knows well, things tend to repeat and history is much likely to start going round as a wheel, presenting again already-seen schemes and dynamics to which we should be, at this time, very much acquainted. You may also pardon my tone, but I strongly believe that one must be convinced, that the illness must be uprooted quickly and with the fiercest resolve it ought to be vanquished for the good, lest a mistake might cause an unpredictable escalation of events. And the past has vividly shown us how mistakes are not very easily forgiven in this world.

You ask for proofs and evidences, and I shall provide you with what you need know. I shall narrate the foul encounter that befell in the eerie dungeons of Dol Guldur. Not a simple stronghold of common fashion, as some have said, nor a tomb filled with ruins and remnants which Middle-earth would gladly do without. No, my Lord, that is a lair and a prison! A gaol for every free soul and torture even for the most resilient mind. Forgotten by the present, cursed and inhabited by demons of a wide-ranging kind. This is what one will find there; no less, no more. And I had already entered those somber gates once, almost a millennium ago, when that very fortress had attracted by attention for not specified reasons, and I had then headed there, while I sensed that the great force that had set me on that path was escaping from my sight. But, suffice it to say that a presence dwelt in that stronghold, and of this fact I could not be more certain. Unto my last coming to Dol Guldur, months ago. Something I shall never forget, nor will the experience of such a dramatic meeting ever become a dim remembrance of mine, given that I contested the very Evil that night, fending off the danger and managing to flee from that disgraceful place. All started with curiosity and the mission to make a thorough enquiry into the secret of those marred woods, as the murmurs of the people living in the surroundings have become too loud to be exactly defined as a feeble request for aid; it was rather a cry of desperation and sorrow, caused by the horrid transformation of those one-time green forests into obscure ways infested by snares and terrible beasts. How could I have ignored that plea? How could I have denied the sound logic and sincere reason of the Lady of Lothlórien, whose far-sighted knowledge is well renowned across the shires of the continent? I couldn't have. Simple and plain. Hence, disguised and veiled by a spell which prevented hostile eyes from realising that I had arrived, I was into the wolf's lair, and all seemed strange and very much uncanny at the first sight. Because, as I had passed unscathed the road up to the ruined castle, there was no need to worry about secrecy anymore, once I found myself in front of those robust gates. Everything was still and those remnants seemed to have been left untouched by any living force, if not for the action of time that moulded shapes and stone rendered dust; no one was there to patrol. No vigilant guard, nor legions or our unknown enemy unmasked. Silence reigned supreme and was pervasive all over the place. And after a quick inspection, I thus made the most tragic of the discoveries: a Dwarven lord, made weary by the ongoing flow of days and led to madness by means of torture. He was on the verge of death, but he nonetheless recognised me at the last moment, and I did then have the possibility to know something more of his unfortunate story. Yes, one of the Seven Lords he was, and of one of the Seven Rings he had been the mighty bearer; yet his Ring of Power was no more, snatched away from his possession and hewn out of his mauled finger. Doubt thus took me, whilst living force was abandoning the royal Dwarf, and dread began to cloud my mind and I eventually got to grips with the real risk I was to face; my life in serious jeopardy. Even though the hazardous situation I had put myself into didn't refrain me from completing the task, as to what concerned the very sake of Middle-earth. My mouth therefore started speaking spells, in order to lift that treacherous concealment that kept the fortress hidden and seeking to unearth the true identity of that malicious source. All of a sudden, packs of wolves and legions of hideous Orcs surrounded me, aimed to cage me in the deepest dungeon and to halt my imperative mission; my magic was too powerful for them to stay on my way, however, and so it followed that I was very close to leaving that disgraceful place and reaching safety in the outer vastness of the woods. Only, it was at that time that the mysterious sorcerer came forth, with no physical fashion nor a humanoid visage. He was just a wide and thick mist of malice, dark as the night and lacking even the smallest gleam of light. Indeterminate was his shape, but not his will and evil purposes, as his thoughts ran wild along the mazes of my mind. Resurgence, vengeance and the domination of all forms of life in this world. And then the battle had beginning, the fight between our two essences. Light against sheer darkness. At the heated second of the confrontation, his shape shifted and revealed a new figure veiled by fire, resembling a fiery lidless eye which always stands on the alert and yearns the object of its obsession with unceasing desire. And my forces were waning and defeat seemed to be my very next future, until Hope rekindled my heart and gave me strength once more, so that I was able to repel the foe for a moment and get out safe from Dol Guldur.

I am here, now, blessed by events and with the firm resolution to end this threat, for I withstood the foulest enemy of all in that fortress: Sauron, the revenant Dark Lord, who intends to drag this continent to another war and renewed darkness. This time, for our great misfortune, the grand kingdom of Men is suffering from stagnating inertia and the absence of the solely legitimate heir to the throne, alongside the valiant Noldor of the West having departed in large number from these mortal shores. In this state of generalised weakness and idleness, Saruman, it is not necessary for him to regain the tenure of his Ruling Ring, since his powers are destined to be broadened by terror and magical arts, as he's recollecting what was once lost. If we do not act, in less than 200 years Middle-earth might be under the cruel and ruthless rule of the Lord of the Rings, whether the One Ring will have ultimately been retrieved or not.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 17. Jul 2017, 17:13
SARUMAN: ''Do not let yourself be tricked by snares, Grey Wizard. I know the true fashion of a terrible kind of magic and the menace it could pose for us all. Even if the very craftsman of the Rings of Power were again, as you said, the grave depiction of things that you presented I can't accept. I don't see anything reasonable and logical in it, Gandalf! Without the One, Sauron is more or less harmless and inoffensive. Jettison your usual suspicious thoughts and do also without the mere illusions you beheld in that fortress; how could a powerless ghost be remotely superior to an Istar? How could a member of our mighty order be rendered captive by such an entity, which I call an empty shell, as it is. I wouldn't read too much into your own peregrinations, for they have hitherto done nothing else but bring trouble to our doorstep. And, what kind of factual evidences do they have to offer? Tell me, have you perhaps seen legions of Orcs ready to assault one of the grand kingdoms of this continent? Did you behold an army? Did you have proofs of a host being assembled in order to attack us in the most sudden of the ways? Did you, Grey Wizard? Because I am doubtful and much sceptical; I do not know what to make of, out of the things you feel so sure to assess. May you know that I studied a lot and consulted very ancient sources from chapters of Middle-earth's history that are for most of the living completely unknown; old and consumed pages, covered by the dust of the past, which nonetheless reveal a good deal of wisdom, and plenty of precious insights into the lore of those forgotten times. And I am much acquainted with that lore, and in no way do I intend to submit the truth of my vast knowledge to the judgement of others. Others who prefer the breeze and uncertainty of long journeys, or secretive monarchs who hide themselves from the rest of the World and still continue keeping secrets. No, I shall not doubt the certainties I have gathered so far.

I shall not also permit to call for the preparations of our forces. Declaring a war is something that ought to be pondered in the most thorough way, well knowing that our resources and overall capacity are limited. As well as the scopes for a victorious outcome. Every wasted and ill-calculated effort is a vain effort. What we can't afford. And armies are not pawns that could be easily moved and made usage of at will. We are not all pilgrims, who care little about the ensemble. A leader has precise responsibilities. A sort of oath sworn on the behalf of the many. You need consider this, members of the council, even though you strive so vigorously to force my hand.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 20. Jul 2017, 16:31
GALADRIEL: ''Yet to the leader the duty to act has been too appointed, and even the responsibility of failure and inactivity is to be his proper fault. A lack of wisdom and sight, too fatal and unforgivable for a position of such a sort, depending the lives of many on his sole judgement.

White Wizard, you may believe that the One Ring is now lost in the deep blue of the sea and that waves brought it far away from the fate of this continent. And you may even believe that the Enemy is not what he seems to appear, and that no worrying threat is at the moment menacing the peace of the free shires. But facts speak with the plainest and clearest voice, Saruman, my powers are denied entrance to that fortress and I everyday perceive the pending darkness which grows day by day mightier. I trust Mithrandir with the utmost confidence, for none of his deeds in life could ever be deemed without a just scope. He saw the revenant Evil in those dungeons, and good luck made it so that he was able to flee from that hell. Every potential peril should be dealt with in the most resolute of the ways, and even more if the said danger derives from the Dark Lord himself. Swords must be wielded, plans must be made and an assault must be given concrete existence, for the sake of success and the safety of our entire endeavour.

