Chapter 9 Part 2
Further west the duo of Vincent and Theodore where following the road due north, as they travelled along they weather began to change.
"I think I should of gone with the queen." feared Theodore.
"You can't change that now."
"But what if she's in danger, she might be..."
"How do you know?"
"The only thing known to cut our scales is a black blade."
"She told me of an Elvish weapon like it."
"That only cut in scale deep, and it's also true some some well crafted weapons as well, but only a black blade can do any real damage." Reasoned Vincent. "So she can't be harmed and she as Snarlg with her, so that we can carry on to Bree and craft the one thing we need."
"Wait, why would see seek the White Guardian, if she knows we can craft our own tool."
This caught Vincent of guard and stooped just as he passed in to rain, leaving Theodore just behind him in the dry. He made a slow look back at the young snake.
"See, I told you." he boasted, before he felt the meaning of his own words "Why would she leave us?"
"I fear that it has to the with the fact that, the Elven fellow who followed us stopped his pursuit."
"Why?"
"As sad as it is, we are all sheltered in our city, no war, no crime, no murd." he paused "It's most likely she wishes to ensure we can gain his aid, as we did all those years ago."
Theodore was confused as Vincent spun his head back around and carried on walking though the rain to reach Bree. Looking back in search of his queen Theodore sighed and followed on in to the rain as they made for their gaol and the end of their quest.
Passing over the downs the three made good progress, Snarlg was throwing him self forward his his mace as Elisabeth shot quick bolts of ice to slid forward, leaving Zaron to try and keep up.
"Can you slow down, it's getting hard to keep up." he called.
"Snarlg, stop." called over Elizabeth.
The Grung stopped and looked around as she slowed down and joined him, she made a quick look back to see Zaron catch up.
"This is not what I had in mind." he panted.
"We need to make sure we get there in time to catch the White Guardian."
"Why is this so important, to you?" he asked panting away.
"You seek forgiveness, for you past sins by way of a pardon form the king." she spoke sombrely "I seek council for my sins."
He looked up at her as he regained his composure, as she started to walk on.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"I never ask you to give such detail, that was your choice." she said becoming defensive.
"I seek forgiveness for, for…" he stopping finding it hard to reason why.
He stopped trying to rack his mind only to see she had stopped just ahead of him, walking over he saw her.
"Is that it?" she asked.
Reaching her side he looked over in to the distance, and looked out to see the city long in to the distance. Something took over and in a instance she took of towards the the city followed by Snarlg, leaving Zaron to watch before he to joined in racing after them.
The rain and clouds had taken over by the time the two reached the town, they found them selves at the south gate. Standing in the rain, they looked to the gate that stood closed off for them, but nothing seemed off about it.
"How do get in?" Wondered Theodore. "Do we just walk in?"
"I'd favour, we try and see what comes of it." said Vincent, and he pushed the gate open.
"Oh." Exclaimed Theodore
"Some times, the easiest solution is the right one." said Vincent "Know lets get out of this wet dirt."
"Yes, it's getting every where."
As they came in they closed gate behind them, the rain kept hounding them, looking around they found little sign of a smithy. Keeping close they moved though the town, the people eyed them up as they watched them move clumsily though the town.
Whispers passed between lips as the two looked at the signs hanging on the doors and walls. Eyes followed them and watched them closely, many glances where made to their scales and their weapons.
"I think we are being watched." whispered Vincent.
"Don't worry, so far everyone has left us be. So let them be." said Vincent. "Look, here it is. The Dwarf & Dragon, Fire & Forge."
"Dragon Fire?" questioned Theodore.
Vincent walked in and Theodore followed.
Coming in they found a small forge, everything was on the wall as the door, with the fan leading in to the forge, which was panned off with a rack of weapons at the far side. A Dwarf with no hair on her head, but with plenty on her face, had it cut neat around her chin with two braids on either side, coloured with dark drown.
"How can I be of service of you today?" she asked, turning away from the forge.
