FOROCHEL FEVER
A tale of a woman called Ynel, who once ventured to the frozen lands.
The following is a caption of the story consisting of 7 parts, which are as following:
1. Prologue
2. Dwarves, Angmarim & alliances
3. Letter with conclusions
4. Painful search
5. Fish-tales
6. Strangers in the night
7. Closure
You are now reading...
PART 1: PROLOGUE
Snow fell softly on the shores of a highland lake, turning the landscape grey and blue. On the southern shore of the lake many fires burned orange light, giving the nessessary warmth and comfort to the small trading post called Kauppa-kohta. This was the crossing point between South and North, this camp along the only road that dared to squirm further away and leave behind the sun, the grass, the civilization, and all that was pleasant to most creatures of the world. And yet, there was life here also.
Two figures stood by a large fire near the stables. One feminine, dressed in red and fluffy furs. The other much shorter, rounder, and furry on his own, atleast on the face. The dwarf’s grey beard stuttered a he told a tale, and the woman’s blue eyes glimmered with warm smile as she listened.
Hosgrim says, 'And I doubt you ever tried to hold a blade while freezing in snow and starving, dear miss!'
You say, 'Well.. I have not done so yet. And I hope that I wont have to.'
Hosgrim says, 'Anyway, thats the tale of Four of Gondamon...rumours said, one of the famous Four was Dwarven lass, but if thats true, nobody knows!'
You say, 'Hmm. I don't see why not. Now I know one dwarve story. Thankyou for that.'
Hosgrim says, 'Aye, my brother's wife is fierce with axes! No suprise if one like her was at this company!'
You say, 'I have heard that women here in Forochel are of the same sort.'
Hosgrim says, 'Aye, but not in Bree-land. With adds more questions about your presence here, miss Ynel!'
Ynel smiles humbly and lowers her head. "I am aware that I do not belong here... but I woudln't want it to be so obvious. That is why I travelled with the ranger, who knows this land. I had hoped that he would accompany me, and I woudl so raise less suspicion in the locals."
Hosgrim says, 'Haha, rangers are all but not suspicious! I know few folks degrading rangers to local brigands. But I can agree, they know lands of Eriador well'
You say, 'I do too. And since I entered Evendim, they have thought of ME as a brigand. So I am the brigand of brigands! Behold!'
Hosgrim laughs at Ynel.
Hosgrim says, 'You find bad spot for bandit raids then. Here you can find some wolf-folks, stone-worms or other monstrosities that you never saw before'
You say, 'Well, I am not a bandit. I am just Ynel. I came here...well, it doesn't really matter... but not to brigand. If I were, I'd be elsewhere....here I see nothing of value as of yet.'
You say, 'Are you on your way to this place...zig...lund?'
Hosgrim says, 'Aye, althought I wonder if I will made my way in one piece'
You say, 'How so? Are those wolves and worms to perious?'
Hosgrim says, 'Wolves? Ha, if that were just wolves! Imagine that, dear miss. Half-wolf, half-man, two times higher than mature male of your kin, fierce as wild animal, throwing at your blade without thought'
Ynel remains quiet for a while, clearly imaginng it, or atleast trying to. 'Are they many on the road?
Hosgrim says, 'Main track is relatively safe, with large credit to our Trade Company. Problem is, hard to spot main roads in that weather'
Hosgrim says, 'And if you lost your way...you can find entire pack'
You say, 'But you are still going to dare it?'
Hosgrim nods 'Duty is duty, and thousand curse to these that are running away from their duties, like my grandmother said!'
Ynel purses her lip for a while. "Then...maybe you'd accept company?"
Hosgrim says, 'Hm, I doubt that is road for you miss'
You say, 'I have an axeman with me. His name is Hes, and he is very capable. I am sure we coudl offer you some safety, for your knowledge of the road.'