Yes, Chief of the Wise, I'm talking about Sauron, the bane of Men and the sudden death that would terrorise my people in the Elder Days. You should be very much acquainted with these tales, shouldn't you? You ought to know what mankind and the immortal kind suffered due to the snares of Morgoth's deadliest servant. The gruesome horrors he managed to summon in those sorrowful times, and his ghoulish magic which only Love itself was capable of undoing. Then, the Second Age of this World was marred by the deception of his obscure design; the sad lore of the Rings of Power and how my kind was disgracefully lured into such a treachery. And the desperation of the mightiest Men in seeing their glorious island sinking in the great sea, for an arrogant monarch refused the counsel of the good and instead turned his ears to words to which he should never have paid attention. Until victory was determined at the slopes of Mount Doom, in the midst of the bloodiest battle of those years. And the Evil was unfortunately given a chance to linger in this world and again cast its shadow on our sunny days. I know this, Saruman, for I lived in those dim days and I was there to witness when all befell. I have knowledge of Sauron's true kind. This books and ancient maps covered by dust will not tell you.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 23. Jul 2017, 21:22
SARUMAN: ''Do not hold me in such a lesser consideration, Lady of Lothlórien. Do you think I am not aware of the dreadful history that goes along with the Dark Lord and his deeds in Middle-earth? Terrible deeds, of course, yet grand and mighty without a doubt, whose fashion we shall not experience another time in this era. An era which you deem in error grey and doomed; but I have other thoughts. It is an era of chances and multiple possibilities for the races that could live up to the challenge. You seek to paint an unvarnished grey portrait, and much tedious, when the real depiction is instead full of colours and shades. The shades pertaining to will, cunning and arts.

And in this very era we should thus strive and utilise our own resources better, instead of wasting precious energy in vain plans or in very unlikely situation, as you are advocating now with much passion. The One is lost amidst the waves of the vast sea. Lacking its possession results in Sauron, or whoever is hiding behind that mask, having whatever scheme of return hampered and headed to failure. I know this. The arcane secrets of the past disclosed the truth to me; the nature of such artefact that many of your kind, Galadriel, had failed to come to grips with at that time. Books and ancient tales do have something to tell to the one able to grasp. To the one who doesn't fear knowledge nor the understanding of the World. Because, members of this assembly, fortune aids the astute being and the forces of antiquity offer their service to the wise explorer.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 26. Jul 2017, 00:24
Although the recent shift in the chief's mind was something predicted long time before, the Lady was appalled by the very words of whom had been appointed to be the leader of the Wise. The imperative head and commander that anything wrong should have made right. Imperceptible murmurs were again spoken softly, in a manner that only the Grey Pilgrim could have perceived.

GALADRIEL: ''I may see it clearly now, Mithrandir. His mind is stuck on that recurrent, almost obsessive, desire. The One Ring and the forgotten lore of the lesser artefacts of the Elven Smith of the Second Age. And, while we are exchanging intense judgements and dense thoughts, the darkness in that fortress is growing stronger and bolder. Sauron is scheming in the obscurity of his lair. I can't foretell exactly the moment in which his plans shall be ready to be given concrete existence. It might be a year, or a century too. But it doesn't matter much, for in short time he will be at the head of an army and the menace will have then become a gruesome reality to cope with. Or, even if not intended to launch a sudden attack, he could always seek to interfere with the peace of these lands and sabotage our own efforts in numerous ways; every hazardous and troublesome occasion might be a proper occasion for the Dark Lord. We must watch over this territory. We must not indulge in vain deeds.

The guidance of our chief is no more. His fallacious mind is clouded by doubts, fear and longings of a kind which is difficult to fathom. Immersed in the past; he yearns to know more of its secrets. A forlorn hope, in truth.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 26. Jul 2017, 13:07
GANDALF: ''Saruman, lingering in the shadows and idleness are not the wise decisions that a true leader should opt for. You might be jeopardising the chances of the Good to keep this world safe and secure. Our own world, which we much love and it is the utmost preoccupation for us all. The safety of all; this we should all cherish, and thus we ought to act in the best of the ways to achieve our own tasks and fulfil our own duties.

Conceding and concessions to the Enemy can only make our fate bode very ill. I'm very much worried about that. If my journeys have brought to my attention a very apparent of a truth, it is that menaces should never be given the chance to become real, lest nightmares turn into dreadful losses and all shall hear the mournful cry of desperation that Middle-earth was very used to in the past. The past should tell you this as well, for sorrowful memories live eternally in the remembrances of the World. A cry that says and gives advices of crucial significance for whom is able to interpret them in their proper meaning. Thousands of corpses rot in the ghoulish marshes of the East and a terrible word of caution they seem to give: should you let malaise grow without reacting in some ways, you shall eventually pay the consequences of such a decision, for the Evil never forgives its opponent's faults and mistakes. Orcs don't know piety and mercy, nor is Sauron acquainted with the existence of magnanimity. He only knows the chains of captivity and the sad condition of servitude, in which too many were in past centuries of obscurity. The threat is real and nothing will convince me of the opposite, ruling Istar. As I told you, I beheld the Lord of the Rings in those dungeons and Middle-earth still bears the wounds of the crimes it had to suffer. This is the grudge of the World, Saruman, open your eyes and may your sight be not bewitched by other stringent propositions of yours.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 29. Jul 2017, 17:28
SARUMAN: ''And I suppose you deem yourself a very good of an interpreter, Gandalf the Grey. Am I not right? I believe that you boast the presumption to know what history has to offer as testimony to the World. You don't trust in my rule and guidance, as you have shown already in other occasions. Your opposition may be silent in words and speech, yet apparent in your very acts. You constantly flout my authority via the most diverse means. As I had advised you not enter the ways of that dangerous fortress, and you instead opted for the wrong proposition. I'm not surprised anymore, however, for never have I ever tried to convince you of the opposite, Gandalf. You seek to draw a negative depiction of me, but I always strived to respect different views and to give one the liberty of a wide margin of action. Too wide, I imagine.

And my knowledge you doubt too, this being quite an offence towards my honourable composure and status among the other wise guests of this assembly. You cannot rely on the great discoveries I made throughout my strenuous studying of old tales and forgotten annals of Middle-earth. You don't seem to have confidence in my grasp, when I tell you that no grand realm of this world faces the threat of an assault from the southern woods of Mirkwood. Why don't you just manage to realise that we are in front of an illusion? The Dark Lord is master of sham images and deception. He knows very well how to inspire bad judgement in one's mind. He lost his powers an era ago, and he shall never have them back at all. All was sunk in the depth of the sundering seas of the West. His One Ring is lost in the blue and none of these shores may nurture the forlorn hope to be in its possession again. Even if he's hiding within the ruined walls of that lair, he is a phantom and nothing more. You don't know what entails to wage war and mobilise the forces of our strong armies. You yearn war and of this I can't fathom the meaning. We do not need war in these times of great change. We do not need chaos nor confusion. There is much that the arts of Elves and Men could craft for the new era that is about to begin. You long to frustrate this peaceful progress, and this I shall not allow.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 30. Jul 2017, 20:16
GALADRIEL: ''White Wizard, this era is indeed to end in some ways. Yet the Third Age of Arda shall not vanish before an ultimate contest which is going to determine the fate of all. A final judgement for these times, in which each of us shall be summoned and requested to play its part in the tale. Whether future shall bode ill or well, this is to be revealed at the very late hour.

Clouds gather on the horizon and a storm is assembling its wrath in a faraway sky. Yet you, Saruman, refuse to behold the visage of truth in the eyes. You hide behind idleness and doubts that leaders ought not to have. We are in peril, and the strong wind of war shall hit swift and merciless. What shall decree the end of this disenchanted millennium are blood and toil.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 2. Aug 2017, 17:45
ELROND: ''I don't believe that bitter talk could aid our mission, noble guests. If not, it would hamper our propositions and result in an advantage for the Enemy. I don't deem such bitterness very much helpful in this situation of need. We need be calm and analyse every possible scope for remedying the danger approaching. I'm sure that a just solution might be found. It is not the time to quarrel and the hour commands that a decision be taken for the sake of Middle-earth in its entirety. This is our imperative duty and we should therefore set out with the proper will to overcome division. Let us not be hindered by our divergence of opinions. We should envisage a sort of compromise. This council was founded not for empty words and vague discussions; we must take the lead and act in the most efficient way. Only by this definition can this institution be of positive usage for our intentions. May this be very clear and of the prime importance. Idleness is seldom a wise counsel.

Saruman, from my part I feel like trusting the words of concern of Gandalf and of the Lady. If that foul encounter in the dungeons of Dol Guldur has exactly taken place as we were told, we are to face an imminent menace. Sauron should not be underestimated in any way! For that would be an unpardonable mistake, of which we would certainly pay the harsh toll.