"We need a skilled hand to craft something out of this." said Vincent, and he pulled out the Minthril.
"Well, these are skilled hands indeed, I got my fathers skill, and my mothers height." she sniggered before blurting out with laughter.
The two seemed rather confused by her joke.
"It's a joke the locals will get, I'm only half dwarf." she explained.
"Well what can you craft out of this?" asked Vincent handing over the Minthril.
"This is pure Minthril, this is a fine peace of metal."
"But what can you craft of it?" asked Vincent.
"That depends." she said unsure. "There is little hear to make much, a dagger maybe a short sword."
"Is there enough to make it out of that."
"Sure, I can burrow some other metals to use on the hilt."
"No, it must be made of only sliver."
"Well, do you have a suggestion."
"A bow." butted in Theodore.
"A what!" burst out the dwarf.
"Our Queen, carries a bow made of pure sliver, down to the bow string."
The Dwarf ran her hand over the metal.
"Can it be done with this?" asked Vincent.
"Perhaps, you say your queen, was it. Has a bow made of pure silver you call it."
"Yes." said Theodore.
"You must have skilled craft's men to make such a weapon."
"But can you make one?" sighed Vincent, having to ask again.
"I can try."
Racing though the city of the Grey Havens both Elizbath and Zaron hunted for the White Guardian wile Snarlg stuck his head to the ground to try and sniff him out. The two came together along a branch of paths that ran close to the coast, and they both looked over the small wall to the open waters.
"I can't find him." said Elizabeth, her tone was filled with defeat.
"We can't give up." insisted Zaron his voice coated in fear and panic.
"We both came here in search of redemption." pondered Elizabeth "But we have lost that hope, it has been dashed."
Zaron sighed and leaned on to the wall. "What hope is there left for us here then."
The sounds of grunts and growls came form Snarlg and turning around Elizbath saw the White Guardian, she was taken back and was unable to speak.
"This is a strange sight in deed." they said.
Looking back Zaron saw not the White Guardian but a tall young man dressed in in white with a large white pointed hat and white hair.
"It's him the White Guardian." Gasped Elizbath to Zaron.
"That's not him, he's not Gandalf."
"Gandalf, that's not the name of the White Guardian." argued Elizabeth.
"Listen, I am not either of those people, but why do you speak one so wise." he said "Wait don't tell me, you both must seek a way form which you can gain help, but why must you look to others for wisdom. Yes they can guide you, but if you don't learn your self you may never learn at all."
Elizabeth sat down and walked her way along the wall leaving the others behind, seeing her leave the man in white walked off.
"Wait." called Zaron going after her.
Catching up to her she stopped by the water side where the wall ended and she sat down hanging her legs over the side.
"Have you ever killed someone?" she asked.
"Yes, many."
"How, how do you deal with the quilt, from knowing someone's life has been ended by your hands, how do you go on knowing every life they have touched has now been ruined."
Zaron sat down next to her. "Do you know how it feels to loose someone close to you, and knowing you could have done something wishing you could have taken their place."
"No."
"Well, to answer your question, it depends. Some people are eaten up inside and driven to extremes. Others just don't care."
"Which one are you?"
Zaron looked at Elizbath, then back to the floor.
"I lost people, I may loose all my people, but why I wish I could give my life for there's, even to know my own parents. I know I can't, but if it didn't happen I would never be here, I might not be me with out everything that happened."
"So what are you going to do, you have what you need your friends will make what ever it is you need."
"Yes, but that's not why I came here."
"That's the only reason I came here."
Elizbath called Snarlg over as she stood up. "Well, you have already said you can't bring us in, and the White Guardian was on only hope. So what's your next move."
"I don't now." he said getting up, "But I think I'm going to head back and report my failings to the Elves."
"Well goodbye." she said departing.
Zaron stayed and looked out over the waters for a short wile.
