Deor will gladly help tell the Beacon Warden about how these bandits were intercepting his uncle Aldor’s post!
Is there a way of positively identifying the Beacon-Warden? I mean, I know he’s not wearing a sheriff’s star, but could Thoroncir or Gilraen be certain?
Ghân realises he may becoming more ‘hard-hearted’ (perhaps savvy or even streetwise is a better term).
He firmly reassures the dwarf Tumin that the suspected bandits were being well-treated, should not have tried to escape and that caravanners have full rights to defend themselves.
Tumin did not act out of cruelty or greed, as robbers do.
Ghân will reload his spells, assuring the party that helping the Beacon-Warden is time well-spent.
As Woses say, ‘even a small amount of sewing at the right moment can help make sure that much less repair is needed at a later time’.
Realising that the party know a snappier version, Ghân ponders if the Woses have picked up a habit from the wonderful Ents…
Maybe Deor could aim for ESP? (a useful spell on this and other occasions!)
Everyone knows that Beacon Warders are patient, dutiful and careful men. Their job demands it…
I favour handing the brigands over to the local authority, explaining that the dead prisoner was not merely trying to escape but actively attacking his guard - had he merely slipped his bonds and fled, we could surely have found a non-lethal way to stop him. I pity him, for he was a fool to think he could escape from us when I, for one, could certainly outrun him, but the dwarf Tumin did to him only what he had to do.
Ghân agrees completely.
The Beacon-Warden is the same one that Gil-Gandel spoke to earlier, so no need to fear. If you’re worried the beacon itself was compromised, Gilraen exchanges several words with him in Westron, Rohirric and even Sindarin.
Gilraen, “He is either who he says he is or a far cleverer rogue than I can see through.”
The Warden is very professional and does not appear upset that one prisoner died in an act of violence and uprising. The other 15 are all stout local farmers that are aging veterans of many battles. They are but lightly armored but have excellent swords and spears. There is much free land for homesteaders to repopulate Anórien, especially near the minor authority of the beacons.
They will hold the prisoners for a short time while word is sent back to Minas Tirith. The Warden greatly appreciates the service done for Anórien & Gondor. He is a man that appears to be in his early 30s. Probably Dúnedain stock and he has a pronounced limp. He is wearing well made chain mail and carries a quality crossbow and excellent Long sword.
So with a slight delay the party can set off on July 6th. It is another very hot day and again the party finds shade for the hottest portion of the day as they travel until dark. The day and night are peaceful. Occasional travelers are passed with short greetings.
July 7th the party just makes it to the Eastern edge of Firien wood. The night again passes without problem.
July 8th, has occasional light rains and one 15 minute downpour. By 10am the party reaches the bridge over the Merino Stream and the Village of Merino Bridge. We are probably no more than another 3 to 4 days from Edoras. The Village is small but has a wooden palisade protecting the village on both sides of the great stone bridge. The bridge has a 20’ square stone tower on each end and the palisades have large wooden gates. The houses in the village are mostly stone walled with wooden roofs. The population appears to be of both Gondorian and Rohirrim stock. They have a horse seller, a fish market and most of the small shops that a traveler might need along the road. The village is clean and the dirt streets appear to be cleaned of dropping and watered down to cut down of dust. There is a large stone building at the East gate that has a small company of 30 guards of Gondor stationed at it. They are 10 horse, 10 bow and 10 heavy infantry. Their captain is in charge of guarding the village, bridge and keeping order in Firien Wood and supporting the Halifirien Beacon-Warden who commands another 15 guards. The village has an elected Mayor who is in charge of all other functions of the town. He lives on the west side in a very nice two story stone house.
An elected mayor - interesting! A little bit of democracy in Middle-earth.
Sir Thoroncir pays his respects to the mayor and the captain of the garrison, if there’s time. He will also replenish his supply of paper and ink from the shops. He earlier gave his interrogation notes (after transcribing copies) to the Beacon-Warden, and explained that he was willing to testify, if necessary, at the alleged brigands’ trial. He will re-mail the letters which the brigands wrongly intercepted, and will also mail a short letter to his parents in Linhir.
Ghân will take advantage of quiet journey days to look for herbs and cast Plant Growth + Goodberry.
He will work with Brownie, Fang and Anca on training and language.
(If we are staying for a day in Merino Bridge, Ghân can offer a Stone Shape for minor repairs.)
I don’t believe there is any plan to stay more than a short time. If anyone does not want to wait, some horses and ponies and available here.
As Thoroncir shops for a small bit of paper he asks about the Mayor a bit and finds out that like many small towns, the local business owners elect a Mayor. One of them mentions, “I 'ear that the Hobbits up in their Shire do the same for the whole Shire and that Tharbad, Old Ford Town and Long Lake 'ave Mayors too. In fact I heard Long Long’s Mayor is the full authority in the town. Here, Ee’s jist the chief administrator and arbitrator.”
Thoroncir is out a few silvers for his purchases and posts.
Elfstan still plans to purchase a pony from Deor’s uncle, so he will hold off on looking here.
Deor, excited to see his mother and family, will carefully go over the cloth and spices he purchased in anticipation, and will also practice his spells carefully, expecting to be asked to show the family what he’s learned in the city. He’s quite excited to be getting home and chatters about this to almost anyone who will listen.