I was there. In the ravine of Mordor, at the slopes of Mount Doom. I saw the last High King of the Noldor being crushed and succumbing to the power of the One. I saw the rule of Men being shattered and on the verge of destruction. I shall never forget the gruesome power that we battled, in those very grim times. This world was about to be doomed and forever subjugated by an evil tyrant. And I beheld the fallacy of Men again, when the One Ring was given the chance to persist. Because this is the nature of Sauron's inner essence: he never rests, if not for gaining precious time to unfold the obscure plans of his grand design. He is cunning as none in this world. The people of Arda has learnt this and very much suffered the fell consequences of his deeds.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 3. Aug 2017, 01:22
GALADRIEL: ''Compromise is found only in good will and clear thoughts. But a compromise is often a decision that lacks the spirit of action and the determination to succeed in one's own propositions. We can't opt for the path of compromising. We must be ready to take the necessary risk that the quest entails. No challenge is without a risk. No grand and perilous deed is without the hazard of the case. A wise soul will act in conformity of his enlightened mind, yet always knowing the insidious trap of idleness or still inertia. This I want this council to hearken: that the foe we are to contest is the most dreadful nightmare that could ever occur to anyone. During these long and quiet centuries of peace, we have lowered our guard too much; the door is in fact open for the foul demons of that nightmare to spread and wreak havoc in this weary era. Aye, White Wizard, this era is weary and plagued by toil. Its fatigues will not vanish on their own, as you depicted in your daydream, a moment ago. The hearts of the Free People shall be rekindled once again, as I hope, as long as this horror from the ancestral past of Arda is finally to be annihilated.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 3. Aug 2017, 22:22
GANDALF: ''Saruman, there is no intention to spread animosity and ill-spirited emotions in this assembly. But we are not here to see ruin getting closer while we do nothing to hinder this course.

I don't really know how one could remain so adamant in his own convictions, when we need be resolute and strive to reach the goals we have indicated as our imperative mission for the very sake of Middle-earth. The Istari have reached the western shores of this continent with a paramount intent in mind, which is to set a careful watch over all lands of these insecure ways and to avoid the Evil being bold enough to make an attempt of returning in this world. And the fell forces of the World know indeed much and dispose of the most numerous means to grow unnoticed and unbeknownst to the most. It is via deception that Sauron hid in the vast forests of the East, waiting for centuries in a ruined stronghold forgotten by the knowledge of the common man. He took advantage of our weaknesses, which are apparent in this exact moment still. He was given the chance to acquire strength again. He is now to prepare for the war. He is the one who blows the winds of conflict against us.

We are not here to point the finger or to accuse someone in particular. We are not the ones who desire to impose a bellicose nature on our plans. It is the grave situation that has put this council in front of the plain state of things.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 23. Aug 2017, 18:21
SARUMAN: ''And it is always you, Gandalf the Grey. This plain state of things that you often refer to is nothing more than speculations of yours. In that, as it is manifest to many in Middle-earth, you enjoy wandering around the ways of this world and to go in search of uncanny riddles throughout lands and hills, and peaks and unknown villages of rustic people, whose acquaintance you seem to cherish more than your prime tasks as an Istar of my order. And your quest is in most of the cases a vain one, as you seek for issues to discover and unearth, instead of focusing on solutions with which you may mend what is flawed or defective in some ways. And I honestly suspect that these actions are not lone and solitary; I don't believe in this lonesome casualness of happenings. For it might be that you long for forging situations of mess, if only to show up and appear, presenting yourself as the remedy of the daily troubles of this continent's inhabitants. In a wish and improper attempt to collide with my guidance and to go past the head of all wizards in this world. And it doesn't matter if yours is disruptive dynamism or if Radagast the Brown prefers to stay in his personal idleness. You are both flouting whom you should instead follow and consult. This is the plain state of things: very few in this council deem me a wise leader and my rule is thus questioned. A consequence of many years of scheming in the shadows and working for the weakening of my position.

Gandalf, open your eyes and widen your sight! The guarding of this world cannot be entrusted to heated feelings or hurrying of any sort. It doesn't work this way. Defence is built on the founding premises that the defender boasts all the means to obliterate the foe when the latter wishes to come out of his lair. Hence, what matters is attention and a constant and patient studying of the manners of the enemies, unto the hour of attack and victory. And no possible menace is to pose such a sudden and worrying threat; I may concede that the Dark Lord may have come back from his long exile among the shadows of Middle-earth, but the One Ring is now gone for good. The tale of all the Rings of Power that we previously recalled is a lost one, which I don't wish to make actual again, as you accuse me. You are making it actual, via the continuous blabbering of sham perils and disastrous outcomes. The artefact is instead gone, carried by river to the ending of the mortal soil. Thus the answer: the Dark Lord may still remain wherever he wants to, because time, the sheer passing of time, won't give him back his past prowess.

Whilst the grand reign of Gondor strives to contain the ambitions of old rivals, you would like to divert the general effort of our forces from the real and problematical challenges, towards your own theories which you are much fond of, according to which Sauron is to prepare a general assault on the Free People in short time. It's because you don't have a clear grip of the world, lesser fellow. You just long for unrest to befall, so that what you theorised may be proved right and wise. And about your wisdom I seriously doubt.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 25. Aug 2017, 19:09
GALADRIEL: ''Studying the manners of the enemies? How long for, White Wizard? How long should one indulge in patient studying and observing? Years, centuries or even millennia? Or the amount of time that is necessary to you to actually become one of the foes yourself?

The line you have elected can only bode very ill for us all. This I tell you in plain openness and sincerity. It is facts that speak for themselves and hand to us the exact representation of what is happening as we are conversing with each other. A leader is entrusted with the duty to guide and to solve issues that might be on his way; this means that preventing troubles from worsening is also very wise in equal terms, because the good guide knows when peril is getting closer and how it is best to combat it for the good. And the decent leader knows well his foes, it is true, but never via unproductive observation or obsession for the arts of whom he is supposed to defeat. He already knows his opponent, as history has shown his real colours and the extent of the threat he could pose for the world. A wise leader also takes time to travel and visit whom he rules over and leads; and, should not be possible due to numerous factors, he at least cares about the existence of the most common of the people, sending envoys to make them aware of himself and gathering news from the very lands of Middle-earth. The good ruler shows the foremost apprehension, when such a revenant foe decides to return and acquire strength for a new war. This the good leader does.

This you should have done, chief of this assembly, instead of locking our fates into your black tower and sending your servants in mission at the ends of my realm.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 15. Sep 2017, 18:26
ELROND: ''Fellows, authoritative companions of mine, exchanging harsh words won't avail the mission we have been appointed to. I perceive that the tone of our discussing may have got too far, away from our intent and imperative scope. We have not been gathered here to bandy words with one another. I beg you; none of whom we desire to aid would ever like the sight of this sort of contest. Fierce battle ought to be spared and saved for the enemies only. And I'm certain that we all do what we may do, to stick to the path we have set ourselves on. A path difficult to journey through, I concede, yet never should the aleatory case and fate lead us astray. Faltering is a luxury we don't dispose of, at the moment. A grim moment. Times that require unity and a very firm mind. I thus ask that all solutions be forwarded in the clearest of the manners. Then, we are to judge what fits best the needs of this assembly, in hopes that the definitive decision will be fruit of thoughtful debate.

Saruman, I infer and dare say that there are very few doubts regarding the nature of our common enemy. The Enemy, as one should better tell. And I may confirm and state again the words of the Lady and Gandalf, because I was there myself, at the slopes of the Volcano, holding high the banners and flags of the lost might of the Noldor; serving Gil-galad the Great, last of the series of legendary kings. And I beheld the terrible spectacle when the hope of Men was near destruction and when the gallant Elven monarch found atrocious death by the direct act of the Dark Lord. Alas, the Evil was given the disgraceful opportunity to linger still in this world. His phantom fled to the edges of the known territories of this continent, too weak to manifest himself in physical shape. We now have plain evidence of his return. Yes, he came back from the oblivion of his erstwhile demise, for this is the nature of any malicious force, if the illness has not been completely cured and purged. We have also been informed of his movements about the ruined stronghold of Dul Guldur. All may see what has been of the one-time green and luxuriant forests of Mirkwood. I also understand why the Woodland King opted to leave his past residence and move his people to the northernmost borders of the woods; it means that shadow had already been lurking in there. We have not noticed that, unfortunately. We must thus determine the course of our own actions. Although it's true that no menacing threat has been posed against us, allowing Sauron to amass his minions without fighting back could be a blunder we are surely to regret.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 24. Sep 2017, 16:49
SARUMAN: ''Who in the broad world would ever ignore the approaching flames of war? I know no leader or noble lord that has ever turned his back in front of an evident menace being assembled at his borders. And I won't equally underestimate naught of a certain note, be it related to war or minor troubles in the shires of common lands. Yet, may I tell this to this council which dares question my capability of tackling the issues I was appointed to solve and fix: I see no menace. I see no enemy constructing such terrible armies whilst lurking in the midst of the darkness of a gloomy wood. The extent at which you are considering things has been clouding your judgement. What you depict is nothing more than a facade, if I may name it this way. A facade made of the phantoms and spirits you have conjured in your mind. Because, conceding the return of the Dark Lord, he will never be given another chance to acquire his might. He simply cannot. I studied the lore of the ancient Rings of Power more thoroughly than you might think. The answer to the riddle is simpler than many other mysteries that the world keeps secret from the general knowledge. Sauron's own entity is intertwined deeply with the state of his Ruling Ring. Even if Men faltered in front of the chasm of Mount Doom, and even if the One was given the possibility to pass unspoilt the eras ahead, Sauron will never have the tenure of his artefact once again. The One Ring has fallen in the meanders of the River, carried away from the impetuous waters unto the sea. None may recover it from the abyss of the blue. None may try what is impossible to do. Sauron has no force left in him; or, should he prepare himself for a conflict of any sort, the threat would be washed away and vanquished by our might, being us resolute and stout. Let him choose hiding and deceptive snares; they will be of no avail. My grip is ever-firm and only woes for our side voices of dissension could bring.