In the forge Vincent was watching as Theodore had to pump the fan to heat the fire as the dwarf worked on the bow. The minthril was melted and moulded in the fire strung and plucked, soon enough the bow was pulled from the fire again and hammered on the anvil before being put back in the fire.
"Do you have the book ready?" asked Theodore.
"I almost forgot." Realised Vincent. He put down the bag and pulled out his book and flicked though the pages.
The dwarf caught a glance of the book "What are you going to do with the bow."
"We are going to embed it with magic."
"That makes sense." said the dwarf "My father spoke of the Elves using pure Minthril to be used in creating doors."
"Well, we are going to give the bow fire properties."
Seems like something, I'd like to see.
"Well find out if it works when your done." said Vincent.
Watching, she move around as he put his staff and sword against the wall to focus on the book.
"Is that blade."
"Yes." Interjected Theodore.
"Crafted by the Brotherhood of Dragon Hunters, first forged by my ancestors."
"Are you done?" asked Vincent.
"Oh yes, I just need to cool it down in the water and it will be finished." her gaze was fixated on the book, but her movements still matched her work.
Steam flew in to the air as the bow was put in to the water.
Theodore and Vincent came in close, as the bow was pulled out and laid upon to the small wall. Vincent laid the book down beside the bow and began to speak in incantations the book glowed and the bow glowed as well, the words began to echo and great force blew up form the book and bow. The metal soon grew as it hollowed out and become embedded with flame decals and decorations until the light was gone and Vincent dropped to the floor.
"Vincent." panicked Theodore, racing to his side.
He helped sit him up.
"I'm okay." pass me the bow. He said sitting himself up.
Theodore was unsure but moved over to pick up the bow.
"Use it." he said.
Nodding Theodore was able to pull back the string and a flame grew, before he dropped it and the flame hit the floor. Stomping it out Theodore handed the bow to Vincent as he was standing up.
"We need to get this back to the city."
"Then you must make haste." Theodore insisted.
"What about you?"
"I will wait for the queen, as is my duty."
Vincent laid his hand on Theodore's shoulder, before he reached over for his bag and pulled out the fire stones.
"You didn't have one for your trip, so I'll go with out for the return."
"I'll see you when we return."
Nodding Vincent gathered his sword, staff, bag, book, and bow. Watching him leave he soon found himself with one thought on his mind.
Out side Vincent was looking over the map, as the rain battered the paper, when the door the forge to flung open.
"Theodore what are you doing?" asked Vincent. "We don't have a way home with out the map."
"Take it." said Vincent handing it over "I know where I'm going, this way your more likely to find your way back."
"Your doing to much."
"We can't stay here, even waiting for Elizbath, it will only be a hindrance."
Theodore stood and watched as Vincent let, being left in the rain holding the map and stones in his hands.
Leaving by the east the gate Vincent closed it shut and looked out to the world and began his long travels north by north west. Leaving much of middle earth and his adventure behind.
Standing in the rain Theodore was left to wonder the streets as he waited and watched the gate, over seeing all who entered. Watching and waiting for his queen to return, left holding the very key to their safe return.
Walking back though the downs Zaron make the long trek back to his home land in the south. Left alone with only his thoughts his mind dewed of what he had done and drive it had given him.
Making the trip towards Bree Elizbath made her slow walk, letting her mind to dwell on what brought her to the Grey havens. Looking back with a sigh she left it behind as she looked on towards what lay a head then to her companion.
Snarlg, wile his mind can never truly be know his loyalties lied with and as he followed his greatest possession, his eye still was able to pierce back the vale of what was hiding around them.
The blizzards where still strong out side the city, Vincent was pushing on, holding out his staff to deflect the freezing winds and snow. With a sudden burst from his staff, he spun it around and throw himself forwards, the mountain wall that blocked off the the city was soon in sight.
A sigh of relief washed over his face as he made a mad dash towards the rock and felt around looking for the, he found it. The gap that let him in to the city, passing though and made his way round the bend and charged down bursting out in to .
