Throne Room

[Cirdan the Shipwright]

Here, in the centre of Mithlond, lies a magnificent building built shortly after the first age by the dwarves of nearby Belegost. Once this palace belonged to King Gil-galad but after his death it became the abode of his steward, Cirdan the Shipwright, who now rules in his place.
The throne room itself is built in the traditional noldor style although traces of sindar desighn are also evident. The main throne is unoccupied as a sighn of respect for Gil-galad and it is on a smaller one to the right where Cirdan sits and recieves ambassadors from the various kingdoms of Middle Earth.

[Morhin]

A messenger from Rhun arrived at the gates of Lindon, bearing a message from Rawhide, Grand Warmaster of Rhun. "My Lord says to the lord of Lindon, and all elven folk, that they are free to travel in the lands of Rhun. There is a fortress on the boarder of Rhun that protects our boarder. Rawhide asks that any elves coming to Rhun stop their first and check in. That way he will know how many are in the lands he must protect. He regrets that he can not give military aid to Lindon as of yet, but to think of Rhun as a place you need not fear."

[Cirdan the Shipwright]

Cirdan beamed at the messanger. "This is great news indeed and although a full military alliance has not yet been achieved this is certainly a big step in relations between our two peoples. At the moment only my messanger Galdor and his twenty companions are in Rhun. Do you require them to go to the fort before doing any further operations?"

[Morhin]

The messenger answered, "I do not know lord. Sence they have already met with the Warmaster he knows of their buisness. I would say that they do not. But I am not the Warmaster, only his servent. I was also bidden to give to you a gift." He removed several wine skins from his horse and presented them to Cirdan. "These skins are full of the best wine in Rhun. My lord knows how the elves love to throw freasts and banquits. But he send a warrning with them. This wine is very potent, even by elven standards. Two or three glasses of this will put an elf flat on his back. Mixing it with water will lower it's potency, but not it's flavor." The messenger bowed and said, "I must return to my Warmaster, Farewell, Elves of Lindon."

[Cirdan the Shipwright]

Cirdan watched the emissary leave and then looked at the skins of wine. "A wine that potent should be saved for a special occasion" he thought to himself and smiled thinking of the unlucky man, elf or dwarf who was going to drink it.

[hobobagins09]

Tulmind smiled and bowed low to Cirdan as he entered the chamber. "Well met, my good steward, a fine prize you hold in your hands." He walked closer to look upon the skins. "Wine from Rhun if I believe," he mentioned as he caught a scent of strong alcohol, "a potent liquid from my own account." He saw the steward smile at that and he took heart that the loss of Gil-Galad did not wiegh too heavy on Cirdan's shoulders. Tulmind shifted and asked, "May I inquire as to why a messenger from Rhun has visited you? I am sure that the purpose was not solely to present you the skins. Though I would not complain if that was so." Once again he let a sly grin creep upon his face as he looked to the steward.

[Cirdan the Shipwright]

Cirdan smiled as he heard Tulmind's question. He had been expecting such a thing especially due to Rhuns recent movements against Rohan. "As Chief Shipwright of the Havens it has always been my duty to ensure that all elves have a chance to journey unto the Undying lands. Rhun has many settlements of Avari elves, most of whom have not even heard of the Valar. I sent a messenger asking for an alliance with Rhun to ensure that I could send some of my elves to teach the Avari of the powers. Due to the recent conflict the lord of Rhun refused an alliance although he has given my people free access to the Avari as long as our nations remain at peace. It was the exact terms of this treaty that the Rhunic messenger was bringing to me. The wine was a gift of goodwill."

[hobobagins09]

Tulmind furrowed his brow before Cirdan finished the sentence. "This is an odd move by Rhun," he responded slowly, more talking to himself than to Cirdan, "to skirmish with Rohan, from which I traveled, refuse an alliance with Mithlond but allow you to visit these Avari elves and to send a treaty with these skins?" He let his left arm cross his lean chest and support his right elbow as he rubbed his temple with his two fingers. "It would seem that they want relations with us to be intact and well but not enough to comitt for an official alliance." Tulmind stopped and crossed both his arms and stated, "I sense an attack on Rohan." He smiled as the few meager pieces began to grow and take form. "They knew that if Rohan were to be attacked, Mithlond would asuredly join the fray. Now with this treaty and sentimental wine I presume that they wish to confuse our alligence long enough as to where we can no longer offer our aid." It made sense to Tulmind but he could tell from Cirdan's sceptical look that he was not in complete concordance. In response Tulmind said, "In any effort, I would not be so quick to see our messenger off."

[Cirdan the Shipwright]

Cirdan frowned deeply at the elf's reply "What you say may be true. The easterlings were once men of darkness and in Belariand they betrayed us to Morgoth." A shadow passed over Cirdan's face "Your talk of war sits heavily upon my heart. The last time we elves of Lindon went to war thousands died and back then our numbers were ten times greater than the meager forces I command now." Cirdan looked directly into Tulimd's eyes "We elves are fading, even you must know that the age of Men is at hand. I only stay to ensure elves the safe passage westward and to declare war on Rhun jeapodisees that purpose. No, Lindon will not go to war. We will wait and see how events unfold but remeber that it was such talk of war that brought down Nagothrond aeons ago and I do not like to repeat the mistakes of the past."