Hosgrim says, 'Dont want to praise myself, but I have a bit of skills with handling mattock. And even with that Im not sure if I will get trough that wasteland'
You say, 'But atleast you know where you are going... We do not.'
Hosgrim says, 'Ha, now thats a story from Prancying Pony! Hehe, someone told you you find good fishing spoot here?'
Hosgrim says, 'Or nice place to spend vacations! If, you know, nothing break your skull and eat you in meantime... 'You dont know where are you going, yet you are on the edge of the world...trying to get a passage to old dwarven hold'
You say, 'I heard of stories about a king of old who once took refuge in this land. And a bay that has swallowed any wonders out of this world, as if they do not exist anymore. It is almost...ike the end of the world, where things disappear and ceise from being. Wouldn' you want to see all that?'
Hosgrim says, 'A treasure hunter then? Bah, could guess, only coin can summon your kin so far from home! I dont know anything about any king of old from these lands, althought he must been in big peril to hide here!'
Ynel smiles "Then I know much more than you do. And I am not after gold. I assume there is none here. But I'd like to see the bay. For a while I thoguht this was it” - Ynel gestures at the lake
Hosgrim takes a peek at the frozen lake “Oh nay, the bay of Forochel is far upon north from here'
You say, 'I understand it now... The story tells, that the King once escaped here, and a fleet from Gondor sailed to his aid. But no ship could come here.'
Hosgrim says, 'In winter it is pure madness to try dock in Forochel Bay. Dont know about spring or summer, as Im not grizzled sailor. Anyway, thats bad idea, trying to get near sea. It is from that direction these wolf-men came from'
Ynel purses her lip
Hosgrim says, 'Survived two sieges of Zigilgund you see...they always charging from North'
You say, 'Can you not charge back at them and let them disappear from existanse aswell?'
Hosgrim says, 'Full military scale campaign in these lands?! Har har, not possible'
You say, 'Hmm... perhaps you are right. I have yet to see these wolf-men, before I can tell what kind of threat they woud be to me.'
Hosgrim says, 'I can assure that you will quickly run from these lands in jumps when you see one'
Ynel smiles softly "wouldn't that please you?"
Hosgrim says, 'Aye, that could leave one Bree adventurer sticking to lands they are capable of adventuring without getting eaten alive!'
Ynel closes her eyes for a moment
You say, 'Umh.. I rather not brag too much. There are things that ought not to be bragged with.....but it is what I do. Survive where others don't, and do the impossible. And impossible is my mission here. Utterly impossible. Will you help me?'
Hosgrim says, 'Impossible is the close word, althought my folk does not have it in dictionary. 'You must understand me dear miss. Even with company from Thorins Hall I could have few doubts about succes of expedition'
Ynel smiles "I understand... I truely do. And you are kind to take consideration over my well-being. But these peopel live here....and you are takign that road. Why couldn't I do what other can?"
Hosgrim says, 'Theres easy explanation. You are driven by adventure, by willingless of discovering secrets of old, by discovering artifacts'
Ynel quirks a brow "And this is my downfall? Is it not a driving force aswell?"
Hosgrim says, 'Im not here in family visit. I have good reasons to go onward, no matter what. If not, few these we have at Zigilgund...well, they can serve as wolf-folk food, or worse! And I praise the life of them over my own, so this is why Im doing what my Lord told me to do! To reach Zigilgund and check if they are alive'
You say, 'Let myself and my friend join you. If you do not see me worthy...you will find him as such. The two of us will escort you to Zigilgund and aid you there....if you let us.'
Hosgrim says, 'Well, with three of us we have better chances...slightly, but for better! I hope you have all equipment and mounts?'
Ynel smiles softly "Oh, I am so glad that you approve. A chanse is all I need, were it for failure or success. I have swords, and Hes carries a large axe. He usually does the chopping for me, but I am not totally handicap myself."
Hosgrim says, 'Then I propose we shall move soon'
Ynel nods "I will go find my friend. he shoudl be awake soon..."
