"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well, Master Dwarf," spake the Elf, ignoring the blustering demands of the diminutive figure for the moment, "you may all call be Gweluon, for I find that having a name is easier for other races."

An oddly extensive smile spread across his symmetrical features, the tips of his mouth going from cheek-to-cheek like a Cheshire cat, and his eyes once more took in the group - holding on both the Dwarf before him and the man of the East who seemed intent on getting himself slain by whatever means necessary.

[I]'His opinion of himself is high. As is his temper.'[/i]

The Elves' expression did not change as he switched to the particular dialect of the Balchoth people once more - a people that were largely damaged by their ferocious battle with the combined Western forces, yet not entirely gone from Arda.

[I]"You have done nought but goad him since arriving in his hall, the hall of an enemy who defeated your people in a strength of arms - and an enemy who [b]is[/b] a King, whether he is your King or not. I have seen many rulers of the Eastern lands, and I tell you now that there is little to separate they...and him."[/i]

He doubted his words would have any affect on this member of Easterling aristocracy, a class of people he had spent some time in the company of, finding them to be exactly as Saptheth was now. A more arrogant version of the Western nobility, high-handed in victory but ever eager to rile up the foe in defeat.

"The Anvil of Aule, a Valar and the creator of the Dwarves, is an item of two pieces that many thought to be no more than myth or legend. It is neither, for it is real, and should the enemy be able to claim it for their own then they might forge an entire army from no more than dirt." Eorl had by this time returned to his throne and slumped down once again, watching the proceedings with a wary eye, Gweluon almost gliding from place to place in an Elvish form of what humans would count as 'pacing', "you may believe that there is no enemy, that everything is peaceful, but this is no more than an illusion. He has retreated into the East, where many of the people are now held in thrall to the Dark Lord -" his eyes went again to Saptheth and the smile disappeared from his face, "some by fear, some by sorcery, but all those that do not cower before him are forced into servitude." His eyes bore into that masked head, causing him to pause in his pacing for but a moment, "you are to go East, taking first a northern route, and both our Eastern and our Dwarvish friends here will be of much use in the trials and tribulations to come."

As if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, the Elf faced them all and spread his arms before him, "if there are any among you who wish to seal the fate of this world and retire in the face of this journey, then step forward now; if you are stout of heart and body, find yourself a mount and what you require, then join with me at the lower gate within the day."

Without another word, he turned and strode back into the shadows and out of sight, a harbinger of great adventure...or great doom for all those present.

[@BCTheEntity][@DrunkasaurusRex][@Vor][@POOHEAD189][@Sigurd]