[hobobagins09]

Tulmind firmed his jawed and answered, "I care not if our time fades!" A little more harshly than he had intended, "With all do respect m'lord we cannot sit back as innocents perish. You say that thousands die in the past? Thousands will die surely if this is to pass, thousands that we could have saved! The past is exactly that my friend, the past. We should not fear it but embrace and use it to our advantage." Tulmind had to mentally calm himself, reminding himself time and time again that Cirdan did truly care. Even as Tulmind spoke he could see the wound in his eyes, he did not want to go to war but he could tell that the steward wanted deeply to help Rohan. And that was somthing that Tulmind could not fight against and could not hold against Cirdan. "My friend," Tulmind said to alliviate the growing tension, "if you will not go to war then send myself with two score elves to aid Rohan. Show them that Mithlond has not completely abandoned them." Tulmind felt he had made some headway with that statement but Cirdan was unreadable as he mulled over the thought.

[Cirdan the Shipwright]

"What you say has merit but I am afraid I cannot help you. The defense of the Havens is my number one priority and I cannot risk losing my meager army. However know this, any warrior who wishes so may follow you to battle." Cirdan sighed and leaned back in his chair "Go, gather those who will follow you an dmarch to Rohan's aid but know that I will not force any of Lindon's elves to go it they do not want it."

((OOC: Take some of my troops but be realistic. Remeber most elves come to Lindon awaiting ships to take them to Valinor so no more than half at the most will be willing to join you.))

[hobobagins09]

(I don't intend to take that many. Probably no more than what I say, two score. Which is 40. But yes I like to be very realistic, I hate when people make their charries with the ability to incinerate entire armies! It's just BOOM! and they're all dead! Lol)

"I would not wish to force anyone either." Tulmind said slowly suddenly feeling the weight of his decision. He swayed visibly in the hall as he became disoriented. "I think I might need a glass of that wine straight, before I depart." Tulmind bowed low and headed out of the hall and went to assemble what was Mithlond's small army. It did not take him for they all knew something was amiss when a messenger from Rhun had arrived. "Thank you all for assembling so quickly," Tulmind shifted uncomfortably as he felt their questioning gazes settle on him, "Cirdan and I have agreed that we believe Rohan to be in danger. But we also agree that we cannot dispatch the army in full. He has allowed me to only collect those of you that wish to aid the cause." Slowly drawing an arrow from his quiver he drew a thin line in the sand in front of him. He looked to all of the men before adding, "Therefore, it is your choice."
After a few uncomfortable moments passed he began to see shifting in the mass as soldiers made their way to Tulmind. Only a few began to cross the line at first but then more began to follow in suit. Then as the time when on the stream began to slow. He let his mind run a rough estimate of his number and came across a number of around a hundred and twenty. Though through his brigade he noticed Mithlond sentries, Sindarian and Noldor warriors but not a single guard of Ulmo. He frowned as he realized this. "I would appreciate the company of at least one Elite Guard." He paused but as he stared at the tall soldiers with their large halberds but not one of them moved. Tulmind conceded with a nod and thanked those soldiers who had joined him and bid those that who had not a sincere farewell.

(Now if I leave that will give me a chance to rp but not you. But if you keep yourself busy for a while I can come up with a twist that will involve you. And Rawhide if you want to join back in I would have somone in Mithlond detain you or I would come and join me somehow or spy on me.)

[Cirdan the Shipwright]

((Do as you see fit. Don't put yourself out of the way to include me but if you do it would be nice))

[hobobagins09]

(Alright, I'll try but it will be a while before I reach Rohan. I would detain Rawhid and question him or just do somthing with him in general.)

Tulmind began to start the march south as a rather tall solider called his name and ran out of Mithlond after him. Tulmind noted his halberd and smiled, realizing that he was an Elite Gaurd. "Tulmind," he greeted with a bow, "I am Krelyne. I have decided that I wish to join in your aid of Rohan." Tulmind nodded and bowed similarly. "Then let us go, for I fear we might already arrive too late." They made great progress that night and camped not but a few miles north of the Shire. They talked for a long while but even as he made small talk with the other elves, Tulmind could not place it but somthing felt wrong. He did not even have the slightest idea as to why but somthing was definitly amiss. Passing the thought to the back of his mind he began his talk again and hoped they would reach Rohan in time.

[Morwen]

(eeeeek, your running on a sliiiightly diffrent timeline to Rhun lol)

Not long had passed in Lindon, but much had happened in Rhun in that short time. Rawhide was no longer the ruler of Rhun, rather he has reassumed his post as Grand Warmaster; Queen Morwen had returned. And now she had sent her own messenger to Lindon to sort out this alliance once and for all.

Her messenger was Thinzil, one of the Hyermali or Left Hands. The Hyermali were mainly female and were elite assasins and spys, dimplomats; and conpanions of Morwen. They dressed in dark blue shirts, a black leather hauberk and black sandels, the laces comeing up to the thigh. Unlike the rest of the Rhunish army they do not ware metal or ornamentation, prefereing greater mobility and secrecy. and On the breastplate is emblazoned a styalised golden dragon, denoteing that these warriors belong to the Queen only. As Thinzil was here in a diplomatic capacity she wore a white shirt rather than one of dark blue. Her head was uncovered and her black hair caught up in gold threads. She had come on foot, running swiftly from her native land and so did not carry many weopans or the Rhunish flag. But she did not need many weopans, Hyermali were trained well.

Thinzil stopped before Tulmind's troops who were blocking her path. "Lords of Lindon; i ask passage though you for I wish to speak with your Lord; Cirdin the Shipwright. I come with message from Rhun."