The One may not be retrieved, unless Arda is shattered and broken from its very foundations of fire and stone.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 5. Okt 2017, 18:49
GANDALF: ''My erstwhile foray in the dungeons of Dol Guldur was not the first enquiry of mine in that stronghold, Saruman. I know and deeply understand what and, in particular, whom we are due to face. Sauron has been scheming for very long time, too much, to just be satisfied with establishing himself in Mirkwood and awaiting there without any plan or goal whatsoever. It's not how it fares. It's not how he is. It's not how the Evil would behave. We have already discussed the horrendous series of crimes and felonies of the enemy we could at any moment fight. We are well aware of the fact that the Dark Lord must not be conceded anything. No peace, treaty, truce or even precious time. History just speaks for itself and we should never ignore its gold-worthy teachings, methinks. We are surely to pay a terrible toll for our blunders, should we opt to turn our back to such appalling evidences. And from my part, I have done anything in my possibilities, everything in my power, to strive and unearth what needed be unearthed. And no mischievous pilgrim I am, White Wizard. In search of troubles I am not, for troubles I myself try to remedy and all of my hosts could speak in my favour. The loose vibe of journeying I fancy a lot. Yes, this is what I am; a journeyman and voyager, since the task of aiding those who are in need to wizards only was appointed. The lore of the world is immense and never-ending indeed; no epilogue or chapter, yet. The pages of Arda are only waiting to educate and tell their stories of multicoloured tone. And we have to learn and pay attention, I infer. This world has grown much chill, and the Istari have the daunting duty to kindle those hearts which from valour have detached; a beacon of hope for all free we must be. Furthermore, may I just add that guardians we are in equal manner. Guardians that watch over things, without preferring the lonesomeness of our own mastery and might. This is how I deem my work and presence in this world. Are there flaws and faults in that? This I cannot foretell, yet of one thing I am certain. My instinct suggests I be staunch in defence and patrolling the vast distances of Middle-earth. Roaming hither and thither entails fatigue, I do not deny, but accomplishing my objectives has never been for me shame or guilt.

I thus confide that good will be the outcome, whatever happens. I remit my trust in the hands of this authoritative council, whose rule I accept and respect.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 11. Okt 2017, 16:46
ELROND: ''A just solution ought to be found, and reasonable in equal manner. Our erstwhile exchange has been lively and one could not deny the plainness of facts before us. The prime purpose of the meeting is setting out with the proper measures to cope with whatever challenges we get to encounter in our path. Crude words of all sorts don't help our proposition; yet, thorough discussions are something we are in dire need of, in order to dispel the fog of uncertainty which, for too much time, has been binding our hands. We must act and choose which way will suit our interests better. I myself have learnt how much wide and entangled the multifaceted reality of Arda could be; very much intricate and full of lost knowledge that has seldom been passed on to next generations. But the honourable members of this council may rejoice at the fact that we are not at all ignorant about the befallen times of this world. We are not, I assure. My scholars have long and broadly gone through the obscure traits of common history; I know equally. As I told you, I was there when Elves and Men marched together for the noblest of the causes. I was there, when the mighty host of the West had landed on the sunk lands; I beheld its legendary commanders and the ancient valour of the good kind. And the previous examination that had the Rings of Power as main subject was indubitably useful for multiple scopes. We do have, at the present moment, the fundamental scope for electing the strategy we are to make ours.

I thus take the liberty to ask that a final answer be given. The judgement, by which our deliberation will be informed, belongs to the chief of this assembly. We leave the right and authority to sentence in his wise government, for a leader is ever-burdened by the heavy weight and toil of decreeing what should be done. It is solely up to the head, on whom success or failure depend. Pray, may the outcome be of avail for us all. We are still invoked and summoned to be loyal to our duties. Not only do the Wise of the world sit in silence and converse with each other only, but we also strive with enduring conviction that the Evil will be finally given what it truly deserves. Whether it be through the violence of warfare or through the patience of patrolling, the flood is to be kept at bay. We all sense that illness could soon be spreading here and there, marring what of good has been hitherto built, spoiling the lovely deeds of whom just enjoys the everyday labour of life and endangering again the whole entirety of our multicoloured territories.

Saruman, what is it that you deem wise and proper for the case? What are you to decide?''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 19. Okt 2017, 17:29
SARUMAN: ''Well, Lord of this merry valley, I fear this council approaches to its end. Naturally, albeit opposing views and deliberations concerning what ought to be done for the matter which is the subject of our parlaying, I shall take a definitive decision, for time should not be wasted in futile quarrelling of any sort; this is only to weaken the bonds existing among us and hamper the mission we are supposed to accomplish.

My line is plain to grasp and see: no army or expeditionary force will be given consent to attack the eerie fortress of Mirkwood. We don't dispose of enough evidences and I believe that patience will be rewarded, in that the enemy is to be forced to unveil his schemes at the very late hour. Then, only then, are we to close this chapter. Should the Enemy be ready for an assault of any kind, we will be resolute and firm in the response. Our might is to be mobilised and we shall counter-attack against all who seek to harm or destroy the equilibrium we have built through much toil and tinkering of ours. I deem useless and counter-productive all plans that entail a sudden strike, now, for there is no risk that the One Ring could be in the hands of Sauron once again. As I told you, regardless of the stubbornness of some of this assembly, the Ruling Ring was lost in the waters of the Anduin, carried away by the river unto the broad seas of the world. None will ever boast its possession and mankind may thus feel relieved. Bragging about sham threats is not to avail our mission. I feel like adopting a patient strategy. One should not hurry; we need the proper wit and sharp intelligence to go through problems. We cannot reveal ourselves in such a manner. The reason why I was obliged to object to similar propositions. We are meant to solve issues; we can't fuel the fire and spread disorder to the world. This is my last judgement.

Yet, I am not adamant in my choice and alien to the thoughts of the other members of this council. I decree that the borders of the southern woods of Mirkwood be guarded and patrolled. The Lady of Light, if she wishes to partake in the defence, could strengthen the control of the river and of those adjacent forests. Be it clear, we are to observe and watch over Dol Guldur. An adequate distance ought to be between us and our opponents. No clashes or incidents. We will conduct ourselves as guardians. From my part, my servants will be appointed to the surveillance of the eastern borders of Mirkwood, north of the Golden Wood, where the grand contest against Goblins took place in past times. Those at my orders will conduct inspections and report anything to me. I won't remain enclosed and locked in my tower. Idleness is not to guide my principles and ever-aware of the world's happenings I will be. Are you content? Are you content with this ultimate resolution? A proper compromise that suits our needs. I hope it will be just and enough, in order to placate doubts and dubious minds who keep on questioning my authority.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 24. Okt 2017, 16:14
GALADRIEL: ''White Wizard, the ends of my realm are ever-secure. There is no reason to be wary of the Lady's defence. All these centuries, the gates of my woods have remained shut and sealed. We are the ones who patrolled thoroughly the adjacent paths and continue watching over the forest of Mirkwood, which is now a solitary testimony of how the Evil finds great pleasure in marring what is fair in this grim world of ours.

