Miron ends up following Gwaelur into the Elf Stone Inn
After swapping stories for about an hour, Thoroncir and Renee return. Renee is in fresh white robes that look soft as snow. Meridoc is with them as is a Citadel Guard. You are all invited to escort Hodwain to Prince Eldarion and Queen Arwen in the Citadel and for Dinner. Someone has been has been sent to round up Deor.
At the phrase dinner Pippin pushes back his chair and says, “We best be going. Tobur and Curunauth are both invited are they not?”
Renee replies, “I am sure if they are friends of yours Master Took, they are welcomed.”
When he stands up the Citadel Guard salutes Pippin. Pippin looks over, “Oh, stop that, you know I hold no real rank.”
The youngish Guard looks embarressed, “No Sir, you will always be treated as a retired Captain and that demands a salute!”
“Greetings Master Took! I’m sure I was much smaller when last you saw me. We must drink a pint to your renewed good health as soon as we stow our gear!”
“Well met Tobur son of Tofur. I’ve heard stories including your grandfather many times!”
“Mae govannen Curunauth son of Celebrimbor. It’s always a pleasure to meet one of the fair folk from Rivendell.”
Elfstan asks if he can leave his gear with Mulligan’s. If it’s not entirely inappropriate, he will keep Sting in his possession and continue to wear the mithril mail hidden under his clothing. He would then like to spend the evening in the company of Mulligan and Pippin as there’s really no substitute for Hobbits for good conversation and sharing a pint after a long journey.
*edit: excuse this post for being a little late in the flow of things. What Exit? hadn’t made his post when I was writing it.
Although he was initially disappointed that his conversation (and pints!) was to be cut short, Elfstan’s enthusiam is renewed at the mention of dinner. His belly lets out a rumble in agreement. When it’s not rude to interrupt, he will greet Master Brandybuck.
“I wonder if formal dress will be expected?” Miron wonders, the elf glancing furtively at his utilitarian, travel-worn garments. “I suppose a trip to a clothier wouldn’t be out of the question, but I don’t wish to pay the price that appropriate garments would demand. It’s almost a pity that orcs don’t stock fancy clothing in their lairs, if only to confound adventurers.”
Several more troubled murmurs later Miron finally remembers that he owns a set of healer’s robes and relaxes visibly, turning his attention back to the scene at hand.
Ghân is happy to accept Deor’s suggestion that Ghân keeps the Magnifying Glass in general, but loans it to Deor whenever an Identify is to be cast.
DM, Sorry if I’ve muddled up my magic items. :o
I think Ghân has Magic Wooden Armour, a magical way of keeping herbs / berries fresh and a (+2) Scimitar - plus the Spell Stone. Have I missed something? Do you have that info to hand?
Plus have all the animals been assigned to party members?
If Ghân gets the Stone, he will indeed ask for help from those of Estë to clear the current 5th level spell. Ghân is happy to make a donation in exchange, or to cast some helpful spells.
He will keep spells ‘that might be urgently needed’ in it, e.g. Neutralise Poison (and perhaps Call Lightning or Dispel Magic*)
If we’re going to a formal dinner/reception, Ghân will ask if he should bring Fang and Brownie. (That’s what he’d do at a Wose barbecue!)
Miron lets out a short, amused laugh at the covert comment, murmuring under his breath “Ah, if only I’d become a bard: no orcs would I have slayed, but a year on these streets and I might train my own rangers with profits from the performances.”
RogueRacer, the inn was where the party met in the first adventure. Thanks, I think it is very appropriate. I give you a little detail. The King has a personnel interest in the place and it is actually run by two of Barley Butterbar’s Grandkids. It is a very good and large inn.
All belonging could be stowed quickly at the Hobbit House. The ground floor is for the Hobbits and the 3 upper floors for big folk.
Renee, “Miron, thy healer robes are fine. Note I am wearing my own healer robes.”
Thoroncir has met Arwen already. I think before you ever spoke to Gilraen if I recall the earlier threads correctly.
Glee, the Stone is Ghân’s. The animals are not actually invited to dinner but may be left at the Hobbit House near the Citadel. I will send out an update of the characters soon and hopefully straighten out the items for you. I believe you will have made level. We’ll know soon.
So the party proceeds up to the Citadel. There are three more Hobbits picked up along the way. All three in there young tweens*. Included in their number are a Took and 2 Brandywines. The Took is Pippin’s granddaughter a cousin to both Hobbits. The Brandywines are twins boys both 21.
**There is one more surprise, but I will let CatInASuit present this himself. **
This large party invades the Main Hall of the Citadel where flowers and beautiful tapestries abound and two long white tables are ready and a smaller table set up as a head table.
Queen Arwen, Prince Eldarion and three Princesses in ages from 20 for the eldest and 10 for the younger greet the adventurers and friends.
Eldarion greets all with, "Welcome friends of the realm, ambassador from far Rhûn and my willful sister. Please everyone have a seat and let us discuss how the campaign is going. Then we will turn to the matters Hodwain brings.” He seems to motion for Gilraen to join them but she sits at the table among the Hobbits. Thoroncir is somewhat disappointed to not get a seat near her or perhaps relieved.
…Pause for feedback…
Yes, Tolkien did actually use or coin this word long before the current use to mean Hobbits in their twenties. I have always used it the same and was somewhat dismayed when it got coopted for 10-12 year olds.
Elfstan greets the beautiful Queen Arwen with proper courtesies (he hopes!), followed by the prince and princesses. When he first notices Mulli… err… Angelica his face gains a small knowing grin and he gives her a quick wink. He then approaches close enough to whisper, “Nice to see that the cat is finally out of the bag.” or is that suit?
Miron appears to act studiously neutral throughout the introductions, speaking up only when it is his tern to introduce himself. It’s difficult to tell for certain, but judging by previous conversations and the white of his surreptitiously clenched fists, it’s likely that the ranger considers himself to be far less effective in formal environments than in the wilds.
After a brief glance up the table Miron quietly declines the offer, murmuring “If you drop your fork, the hosts are supposed to drop theirs to take the attention away from you, but I’d hate to see what Lady Arwen would do in the face of a authentic Wose belch.”
I believe you are mistaken, kind sir. Thoroncir first met Gilraen while on an errand for his Order a few months before the party assembled for its initial adventure. He next met her when she and her mentor came out from Minas Tirith to help heal the party as it returned from that adventure (previous thread, post 808). The Queen was not present when Eldarion first met with the party, in the Courtyard of the White Tree (post 841), nor did Thoroncir sup with her later (posts 862, 869).
I guess the cat’s out of the bag as to Renee’s true identity now (viz. Eldarion’s comment about “my willful sister”). So Mulligan is a girl, and Renee is a princess. Who else is hiding something? Hmmmm.
:: looks oddly at Gil-Gandel, wondering if he’s really an Ent… ::
Thoroncir bows low to the Queen, Prince Eldarion and the young princesses, and is on his best behavior as the dinner progresses. Awed as he is by the setting and the company, he cannot keep his eyes from occasionally drifting towards Princess Gilraen, wishing they were seated together. Still, all in all he enjoys himself. In finally making the Queen’s acquaintance, he sees that his beloved came by her beauty and wisdom naturally.
When he has a moment alone with her, Thoroncir good-naturedly chides Angelica Took: “Well met, my lady. You had me deceived all along. But tell me…Renee, I mean the Princess Gilraen, and Elfstan and Ghan all knew your secret, but I did not? Are Sea-Knights such blabbermouths and free-talkers that I could not be trusted with such a confidence?”
