Ulthuan

"I will stay here, or at least in this area whilst we wait and prepare."

Angloth and Uialfea slipped back down the secret tunnel and out into the wilderness of the Falas to return to seek out the dwarf again. Ainare meanwhile began to more thoroughly investigate the sanctuary of the hidden fastness. It was left to Alcarmor and Elenquenwë to begin the return journey to the Isle of Balar.

OOC: I will expand on this if I have the right of what you are proposing to do. Also, I don't intend to be overly long about these segments. It's past time to get some real challenges and adventure going.

Angloth maintained a brisk pace, it was not a case of searching for hidden ways now, though once or twice Uilfea had to correct their course just a little. "Hopefully his sense of survival shall help us, failing that, I have another idea." Briefly his thoughts rested on what lay in his travel pack before returning once more to the journey ahead.

As he left, Alcarmor began planning what would be needed. He had supervised the construction of the manor of the House of the Seven Lakes near Himring. He did not personally know what would need to be done, and the architect and builders of the mansion had perished during the attack of Gorfaug or at the Nirniath Arnoediad. However, of all of the group he had the best idea of the logistics involved; and so he began to plan the new settlement and its defences in his mind.

"So by boat or by land do we travel?" Elenquenwë asked Alcarmor. The minstrel was not sure this was the right course of action and inwardly thought it was somehow futile to hide in the vale. Besides he missed Tiniel immensely and wished to discuss recent events with Maglor.

The quickest route is by sea, so Alcarmor and Elenquenwë head for the coast, hoping to signal one of Cirdan's ships that patrol the coast. Meanwhile Angloth and Uialfea travel north to the Ered Wethrin, intending to seek out the petty dwarf once more.

Alcarmor and Elenquenwë travel down the coast for many days before a ship is spotted. Lighting a fire they signal to it and the ship draws in toward land for a closer look. Seeing Noldor upon the shore the mariners send a small craft to pick them up and soon the ship is flitting south to the Isle of Balar.

The two pairs arrive at their destinations not too many days apart. (OOC: for continuity I'll play it as the same time)

*****

The petty dwarf is less than pleased to see unwelcome intruders appear from beneath the falls once again, but his ill mood lessens slightly when he sees who it is. "What do you want now," he asks gruffly.

*****

Upon Balar, Alcarmor and Elenquenwë are swiftly escorted into the presence of Gil-galad, Cirdan, Telumendil and others. The representatives of the Nargothrond refugees look upon the two of them with hope. "Has your search borne fruit?" asked Cirdan.

"Aye, it has," Alcarmor said, more cheerful than he had felt in a long time. "A hidden valley, watched over by the servants of Manwe, possessing all natural resources that one could hope for."

"We want for nothing, save if wanting friendship should be disallowed." Briefly an eyebrow rose in curious questioning before dropping once more. "Your words provide faithful, thus we would wish to offer you sanctuary among us," he rolled his wrist. "Or with us, if that proved more acceptable to you." Brow furrowed curious at the reaction, mentallly he prepared himself for the inevitable hostile reaction to the suggestion and already had a second offer in thought should it come to it.

Telumendil shouted cheerfully at this news, and even Cirdan cracked a small smile. "That is well," said the shipwright. "Then all those who wish to seek this new home may do so."

All of those who had escaped the sack of Nargothrond eagerly volunteered to accompany Alcarmor and Elenquenwë. Some even of Gil-galad's people chose to do so. The preparations for this would take a few days or more. In all several hundred Noldor assembled to board Cirdan's ships to return to the Falas and the new haven.

*****

The dwarf looked dubious. "Friendship from an elf is nothing something I am accustomed to, but though you have pursued me before you did me no harm, where others of your kind," - he knew no distinction between Sindar and Noldor - "have tried to kill me on many occasions." He looked gloomy. "Not all are you like, master smith. If I came with you would others wish my death?" Something in the dwarf's expression said that he would welcome the company, but that longing was matched by his mistrust of the elves. He teetered on the edge of decision, Angloth noticed.

There is a look fo sadness deep in his eyes. "I would offer the word of what protection I could, but the blood that runs between us runs deep. Some will not be willing to bridge such. Treachery and mistrust have been our downfall to often, thus I speak to you truely." Angloth dropped to one knee before the Naugrim, "thus I offer sanctuary, and some friendship. Though you are now aware, not all shall look upon you in kindness."