My valiant sentinels have never flouted the orders they were given. And they were bidden to guard the limits of our territories and the river which maintains us apart. The Enemy knows this very well, which is the reason of such suspicious silence on their shore. If anything of note is to befall, it will be not within my surveillance. Yet, I shall not cease what ought to be done. Not now. Not ever. We have always been on the alert since the return of the shadow under those poisoned leaves. And stout I equally was when Mithrandir elected the completion of the quest and unearthed the riddles hidden in the somber dungeons of Dol Guldur. We were aware, even at the hour of doubt. Even though authoritative voices refused to see the evidences provided by the very reality of things.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 26. Okt 2017, 14:15
ELROND: ''With this last deliberation we shall therefore rest. Our defences will be strengthened all along the eastern flank and particular attention is to be given to the southern woods of Mirkwood, now infested by crawling foes of the most diverse sort. This is the line adopted by the assembly and so it is the very proposition of the Wise as a whole. In spite of divergences on the strategy to put forward, we have come to a satisfying conclusion and this is good news for anyone worried about the recent unfolding of the events, because decisions will be made and idleness won't be the compass of our doing. I thus expect that all of us shall do our best and utmost efforts to make the plan succeed. If we stand together, none may have the possibility to halt our advancing. Should our side begin to falter or wobble, that would be a flaw in a limpid glass, about to be widened and ultimately break a one-time firm surface. And crystalline we must be, as we are resolute in our intent. May this be clear and plain, I hope. The council will nonetheless remain well ready and apt for changing opinion, were the situation to worsen in grave manners. I want this assembly to be strong-willed and prepared to face the worst. We know well that the Evil does not concede truce nor piety of any kind; and even if there is a long pause of stillness, that is simply quietness before the forthcoming storm, and precious time that our enemies make usage of to regain the lost prowess. We must maintain our guard high. We just must, for the sake of whom we have sworn to defend.

I declare the second meeting of the White Council concluded. Go in peace and may well-boding fate be beside our cause.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 11. Nov 2017, 01:13
The council has almost come to its conclusion. The majority of its members have decreed to stick to the line of its chief. Saruman has in fact preferred a moderate strategy, comprising increased surveillance of the borders surrounding the southern woods of Mirkwood, although he deems any military operation a too risky of a move. Thus, sentinels were ordered to linger and keep a careful watch over those perilous ways. Yet, in no way was such plan meant to face the threat in meaningful manners; the White Wizard had already dismissed the eventuality of Sauron getting his hands on his One Ring once again. The artefact he longs for with unceasing desire. The key for his return in the world. And Saruman secretly knew that the Ruling Ring had not been carried to the sea by the river. Therefore, focusing on patrolling was in his mind the best means via which he could observe his rival's doing. Because Sauron had clearly become for the Istar a rival to surpass, instead of an enemy whom the forces of Light just had to vanquish for the general sake. And this goes without saying that Gandalf was more and more doubtful about his superior fellow. Suspicion then began to grow and be pervasively rooted in the Grey Pilgrim's thoughts. A very recurrent of a grim sensation that could only bode ill. For it was simply manifest, at that time, how the interest of Saruman for the lore of the Rings of Power was not at all the one of a wiseman, as it should have been in truth.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 13. Dez 2017, 18:19
At the end of the council. Saruman is busy conversing with Elrond and reassuring him that vigilance was truly the best of the options.

Gandalf sat alone in quietness. His mind was altered and deeply torn inside. He knew that the decision the council of the Wise had made would be to bring woes to the Free People as a whole. Hiding behind towers and patrols could not be the just way! The Evil would simply have continued growing bolder within the dungeons of that eerie fortress. They had discovered that the Dark Lord was again assembling his means. Means of war and meant to wreak havoc in this new era. An era of relative peace, disturbed by turmoil in the mysterious East, exotic South and bitter North. Even the fall of the Ancient Kingdom in the northernmost lands of Middle-earth had not worried the Grey Wizard at that extent, for that was a domain doomed to be broken apart by envy and discord; the Wise knew that, as long the southern realm of Men would last and bear the brunt of time, the world could feel relieved and safe. But Men were again faltering and struggling to keep the pace of the ending age, as was their leadership: wobbly and unstable, weak, feeble and dreading to take the needed measures to counter the threat.

And what about the very White Council, guardian of the balance of powers in the region and ultimate judge? Its leadership was treading the path of doubt as well, but the situation was in truth grimmer and far worse than mere mistakes of judgement. Saruman had grown obsessed with the lore of the lost Rings of Power. Obsessed with their forbidden potency and with their influence on the fates of the world. That could only have meant one thing, a single conclusion: beside the Three that were being kept secret by the Wise, all the other artefacts of such kind were either lost or destroyed. The chief of the council was therefore likely to seek the One Ring, which, as Gandalf feared and suspected, had not passed on to the great sea. It was lingering in the world, secretly kept by unknown hands, posing a general menace for anyone deeming life worthy and precious. The White Wizard had foolishly chosen to follow a path with no fortunate outcome: the longing of power, by means of the foulest heirloom that was ever conceived. A one-time wise leader was looking at the Enemy as a rival to surpass in might, and not as a fire that needed be extinguished.

The Grey Pilgrim took up his beloved pipe of old, smoking that comforting weed for which he had often been mocked by his superior fellow. Meandering among the tension of his hundreds of thoughts, he blew some smoke out of his mouth, shaping it and directing its flow, until that breath was fashioned in the guise of multiple rings that floated above. Then, the Istar tried to grab those nearly immaterial figures; figures which immediately dissolved and faded away, as faded away the pride of whom desired their possession and tenure. And all the scene did not go unnoticed, for Saruman had been staring at his lesser companion all time and this Gandalf knew well.

The visage of the White Wizard darkened and the leader of the assembly began to boil in anger and resentment, for the Grey Wizard had guessed rightly and clear. The buoyant wanderer had guessed whither the chief of his order was directed and whither his obsession would eventually lead him.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 18. Dez 2017, 13:42
The council is ended. All guests are preparing to part from Rivendell and head to their respective residence. Saruman is the first to abandon the meeting and journey back to his mansion. The White Wizard offered no kind words in his departure and simply left the scene, resembling a nasty storm passing across far mountains on the horizon; immersed in his enigmatic thoughts and schemes. On the other hand, as the chief was taking the route of return, Elrond got closer to Gandalf and exchanged some final words of sincere greetings, showing worrying preoccupations and doubts.

ELROND: ''I had hoped for a better conclusion, I assure you. And I feel like seconding your reasoning, Gandalf. We had fair evidence that Sauron is once again at work in this world and his goal is obviously the chaining of all that we know; never has it been different from such kind of outcome. Whenever his shadow began to creep out from the ignorance of this earth, war was ever close to all and ready to infuriate against these old shires of ours. But this time the tide is turning in a different manner, my gentle friend. The true reason of your coming here will soon be satisfied for good, for this clash is to be the final one of this age. It's not the time yet, although I clearly sense that it's solely a matter of counting the remaining years before the storm. A storm shall rage indeed and its end I cannot foresee nor foretell, alas. Our only duty is the safeguarding of peace, now, and we must also set the most inquisitive watch over all the happenings we have knowledge of. The current disposition of the council will help put forward this strategy: if we can't act and wage war, we shall at least wait on our side and stay well vigilant.

I don't know if the One will ever be retrieved. The Evil is nonetheless back and none may question this very apparent of a fact. This world has still hope and people have hope for the future too, provided that one will rise and bear the burden of leadership, when the old authority of the past has waned and dwindled in stringent need. You know of whom I speak, Grey Wizard. His time will come, at the end of the tale. In the midst of these grey days, my kind is leaving these shores and reaching the true home that is apt for our glory and endless life within the circles of Eä. Henceforth, Men are to take and accept the responsibility to face the next darkness, soon to cast its illusions on our free lands. In the good and in the bad, a definitive decision will have to be made and it is to determine the course of this story.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 19. Dez 2017, 17:10
GANDALF: ''Whether Sauron shall have the object of his yearning or not, his forces will rapidly grow at a pace we cannot even now fathom or fully comprehend. The abysses of Mordor are vomiting out all sorts of foul beings; the watch of Gondor is over and the very Men are retreating behind those fortifications of stone that they deem secure and resistant for an assault. What they fail to see is the vagueness of their propositions, not backed by witty leadership. This is for sure. Soon, very soon, the Black Land will have turned into an ocean of turmoil and apprehensive hurry, for their master demands an army to be built in the shortest passing of time, knowing very well how no other adversary in the world could contend his will for return. While the sorcerer awaits our moves in the eerie fortress amidst thick woods, his minions do not waste time and labour unceasingly within the borders of that cursed land; whither the Dark Lord is bound to head, at the end of this skirmish between the two shores. The plague is fostering its advantage and ruthless course. Even with Sauron diminished and lessened in might, we are doomed to be overcome and outnumbered. This is how the wheel of our fate is turning and it does so very fast.

The eastern routes are no longer safe to pass through. It is not only Orcs or other ill-natured beasts. Lies and deceit have breached the feeble hearts of many human tribes there; weak Men, but not in the sense that Saruman would give. They wander without a certain scope and captives they are of their own voluble temper. They are very likely to fall prey of malicious lies that are spread across those remote places, cunningly and conscientiously. Our enemies had knowledge of this weakness and made it so that many of those people would reinforce the ranks of the shadow we all dread. And it is appalling how the innocent one might often be moved by fear and such compulsion which I disdain; they fear the Tyrant as we do as well, being the chains that bind them too nasty and intricate to free a spirit longing for liberty. It won't happen, unless our very Enemy is thrown off and defeated for good, once and for all. And, sadly, my lord, none could come to our aid in those far territories of riddle: two of my order had journeyed thither, endowed with a mission akin to mine. They have disappeared, though, and I fear they may have been trapped by the same unstable vibe which runs pervasively through those ways. Thus, we are sole and lone in the predicted clash; only on the western ones we shall count for sure.

