So sorry (again, and again…) about my lack of updates. My stress level has skyrocketed, especially since I lost my job. However I'm still trying my best to get more chapters (for this and other stories) out! Next one SHOULD be for "Praise Sigmar, Savior of Arda!" or "Of Dragons and Jedi". Thank you all for putting up with me.
Surprise was a word that truly fit the faces of our company, bewilderment too would suffice, as would shocked.
Hiccup, being our company's foreman, at least for the Berkian and Berserker majority, blinked several times in rapid succession, seeming to be at a loss for together both wit and word. Lord Elrond took this as an invitation to speak further, "We," Lord Elrond gestured to himself, Lindir, and Erestor, but quite obviously meant Rivendell as a whole, "have recently heard fell rumors from several of Lord Eldacar and Lady Haleth's kinsmen regarding the fallen city."
Eldacar and Haleth's, as well as Amroth, Gondril, and Farin for that matter, faces grew worried; for they had not heard tell of such disquieting news. As, unlike their Berkian and Berserker comrades, the Free-Peoples did not have access to 'air-mail', save on rare occasion east of the Misty Mountains, where the Great Eagles soared, and the ravens of Dale spoke the tongues of men.
Lord Elrond, well aware of the worry this placed on our band's Dunedain, Elves, and a certain Dwarf; swiftly continued, "We have recent word from Ranger Tanandil, whom keeps vigil over those remnants of times long lost, that dark shadows have been seen in the night and a creeping menace disturbs his rest from beyond the measures of sight. We have thus come to the conclusion that fell things have awoken in the forgotten corners of that once-great city of men."
Lord Elrond looked pensive as he paused for a moment before concluding, "Thus, on behalf of the Free-Peoples and all that is still good and just in this world, I beseech you of your aid."
If faces could be relied upon to convey thought and opinion, and to those of the wise, such as Lord Elrond or Gandalf, they surely could; opinions of this request looked decidedly mixed. Those of Middle-Earth looked unanimously as though they would leave within the hour, as the lands of which they hold dear were plainly at stake. However, the looks on the Berkian and Berserker faces told of a decided motley of opinions.
Heather, Astrid, and Snotlout looked as if slightly irked, one could certainly see the cause, they had just given a laborious gift to these people, and now this request could be seen as if a disrespect of the workmanship that they had placed upon the gift thus given. Of course, nothing of the sort was intended, indeed, Lord Elrond would not have asked such of anyone he did not consider trustworthy enough to bring into his confidence.
Hiccup, Fishlegs, and Toothless looked slightly worried, though much resolve also shown on Hiccup, and his dragon's, faces. As they would always help those in need, needless of risk to life or limb.
Our final three, the twins and Dagur, seemed almost as keen as our Middle-Earthian comrades to depart, as such an adventure appealed to their character greatly.
As only one opinion of the opinions present was based on an error of judgement, thus only one of the feelings needed immediate assuaging, as Lord Elrond was never one to let any guest believe he had intended to slight them.
"I do not mean to devalue the gifts you have offered to us my friends," Lord Elrond began, "I only ask this of you as I believe your tales of valor and courage, for I would not send any on a fool's errand, I believe that you can accomplish this task, and thus have chosen to ask this of you. I would never be so crass and base as to so insult those of whom I can see so much courage and resolve."
The effect was both instant and profound, the faces of Astrid, Heather, and Snotlout changing as from light to shadow under the canopy of a forest. Now their expressions revealed their resolve and will to do what they could in facing any adversity.
This, however, was still a dangerous proposition. Lord Elrond would never to be so cruel as to dismiss our company forthwith without provisioning our companions with both supplies of substance as well as understanding. For all else would be folly.
Thus the Lord of Imladris now stated, "I see the weariness of your faces. This matter's answer need not be so quick, please, rest and discuss this tonight. I shall have us reconvene in the morning to speak of this further."
All faces in our company eased greatly, then its members bowed and quietly left the room so as to discuss this matter amongst themselves in earnest, though Gandalf, being not truly of the company, remained where he stood.