Elenquenwë approached Cirdan. "Indeed we are blessed by the Valar. Such a beautiful vale under the vigilant eye of Manwës servants. However I wish to address you with another matter." Elenquenwë paused tasting the words. "I wish to build a nexus of lore, both lost and forgotten, whatever exists in our memory of times lost. I will need several scribes and with your blessing copy books and scrolls of lore, in return I offer you a copy of my own writings on Worms and Drakes."

Elenquenwë bowed and awaited Cirdans answer for this matter meant much to him.

The shipwright nodded. "Of course, Elenquenwë, what I can do for you I shall. Any tomes or scrolls that we are possessed of multiple copies of you are welcome to invest in. I can not force any scribe or loremaster to go with you but I shall see if there is any one that would go with you."

"Thank you Master Cirdan, it was not my intent to force anyone into service. In the hidden vale I will supervise the gathering of lore under my auspice, but any help will be much appreciated. Keep my book for now and make a copy if you wish." Elenquenwë said respectfully.

Cirdan accepted the offered book with grace and dignity. "Thank you Elenquenwë," he said.

The immigrants made ready to depart. Talas and several others of Cirdan's captains prepared their ships to transport the Noldor and the possessions they brought with them. Among them were skill craftsman of all kinds, warriors, artisans, women and children and two masters of lore from among Gil-galad's clans. In all nearly four hundred embarked up the return to Falas.

*****

The dwarf pondered. "I cast myself upon your protection," said he at last. "Trusting that you will ensure that those that mean me harm are kept away. You may call me Ibid."

Angloth rose with a touch of a relieved smile. "Good. Now, we should pack all your possessions you deem worthy of taking and then depart. It would be best to not let any of the yrch patrols you have seen crossing the valleys before us spot us now."

Before the refugees departed to their new home in the Vale of the Falas, Alcarmor spoke to Cirdan. "It weighs heavily upon my mind that what is currently hidden may not long remain so. Should Morgoth discover our refuge, it is my mind that the only route of escape would be with your people. If I were to have a beacon constructed upon the shore, your people might know if we are in need."

Cirdan nodded thoughtfully. "Brithombar and Eglarest are home to orcs now, and Barad Nimras as well. Vinyamar is watched and too far from the region wherein you have taken refuge. There is a small point to the north of Brithombar upon which you could raise a beacon tower. Set it there and my mariners will watch the promontory when they pass it by. But have a care, for those lands are watched, and not all among the birds and beasts are friends either. Keep it small, and make it natural looking, until it is needed."

"Now, have you all that is needed? If so, let the return begin!"

*****

Ibid nodded shortly. His possessions were easily packed, for apart from the clothes he wore and the dagger at his belt he had few other possessions. Carefully he stowed the Sunflower in his sack, closely wrapped in cloths and then he returned to Uialfea and Angloth. "I am ready," he said, and followed them to the hidden path behind the falls. Before they entered it, Ibid looked out over the forest for signs of orc patrols; there were none near enough to see.

"Uilfea, if you would lead on." A raised arm pointed to the world. A slight smile graced his lips as they trekked back. "Now," turning his attention to the dwarf. "What skills do you bring to this hidden community of ours?"

The responsibilities weighed heavily upon his shoulder and clouded his mind. Still it was outweighed by the possibilities of the lore that could be gathered and created within the vale...and Tiniel. Alcarmors idea about the beacon had lifted his spirit and gladdened his mood. He was as ready for the return as he could be.

Uialfea, Angloth and Ibid processed slowly over the plain of the Falas, careful to avoid detection. With the dwarf, skilled as he was, their progress was still slow. "Though it has been over long since I've had need of such skills, still long in my memory are the abilities to work with stone, to seek treasures within the earth. As well many years of living on my own have honed my skills in the woods, so that I dare say, nearly are they come to those of one of your race. I know where to find roots and other foods." said Ibid in response to Angloth's questioning.