Yet, my gentle sire of honour, honest I would not be if I did not tell you this: verily, I feel that the One Ring will eventually be found and discovered again in Middle-earth. At the moment of extreme danger, being the hour late and grave, hands will bear the wicked weight of that artefact. And I pray that those very hands shall be mere hands of common soul, for never has the Evil succeeded in marring whom was humble and lesser for our eyes. And seconding the opposite is the most flawed judgement one could make, since it is simple kindness and love that may keep the darkness at bay.''
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 6. Feb 2018, 14:02
DIGRESSION
A lament for future woes

In the gathering of clouds, an Elven choir of Lothlórien sings the coming of troubles in the world and the oncoming storm that is to befall. Guided by the leading wisdom of Galadriel, the choir represents the very will of the Lady of Light and her concern regarding the future, whose course she deems tortuous and full of peril. Also, the ruler of the Golden Wood knows well that a showdown is to take place within the secretive walls of Dol Guldur, for that she divined.

Zitat
1. In the hour of worry,
When birds change their flight and winds seem stronger,
Even inside the blissful forest,
We may sense something in motion,
Peace was disturbed and it could not come back anymore,
Clouds move from the easternmost ends of the world,
Carrying neither joy nor good tidings for us,
Yet, the East is not the utmost concern,
Of our gallant people of the woods,
Awoken a ghost has been, whose lair lies not far.

2. Why must it always be so?
That Immortals have to suffer dread,
Fearing the ruin of their homes,
Homes built with care,
And immense love as well,
For strangers know not,
If they believe we would give up our land,
To which Elves are bound,
As swan-ships are anchored in our havens,
Willing we are not to depart, although that is inexorable fate.

3. The Elven heart is conscious,
Of such ending, in the concluding chapter,
Our history comes nearly to the epilogue,
Wanting or regretting,
Good or bad,
We shall leave these shires,
Become grey and solitary,
Ready for the younger race to dominate,
While we contemplate the twilight of our domain,
What was raised with marvel shall cease to be.

4. The Lady this has foreseen,
Piercing the veil of disguise,
Opening the gates of the past,
Gazing at the maze of forthcoming events,
Destined to be,
Bitter-sweet truth has been revealed, indeed,
To the profound dismay of the Seer,
She guards the well-being of her kingdom,
Seldom was her wrong or chained to doubt,
She thought and spoke wise words, for us to grasp.

5. Her life commenced in Aman,
In the Immaculate Reign of the Archangels,
Beloved by her noble family,
Royal kin dwelling in legend,
Mightiest maiden, tells the lore, and fairest of all,
Alas, the dream broke and vanished,
Once the Trees were touched by venom and by terrible dark,
The greatest token was stolen,
Revenge you yearned,
As well as wild free lands to command under the finest rule.

6. Surely do you know how things were to unfold,
Unto our present,
She governs the ways of Lórien,
Her coming was best gift that was granted to us,
The wittiest monarch would not equal her,
None did so far,
For with incredible force she was endowed with,
Versed with the oldest arts commanding magic,
You may have certainly noticed,
How here, within her realm, time does not flow and things are not diminished by decay.

7. Aye, a secret we keep,
Nay, we may not make it known,
You ought to be content with your guess,
She is our grandest defence,
The most resistant wall she has laid,
Encircling the green of such uncanny realm,
Unfairly feared by Men who understand not,
Her prodigious shield is not shattered by mere blade or cheap means,
Fell assailants will be given the proper response,
Until the Lady of Light stays, naught may drive us away.

8. The Wise have been summoned anew,
To the sacred valley,
His gentle lord thought it was necessary,
Imperative danger requires the firmest act,
It's not the time to flinch from duty,
The erstwhile council boded ill,
For leadership faltered in the advancing of trouble,
The chief was clouded by wrong judgement,
His mind was not apt for the task,
He who seeks the pleasure of flames cannot be asked to extinguish the fire.

9. The Dark Lord has made his move,
His pawns are ready and haste,
The disgraceful fortress you may find in the nearby,
Strange fate, that the night-mare of the tale should hide there,
Concealing his presence and disguising his scope,
Veiled by sorcery and poisonous fog,
Who could see beyond such mist?
As eerie beacon in the night,
Many wicked beings it gathered,
Whither he shall send them we do not know.

10. She has divined a vision of future woes,
Whatever the outcome may be,
A contest is to be,
Along those grievous dungeons,
In which many lost their pitiful lives,
The Sorcerer shall manifest his evilness and vile intent,
Fire and shadow will cover the sight,
Regardless of courage, ghoulish prowess in the foulest guise,
A new darkness, come out of hatred and deceit,
You shall stand bold, Elven Queen, as a radiant lantern in a haunted night.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 21. Feb 2018, 18:00
DIGRESSION

The White Wizard reflects on his obscure longings...

Locked in his tower of old, secluded in his conceited pride, the White Wizard is meandering through the space of his century-old thoughts, fathoming what he has to do to achieve his true and final goals. That is the longing which had been tormenting his mind for quite a time; desire he cannot get rid of, it seems. And the more he thinks about it, the more this night-mare of his comes to pay him a totally unwanted visit. The struggle for power is consuming both his spirit and excellent judgement, fearing that the scheme might be made overt, to public chastising and contempt. What would the fellow members of the Wise think of him, should his secret be unearthed? How would they deem him? Yet, some were already suspecting, he thought, for one may not simply deceive others of the Istari; let alone the presumptive Elven Queen, whom he doubts and also dreads, for the exact magnitude of her might is not to be known. Her mind is ever-vigilant, detecting the Evil that moves and hurries on the other shore of the river. She must have discovered it. Not all, but the piece in her knowledge was perhaps enough. Enough to draw a fair conclusion; enough for a millennia-old being. But, what leaves him distraught is the grasp of forgotten lore which he cannot seem to have, because it is really memory and ancient science, lost in time and in the fell fire of war: science pertaining to a one-time divine deity, now fallen and cursed, seeking revenge against all those who cast him in the void of defeat, without a decent body to shelter such impressive prowess. An empty shell...

An empty shell? How could a disgraceful outcast forge the item of doom? How could an angel in ruin be able to set in motion the crafting of such fate-determining artefacts of power? The Rings of Power! Why were they a far illusion for the fool wishing to make usage of their magic once again? How unfair and wrong! The highest Istar could not manage to revive the old art, come into being thanks to the snares of a demon disguised as a noble wiseman. One who tricked and played, trying to chain everyone into the trap of his will; some resisted, while others failed. And each of the fabled Ring had in truth been imbued and fashioned by the Elves craving their blissful past, made then into nostalgia and a dream beyond wit. Yet, it was from that eerie mentor that all began, being him the ultimate keeper of the secret behind such magical craft. And all to whom he passed the mystery lie dead, victims of the clash. Three Rings escaped capture and are kept safe by immortal hands to the present date. None know how to retrieve what we have forsaken or are willing to make other attempts, for this age has grown too grey and numb to marvel. To power worthy of praise and honour!
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 22. Apr 2018, 19:10
It's midnight. Anything within and near the ring of Isengard stands solitary under the pale moon of Middle-earth. The master of the ancient stronghold is no idle wizard; busy with his own pondering and elaborate schemes, he's consulting one of the oldest text that is kept in the fortress. No one knows how and when the chief of the Istari managed to gather such impressive a collection of forbidden books. Treasures, the wise would say, for many are the secrets there stored and told in the manners of the past. Unreadable riddles, the common folk would deem that arcane knowledge, and much hazardous for any pious soul interested in delving into the darker hours of our story. Contemplating any possible hint or information that he might have missed in erstwhile reads, Saruman was again longing to perfect his understanding of the lost Rings of Power. His thirst had not been placated by all that he had been collecting until that moment, with the most haunting avarice that a supposedly noble character could be affected by. Centuries, spent in the hopeless wish to unveil the key of the issue, had not been enough. How many winters and summers? How many nights had he passed in the eerie company of his obsessions? No, that was not enough and could never have been so nonetheless, for the veil he was seeking to pierce resembled more a thick mist, neither physical to be concretely touched nor able to be dispersed through the craft known in later times. Frustration grew ever-deep and was consuming the last traces of sanity which remained still in the wizard's heart. He's now a sole dangerous fire, ready to be augmented via profound grudge and resentment, ill-combined with the evil ambition that too often succeeds in dragging even the pure to the dirt. The White Wizard's robes were slowly changing, as that stainless white was more and more turning into an uncanny variety of different shades; different and wavering as his voluble longings.