A short time latter, upon the banks of the Bruinen… Our company now sat by the sparkling river as it passed through the vale. For both it was a place seemingly crafted for both introspection and thought, as well as it being where all the dragons, save Toothless, had spent the majority of their time in Imladris, primarily sunning themselves or snatching fish from the playful waters.
"I'm not sure, it looks kinda dangerous." mumbled Fishlegs, his eyes narrowed with concerned thoughts.
"Oh, come on, Fishface!" prodded Snotlout, leaning up against Hookfang rather casually.
Unaware of what constituted "typical" banter between the two riders, Haleth now intervened, "Young master Snotlout," she scolded, "I do not believe that you should so quickly, and, may I add, rather crassly, dismiss one of your companion's concerns."
Snotlout opened his mouth to make a defense, but Farin preempted the Dragon Rider, "Ah, leave the lad be." he waved a dismissive hand. Haleth seemed to bristle at the remark, and now turned her gaze to the Dwarf, having raised a finger in both ire and preparation for a fresh salvo of remarks, but Farin then preempted her as well, "I've seen em' slingin' barbs before, a jest, just a jest, that's all."
Haleth directed her gaze towards Fishlegs, for he would have been the one whom to have been offended. Fishlegs waved her concerns away, though smiling that the woman showed such principles as to arise to his defense over such a, relatively trivial, matter.
Haleth lowered her offended finger and seemed to let said matter fall away.
It was now that Hiccup chose to redirect the wayward course that the conversation had taken and back onto its original path, "Well." he mused, "I mean, how dangerous are we talking? I mean I respect Lord Elrond, but what did he mean by 'dark shadows seen in the night' and 'creeping menace'?"
Now it was Eldacar, whom had been smoking his pipe in thought, chose to speak, pulling said object from his lips, "The former city is a place in which many acts of great darkness and sorrow were done during its fall." he paused momentarily before continuing, "Fell Angmar sacked that city near a thousand years ago. Darkness and sorrow may have festered with dread sorcery in its ruins."
It was only now that Eldacar noticed the shocked stares of the Riders upon him, for while all had now been well informed of how they walked an ancient land, hearing the age of such places said more precisely tended to provoke a somewhat staggered reaction indeed.
Eldacar once again removed his pipe to speak some clever remark about old Arnor, but Haleth preempted him, commenting, "You must remember young masters, that this is ancient country, and many deeds, both fair and fell, have these lands seen."
There was several moments pause before Hiccup spoke again, "Well…um, do you have a map? Maybe we can see at least how big it is? And um, what we're up against?"
"Lord Elrond assumed you would ask for such" said a wizened voice, all heads turning to regard the grey wizard approaching, several large rolls of vellum crammed beneath his arm.
Gandalf made his way to Amroth, who being a scholar of ancient lore would probably be more restrained with such aged objects than the others. He then handed three of the four parchments to said Elf and carefully unrolled the largest of the scrolls, producing a sizeable and intricately detailed map of old Fornost.
The riders were awestruck, for one must remember that their homes were in that of a small wooden village upon a modest island. Indeed, they had commented to Gondril and Amroth some time ago that they were quite surprised at all of Imladris having been erected in stone. As such rare and costly material, not to mention those with the skill to fashion such, was largely absent in their lives.
So, upon seeing even a depiction of such a city of men that would dwarf not only their village, but indeed their whole island at least twice over, was met with near disbelief. Especially considering that this city was not only founded, but besieged and abandoned, centuries before even the war with the Dragons commenced upon the Berkian archipelago.
Much of the rest of the day was spent with those knowledgeable of the city, as all but Eldacar, Amroth, and Gandalf had only ever seen maps and heard detailed accounts of the ruins; pointing out landmarks that would likely have stood fast against the ages, as well as the main thoroughfares and likely places where dens of enemies may be sited. Place-names such as The Dome of Sight, The Hall of Eärendur, and The Great Throne Room of Arvedui cropped up from time-to-time as their discussion lasted till the sun hung low in the sky. Though their conversation did not cease with the onset of dusk, said discussion simply moved to the Hall of Fire, where their deliberation continued well into the night. It was only when Idril herself came and insisted both Dagur and Hiccup, who was only recently mended, mind you, to bed that the party dissolved to their respective lodgings in the vale. Most were no sooner asleep then when they fell onto the fine beds set aside for visitors of the Vale.