So the party moves on after a nice lunch and a few hours rest. As the group rides into Rohan, they start seeing more fields and houses and side roads and paths. That night the party can actually stay in a large Inn with good stabling.
**July 9[sup]th[/sup]-11[sup]th[/sup]: **The travel is easy with inns and taverns along the way.
On the 11th the party reaches the path to Deor’s Uncle by 10am. Here is a good place to rest a bit and Deor would like to pay visit to some of his extended family. It will be but another two hours to Edoras or 20 minutes to his family’s place.
His Uncle has a large place with many stables. He acts primarily as a dealer for a sort of collective and has an excellent reputation.
Of course all the very best horses go to the companies of the Éoherë. These days the Éoherë has 100 companies of a full 120 riders each and there is the ability to raise a large number of reserve companies with older riders.
He might be able to get a cavalry horse or two for Deor and his friends however. These are great horses. Nearly as fast as a Light War and as strong and powerful as a Heavy War. The are very expensive however. They start at 500 gold with tack.
Sir Thoroncir greets Deor’s uncle. He is more than satisfied with his light warhorse Seafoam, but will look over the available horseflesh and try to learn more about the trade. He will accompany Princess Gilraen, if she wishes.
“Uncle Aldor!” Deor shouts, pounding excitedly on the door. When Aldor comes to the door, Deor jumps on him in a bear hug, almost knocking over the slight, bespectacled man who answers the door. After a moment of reunion, Deor introduces his friends, noting Aldor’s well-hidden excitement as he is introduced to the Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves, and other notables in the party. Deor also goes over to his horse (a coming-of-age present from Aldor himself) and pulls several bottles of spices out of the saddlebags and makes a present of them to Aldor.
Uncle Aldor greets his nephew joyously. “How is your brother doing? We still need to breed his mare Nelalof before long. She is a very good horse, worthy of a Mearas.”
He seems genuinely happy to meet Gwaelur, Gil-Gandel, Miron, Curunauth & Lorliana but when he is introduced to the Hobbits, his joy appears more boyish than even Deor tends to muster.
Aldor says in a quick breathless rapid fire string of sentences, "Are you related to Master Brandybuck the Magnificent? I sold him an excellent sturdy little Pony many years ago. He sent me a letter years ago saying that the pony I sold him was the father of his current pony. I hear he has moved to Minas Tirith now. You know he helped avenge the great and good King Théoden against the Dark Captain himself helping the White Lady herself of course. "
Aldor than sights Gilraen grooming her Silver Grey Mare Kali, “Surely this lass is one of Shadowfax’s descendents. What a wonderful specimen, maybe a bit small, but befitting such a lovely lady. Aldor at your service my Lady. My nephew failed to introduce you but then I can see you need no horse from me.”
Thoroncir looks to Gilraen and sees no wish to hide, “Allow me to introduce the lovely Princess Gilraen, daughter of King Elessar and Queen Arwen.”
Aldor drops bows, “I am most honored and that my nephews should be travelling with the like of this party and the fair folk themselves speaks volumes to me. How has he acquitted himself in your service?”
Gilraen, “Please, I am but a second daughter and a humble healer of Estë, Deor has done quite well in service to the realm of Gondor but not at my service, I have rather been honored to serve with him and his friends. Your other nephew is leading a cavalry group for Gondor currently in a small war near Ered Lithui.”
They exchange some more pleasantries with Aldor appearing to be stunned by her presence.
He does sight the pair of swift silver white elven horses and asks, “Which riders belong to these two wondrous faerie horses? Surely they must hail from the Secret Woods themselves or the House of Elrond.”
*Please respond to any of my last three posts in character, this is just to get everyone involved. This conversation will not take place until he is done with the pair of Hobbits. Few have ever met a man that seems nicer or more honest. *
Sir Thoroncir bows and introduces himself with a warm smile, then compliments Aldor on the magnificent horses he sees. “Until lately I have been a man of the sea, more familiar with tillers than with reins, with sails rather than hooves. Although I have heard much praise for Rohan’s horses before arriving in your fair land, in truth now I see that mere words cannot do justice to them. You and your people have much to be proud of.”
Content to leave the more nuanced (read: all of the) social niceties to Thoroncir Miron occupies himself by looking after his pack horse and the riding horse he’s been using when he can’t walk.
Once he’s finished cleaning and polishing his riding gear, he politely intercedes in Thoroncir’s conversation to speak with Aldor for a moment. “I hate to interrupt,” he offers, “But I feel obligated to let my hawk fly freely whenever it’s possible, and so before I let him loose I wanted to ask if you have any rodents or small domestic animals the area that you don’t wish to lose? I can assure you he won’t attack anything too big to be carried off and eaten, but I’d hate to cause mischief by accident.”
Aldor to Thoroncir, “That is a good light war horse you have there, I would guess from Lebennin and bread from a long line of swift brave horses.”
Aldor to Miron, “Actually if your Hawk could catch some of the young Marmots, he would be doing me a favor. Marmotholes can be tough on horses.”
In that case, Miron is happy to tell Swift Wing about the marmot problem and free him to go play, hopefully wrastlin’ himself up several of the farm’s more odious varmits while he is at it.