But time was about to unfold in the way that fate had commanded, bringing to a fair end a long period of watchful silence. Inertia and concealed intentions. Now, events will offer the proper case and reason for a turn of the tide. Firstly, it was signalled by the hasty breaking in of the sentinels of Orthanc, his most trusted messengers, disturbing the vain studies of the wizard and bearing a message of the utmost contingency for our tale.


GUARD: "My lord, I bear tidings of the most compelling necessity for your cause."
SARUMAN: "Speak, and be brief. I have no time to waste with other reports of the kind you've been messaging me so far. A wizard must not indulge in the empty bickering of common folks; not in the silly and frivolous world of whom cares about the finger and ignores the Moon which is pointed at. Tell me, what befalls in our neighbouring counties of our shires? Other quarrels among witless squires? Other monarchs who seek my help in the management of their own affairs? Other knights in search of news from the ends of the earth, demanding assistance whilst abandoning themselves to the raw pleasures of their own country?"
GUARD: "No, my liege. I bear news from lands lying north of your venerable domain. The Gladden Fields I speak of."
SARUMAN: "Well, what is it that I do not know yet of such place? My spies are ever endeavouring to patrol those forsaken borders and report everything that happens within those woods and shores. Verily, though, you ought to know that it's not just men-at-arms that I speak of, minion of mine. Do you really believe that my own mind could ever be played or miss details of the most crucial note for my enterprise? I do know what we're looking for along those silvan territories. Forsaken, as I said, by law and power, because a foolish queen did not dare extend her hand out of the fable in which she and her secretive people dwell. Are you really of the opinion that something might go unnoticed without me knowing? We have been long conducting inspections there, about the river and its related streams. Nothing has been found that could aid my goal or provide answers that I don't dispose of. If you're keen on returning to me the same tedious errands, spare me the trouble and leave me to my occupations."
GUARD: "My lord, I dare insist. Newer reports from your employed agents indicate that..."
SARUMAN: "Stay your tongue, fool. I need no message from such miserable a lot! I well told you how not just mere men are in my thrall. Whom do you think you're talking to? A sham mage, of the sort of those who fancy village feasts and the company of inferior gentry? My eye is keener than the sight of the finest Elf. My ear may hear the inaudible. My thought goes through stone and whatever peak and obstacle might separate me from the reason of my quest. My attention is ever stuck to those forests; know this, ungrateful serf! Other spies of mine have recently brought to my ears that naught seems to be in motion around there. The incessant labour of my servants may go forward with ease. None menaces our doing or even dare watch us from a distance. We are the only actor in this play. If there were clouds and wrathful storms approaching, I would immediately realise the pending danger. The sane and wise need not lose confidence or be wary of his own propositions, if no ill is to bode or mar his deeds."
GUARD: "Your skilled spies have failed the mission, my liege, if the thicket of the wood proved too intricate even for the keenest gaze. The new reports inform us of a real threat from the other side of the river. The envoy was immediately sent here and rushed to tell how packs of Orcs from Dol Guldur have taken station on the opposite shore. There, clouded by the shadows of the night, are too inspecting those fields, yearning to retrieve what was once lost in the waters of the broad river. They must know, my lord. Their master must know indeed."
SARUMAN: "Tell you the truth? Never has a tiding been as foreboding and ominous as the words you just uttered. We do truly face a great peril. The senses of my crows were no match for the tricks of the Enemy, it seems. My power may enhance and grant an already fine eye a finer vision, though the rules governing nature cannot just be defied so lightly. The unworthy warrior shall always remain so, in the end, whether he wield stick or blade. Fate has made it so that events will take a new course. The wise notices the changing tide in advance and, according to its waves, shall mould his actions on the new fashion before his very eyes. I will do so as well. Soon will every pawn of the chessboard realign itself; I foresaw it. We must stay true to the plan, whatever it takes and happens in the meantime. Anything hindering our path will be met with the appropriate means. No reckless foe shall dare to jeopardise my long-conceived endeavour. I will not permit it. My speech has served me well for the keeping at bay of the ardent, as well as odious, spirit of justice which still animates some of my fellows in the council. Some suspect, it's true, yet no opposing voice has hitherto pushed itself to a direct questioning of my authority. This is a totally different impediment, however. The Dark Lord knows. He knows what was the grievous doom he had ordered for the cursed Isildur. He knows that his precious artefact has sunk into the river and there he's still waiting for the coming of his rightful master..."
GUARD: "What shall we do, my liege? We do not have the proper force to secure us the control of the entire land. Moreover, legions of Orcs are everyday seen swarm and assemble in the whereabouts of the ghoulish fortress. It is presumable to infer that their numbers have by now grown enough to form an army."
SARUMAN: "Hunters, beasts, Orc-commanders and fiends...
Don't you understand, little wit? Seldom does the Dark Lord act in vain. I do not for a moment regard the assembling of an army as an intention to seize the passage to the Gladden Fields. He wouldn't require the assistance of a host. He has other schemes in mind. He's moving his pawns to different objectives at once. Only the foolish might think that Sauron rests lonely inside the dungeons of his lair, still and motionless. He's gathering his strength again, summoning his one-time loyal allies from the ends of Middle-earth. Nay, you can't view the whole portrait, sentinel. Such black ranks were conjured for the purpose of conquest, breaking the long peace which has clouded our minds and lessened our effort. The true dilemma therefore arises and does it plainly: where will the hammer hit? Which realm shall be the woeful target of Men's Bane? He's not apt yet to wage war against the kingdom of Men; a kingdom struggling amidst internal strife and woken enemies of the past, although the decaying marble has not crumbled yet. Nay, he must aim at another barrier of the Good to tear apart...

And, coincidentally, fell winds begin to blow and rage, as a company of Dwarves was reported to have embarked on suspicious journeys across the wilderness of Eriador, led by a disinherited lord. The same lord whom my eyes and ears spotted not so long ago, conversing gleefully with the Grey Pilgrim."
GUARD: "I cannot follow you, master. What shall we do, then?"
SARUMAN: "You need not understand all, lesser man. Your only duty is to serve me. Go, now, spread my words: our expedition to the Gladden Fields must be momentarily withdrawn; furthermore, every movement of the aforementioned dwarf-fellowship will be hereafter monitored and controlled. I will not ask you to chase the moves of my fellow wizard, for that would be beyond your very capabilities. I want and will have daily reports of our Dwarves' doing. Every single day. When the right time comes, I shall summon the White Council anew. Be gone, now! Should your mouth betray my cause, I shall know."



Saruman to himself.

SARUMAN: "So be it, great rival of mine. In the depth of your wicked shelter shall we find the just contest. May the greatest and most audacious rule and prevail, advancing a new age of might to command."
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 30. Nov 2018, 18:27
THE WHITE COUNCIL: THE THIRD MEETING

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0f/96/a9/0f96a9602ec6d5e6ba12f9c472173830.jpg)

Zitat
Premises

Thus, the White Council was summoned again. Saruman had by then grown too much wary of his rival's moves to not take the proper counter-measures. Time was apt for action; the secret dark sorcerer, hidden in the deepest dungeons of his eerie fortress, was getting every day closer to finding what had been of his precious, lost item. The One Ring had disappeared in the waters of the Great River, about the sadly-remembered shores of the Gladden Fields. There, Isildur had fallen prey of an ambush of the Orcs, and his dear heirloom had so abandoned its former master, vanishing in the mud-tainted ponds that lay in the nearby areas.

The seeking and retrieving of the forgotten Ruling Ring had been haunting the White Wizard's thoughts for very long time. Turning quickly into a real obsession from which the wise mage did not seem to be capable of detaching. From menace, to wish. From dooming weapon of the Evil, to an immensely useful resource, when finally worn by the keeper of Isengard. A concealed longing, for sure, that the leader of the council had to veil and wreathe in deceit. Nevertheless, leaving allies and friends in the obscure would not have served anyone's interests anymore. The power of Dol Guldur had become incredibly potent and fierce; festering here and there as a restless plague, gathering all sorts of ghouls and demons as though the cursed fort resembled a beacon of devilry. Indeed, devils were the inhabitants of so monstrous a dwelling. Home to night-mares and despair. Who, if not the venerable members of the noble assembly, could have held his ground before such imminent threat? The fates of the world would soon be at the crossroad of destiny, since olden past phantoms were everywhere manifesting and crawling again under the lights of the present. The Necromancer, the beating heart of the whole sinister lair, began to sense that the moment had come; the hour of the reclaiming of his due domination over all life on earth. And, albeit suffering and depleted in strength, his spirit had taken back enough vigour to present himself as a wandering shadow of hatred and scheming malice. Whether the Ring was to be found or not, his force now permits him to throw fearsome legions of Orcs in the heat of the battle. An army he had assembled! And that he had done in the misjudgement and failure of the Wise. Or, better, of their seemingly caring lord.