Sunlight streaming through the small apertures of his chamber and into his eyes woke Hiccup the next morning, though it was truthfully closer to noon. He quickly realized this, from the angle of the sunlight, and practically leapt from bed. Though he somehow seemed to not remember about his leg…
Crashing unceremoniously to the floor seemed to do quite well the job of reminding him.
He rolled over with a groan and dragged himself upright by grasping a bedpost. Shaking his head to clear the blurriness that seemed to hinder his vision after the collision with the floor.
As soon as his sight was once again true he quickly, though with rather more thought than before, dressed himself and placed all accoutrements about his person. Upon completing a final check of himself he quickly strode to the door of his chamber and walked outside, quietly cursing the hour, as he could see that the sun was closer to noon than to its rise.
He promptly made his way to the Great Hall hoped that no one had noticed his tardiness, also hoping that no disaster, whether wrought by the twins or… well, quite likely the twins if it should at all occur, had occurred in his absence.
He was quietly making his way past the front portico of the Hall of Elrond when he heard an unfamiliar voice call out to him.
"Hail stranger!" the voice called.
Hiccup spun around to witness the advance of a trio of Elves, two bearing fine, if minimalistic, armor and well-wrought swords at their sides. The third being a female, and one of the most beauteous individuals he had ever laid eyes on, second (in his mind) only to Astrid. She wore what appeared to be a grey silken gown over which laid a woolen shawl. All three of these people strode up to him smiling.
"Hail, stranger" said one of the males again, before reaching out his hand for Hiccup to grasp. Resulting in a firm and steady shake that belied a confidence in oneself that Hiccup could near feel.
Upon having shaken all hands present the male whom had yet to speak said, "Mae Govannan" as all Elves seemed ought to do, "and good day to you sir."
Hiccup nodded, the female then spoke, her voice a song, "Pardon my asking, but I know not your face. It is rare that we see strangers in my father's house."
Hiccup blinked for a moment, his mind quickly grasping that these must be the progeny of Lord Elrond. He then hoped beyond hope that someone had told them of the Dragons… but a war-yell from one of the males quickly belied the idea.
"By the Valar!" he shouted, "To the abyss ungodly beast!" sweeping his sword from its scabbard and charging, of all Dragons, Toothless.
The next several moments went by in a blur, resulting in Hiccup pinned on his back with one of the male's swords at his throat while the other male had placed his blade to ward the female from the Dragon.
Oh, couldn't he ever have a quiet morning!?
"Speak" the male atop Hiccup hissed, "and tell us of why you defend such an unholy creature!"
As Hiccup opened his mouth to speak, as it was not an easy thing seeing as there was Elven steel naught but a hairsbreadth from his throat. A voice call called out. "Ho, wait my sons!"
Hiccup would have sighed in relief, if doing so would not be fatal.
Lord Elrond hurried quickly across the portico to his children, whom looked more baffled with each stride.
"Father…" the male stop Hiccup began.
"Enough, my son." Elrond waved calmly, "Let the young man up."
It took several seconds of disbelief before Hiccup felt the male's knee remove itself from his chest, and his blade from Hiccup's throat.
Hiccup more than anything wanted to simply lie there, as he could feel a migraine setting in. But, as was usually the case, he knew that that was not an option.
As he hauled himself to his feet the four Elves spoke in a flurry of musical voices, some dark of tune and some of patience and slight exasperation.
For once, Hiccup was glad beyond measure that he didn't know something; namely the Elvish tongue.
As the conversation between the Elves obviously began to ebb Eldacar, Haleth, and Lord Glorfindel sprinted into the chamber, followed soon after by Astrid and Heather. Hiccup soon found that all the others were either pursuing their own agendas, or seeing to the Dragons along the river.
When the Elven conversation came to an end, and Lord Elrond turned his gaze upon Hiccup before motioning him forward, all whom had recently entered seemed to grasp the basics of the situation, and had put away their weapons.
It was several full moments before the male whom had had his blade upon Hiccup's throat turned a wary eye towards him, and said, with eyebrow cocked, "Dragon Riders…"