*****

Much to the south, even as the dwarf and his two escorts approached the hidden realm, the ships of Cirdan pitched through heavy swells approaching the promontory upon which they would disembark the settlers of the new city who accompanied Alcarmor and Elenquenwë. These two once more stood at the bow of Talas's ship with the captain and he pointed to the spit of land as it grew, saying, "Thither is the point of which Cirdan spoke. Build your beacon here and if it is ever lit, our captains will know that peril has befallen you and we will seek your aid as we can."

Angloth's head nodded as Ibid spoke. "Good, good. My own skills do not sit with that of the earth and stone beneath our feet, yet it shall be something of import to the building of this refugee. While the later shall undoubtedly prove the greater skill while all is in infancy."

The three journeyers from the north reached the secret passage after several more days travel. Passing beyond the tunnel into the cave they see no immediate sign of Ainare. Lintaramë, the great eagle, is high aloft, distant to the eye, so far above is he.

***

OOC: Ainare post the actions we discussed. As of this post, by my time estimates everyone is roughly at the same time as of my last posts pertaining to you. And congrats all, with this post we surpass Howling Winter. Onward and upward!

For a moment Angloth just stood, admiring the valley once more. "I wonder when the others shall return?" He turned to the others with a smile. "Welcome to our new home."

"We will start building the beacon in earnest." Elenquenwë said as he enjoyed the fresh breeze, the salt of the ocean and the seagulls song. "But for now I wish to see my companions and brother again. I hope they have fared as well as we did."

In small groups, so as to avoid any detection, the settlers move slowly into the secret valley, finding Ainare, Angloth, Uialfea and Ibid waiting for them. There are some questioning and suspicious looks for the dwarf but the Noldor have had dealings with the Naugrim before and this lesser cousin of those dwarves is not treated as would be done by the Sindar. Most of the newcomers ignore him.

Swiftly the work of building the city begins, led by the stonemasons and aided by the knowledge of the dwarf. With construction underway Ainare is finally able to work on his own plans for the defense of the city. Angloth lends his skills as needed as well.

A temporary encampment springs up, forming the base for the construction efforts. This will take time to complete. Elenquenwë once again feels the pull to return to Ossiriand to see Tiniel.

ooc: Aaargh! It ate my post!

Alcarmor organised a meeting for the following week, where all in the new settlement could discuss the naming and governance of the hidden valley. As well as supervising the construction, organising shifts for duties such as gathering food and watching the entrances, Alcarmor drew up with Angloth and Uialfea an evacuation plan to the beacon - for in his mind, it was all but inevitable that it would be needed one day. Against that day, it would be necessary to give offerings to the eagles as a token of their friendship. With their presence, Alcarmor hoped to learn of any enemy long before they reached the valley.

Not being able to help much with constructions and defenses, Elenquenwë decided to keep a logbook of their progressions.
Primarily notifications of the hidden vale, names of the workers and families to be kept in the lorebuildings vault. Secondary to keep his mind occupied from the thoughts of Tiniel.
Often when work was done he would silently escape through the exit to the sea and admire the powers of the ocean, while looking west his thoughts threathening to consume him, but at the same time strengthening his resolve.

Elenquenwë compiles brief histories of those who have settled here, and details the ongoing construction in his new book. His excursions brought him solace, and solitude, and even friendship, for when he was alone the eagle Lintaramë would drop from the sky and speak with him on occasion. Elenquenwë learned that a number of others of Lintaramë's kind lived in eyries high upon these peaks. It was not always him they espied aloft, scanning the surrounding region with piercing eyes.

One such day in Lintaramës company Elenquenwë sighed, his face full of sadness.
"I enjoy this place, the high cliffs, the roar of the ocean and the fresh breeze. But something is missing." He looked at the eagle with respect.
"Do you know of such things as love with no boundaries?" Elenquenwë asked and without waiting for a reply he continued. "I feel such love for a maiden far away from here in Ossiriand and my heart cries everyday for she knows naught of my fate."

As the groups arrived , Angloth ensured Ibid was properly introduced and due thanks were given for his knowledge of this place.
He continued to busy himself with work. The greater work of masonry he left to those of more able mind while that of wood and steel and jewel he laid down himself. Great wooden doors of intricate skill he built for their main hall. It was, pleasant to be able to lay down his arms and armour and take up the hammer and tools.



OOC: Rolled some random rolls for anything. 12+6, 6, 10, 8, 6.