Obviously, needless to remind the reader of it, none of the aforesaid movements had really gone unnoticed. Both Saruman and the ever-watchful sentinels of Lothlórien had remained on the alert until that breaking point. But, it was by decision of the greatest Istar that the course of events took the course it was bound to take: once his spies brought to his ears that Orcs were patrolling and searching the shores of the Fields, he knew that Sauron was finally aware of the exact location in which the Ring had last been seen. Furthermore, another grave danger was materialising in the meantime, as a company of Dwarves was journeying across the Wild Lands, firm and adamant to reclaim the ancient realm of Erebor. The Kingdom under the Lonely Mountain. The brightest jewel of the entire dwarf-kind; brighter than all gems beneath the caverns of the world. Brighter than the best craft ever forged by Durin's Folk. The very kingdom had in fact been destroyed and raided by a dreadful winged dragon of the North, drawn to treasure and gold above all else. Aided in the deed, also, by the morbid thirst for riches which had completely clouded the Dwarven monarch's mind, condemning the proud throne to face the inexorable woes wrought by greed and ruthless yearning. The curse of the Seven Rings, as some of the wisest inferred. Therefore, a group of resolute exiles, led by the late dwarf-king's grandson, embarked on a quest to re-enter their rightful domain and slay the fire-breathing serpent which still lurked inside the ruined remnants of the mountain-realm. And the Grey Wizard deemed this new developments an appropriate chance to liberate one of the strongest bastions of the Good and then reinstate order where there had not been, alongside vanquishing another terribly ferocious foe.

The Dark Lord was too planning his own return, however. Short of auxiliaries and halved in might, he craved the allegiance of a very terrifying of a creature, which the vicious dragon exactly was. If paired and united against the forces of hope, very few would fairly imagine and understand what this tremendously wicked duo could have brought to Middle-earth. Hell and a thick encroaching darkness, to cover all lands with a new demon-ridden night. So, time grew scarce and peril advanced at a pace that the fastest steeds might really envy; as impetuous as the storms which had become too frequent of late, spreading ill winds and anguish all over innocent peoples and their worried shires. The two odious fiends had to be dealt with for good, preventing both to assist each other in any circumstance requiring reinforcements. A precise strike, then, to end the dreaded reign of the treacherous sorcerer, who had thitherto plunged Mirkwood in a sorry state of illness and hopeless desolation. A tainted land, made dangerous and deadly for any unwary one who thought he could dare hazard and jeopardise his own being. At the same time, a horror from bygone ages, resting and guarding the golden spoils of the Dwarves, would have been driven away once and for all, restoring the ailing legacy of a valiant race, too often victim of merciless misfortune and cruel disgrace.
Titel: Re: The White Council
Beitrag von: Walküre am 10. Dez 2018, 17:45
Zitat
Night fell swiftly on the Elven lord's valley. It was as though the weather itself had prepared for the solemn meeting that would soon be held in Rivendell. No malignant breeze had ever found place inside the sanctuary, but, that particular evening, all seemed to have fallen prey of some mysterious spell that had embalmed the old ways of the Noldor in a pleasant state of solace. Yet, sheer quietness it was not, for solace hid tension and preoccupations quite well, but not entirely. Nay, the Wise very much knew what was and would be at stake in so fateful an assembly. Rumours had spread that the authoritative White Wizard was a mind full of doubts and worried thoughts. A mind of schemes and complex plots, so akin to the many devices of industry which he was very fond of. The hour had eventually come, this the noble members of the council sensed it clearly. Undoubtedly, something of grave necessity had swayed the White Council's leader towards another path. And, of even more crucial note for the happenings, the unexpected summoning of that splendid kind of lot had necessarily to mean an equally pivotal development of the events. The wind was slowly changing its course, as were the tides and waters of the world.

How will our known heroes adapt to such wavering course?

Elrond and Gandalf are awaiting the start of the meeting with great apprehension. The other fellows of theirs have not turned up to the scene yet.

ELROND: "Gandalf, do you really deem it wise to allow a scattered Dwarven company to roam freely across the Wild Lands? Within this blissful valley of mine, every weak and disgraced shall ever find refuge and consolation. It was also important that I had the chance to listen to what the dethroned king wanted to say. And, permit me to say, his reasons are as sound as those of every unlucky monarch would be. Nevertheless, I assume your witty mind has never forgotten the unfortunate fate which his ancestors had brought to themselves.

The Lonely Mountain? Gandalf, you know that a vicious curse burdens the gold stored in those halls. His grandfather ended up losing his own self in the midst of such opulence. A drive for riches and power that finds no sufficiently similar equivalent in other tales. You ought to be very cautious about that, my wandering friend. I fear this quest might not only wake a slumbering devil under jewels and gems, but also another sort of relentless demons that perhaps linger still in the depths of his soul."

GANDALF: "My lord, if I hadn't thought it would be a necessary task, I would not have entangled the lives of such brave ones in this imperative mission. The dragon has slept for too long inside the mount. The usurper needs to be driven out of their rightful realm. Oakenshield has the only right to reclaim what belongs to his family. His legacy cannot simply be forgotten; it shan't remain as an indelible stain on Dwarven lore. We must act, and do it quickly."

ELROND: "The long hand of shadow has stretched thus far. Though this hidden place may enjoy the defence of my kind and craft, dread advances and clouds any soul concerned with what is to befall us. Now, we have a far worse enemy to care about, sage wizard. Our adversary had been creeping into that fortress even prior to the undoing of the North. A veritable phantom, feeding off revenge and hateful propositions. It's time we ended his threat, once and for all. If our wish is to be made true, the broad eastern woods shall be liberated from the oppressing nightmare of the Necromancer. If we succeed, right will be restored in wilderness and wasteland. The plague shall be cured for good.

Still, should the effort be doubled or frustrated by excessive strain, the deed might be in serious peril, and failure is seldom the seed of luck to come. If the dwarf-company manages to rescue their kingdom from misery, couldn't they risk to stir other troubles and reap the foul consequences of having taken back control of the lone mountain? Evil is always rapid and silent to swarm, infiltrating even the most uncommon individuals. Who guarantees that all is not to bode ill?"

GANDALF: "Magnanimous herald, your worries are ever sign of strength, and not of weakness. What you say is what might probably be, but also not be. If the Dwarven royal passes these ravines and crosses the Misty Mountains, then the fate of many will surely change. Darkness has fallen also on those northern lands; and, while the road appears clear from brigands and fiends, danger has slowly been replaced by chill and sinister silence. The absence of law. The absence of order. The absence of a ruler.

Don't you think that our bastion will be reinforced by a renewed power that shall kindle the fires of Erebor again? Most importantly, I dare add, a winged dragon is certainly one of the foulest gruesome creatures that have ever walked this earth. You know this, my lord. You beheld and wailed the destiny that the past Hither-Lands were bound to suffer. That is a flame of pure evilness which mere water cannot extinguish. Hence, imagine what a weapon of such magnitude Smaug could turn into, were Sauron to seize the opportunity. That would likely coincide with our utter doom, for stone, wood and green would face the enormous wrath of hell. The blazing of the West of this world shall spell an inglorious end of this late disenchanted age.
Yes, Elf-sire, the truth is manifest to see: packs of Orc-hunters have been tracking our movements since the very beginning of our foray. Not packs of lesser raiders, but rather an expedition of bloody murderers. They were aiming to prevent Thorin from reaching his lost realm. In the meantime, legions of other Orcs are being assembled every day, round the surroundings of the bewitched fort. It's hard to tell whether an army is already positioned there or not, despite my instinct suggesting me that it actually is. Therefore, it's not madness to presume that a strike is near; not against your holy domain, however, neither are they willing to assail the woods of fair Lórien. Their gaze is fixed on that mountain. He knows. He presaged that the old king's grandson would show up and contend that ruined shire with him. Thus, if we want to win the war, I strongly believe that safeguarding those borders does import our goal. All the horrors that were confined in those boreal ends we shall once again rout."

ELROND: "What about the Hobbit, Gandalf? Can you vow to preserve him from harm and sorrow? He's truly one pious spirit. It would be grave to watch him get marred."

GANDALF: "I trust Bilbo more than I do in regards to some potent lords or venerable commanders. You would surely find it extraordinary to know how much a genuinely kind one may; not interested in glory or mundane vice. I tell you, it's actually from the humble and least that the unexpected might happen. Simple acts of love and dearly care; common folks, apt mainly for sweet and quiet. I confess they always give me courage and much wisdom to live by.

I think that this little friend of ours has yet more to offer and demonstrate, as the journey gets darker and sun paler."