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By Root 986 0

from Mindolluin had been engineered by none other than His Majesty Elessar Elfstone, who desires Mordorian military technology. According to Arwen's data, he had set up a special super-secret service for this purpose, the core of which are the dead he had revived with the Shadow spell; the little that is known about these characters includes the fact that they are all named after predators. Esteemed clofoel of Tranquility, why do you think the Troll gave the nickname Jackal to the supposed Mordorian intelligence agent when spinning his clumsy legend? Simply because all such agents he had dealt with at Dol Guldur had such names! I have no doubt that Aragorn's service controls Dol Guldur and had dispatched the dragon here. This prompts the following question to the esteemed clofoel of Tranquility: what did he talk about with Aragorn in private for over two hours, back during the latter's January visit to Caras Galadhon?

Clofoel of Tranquility: Excuse me, but I had talked to him by order of the radiant Sovereigns!

Lady Galadriel: Lord Cereborn, do you see the kind of interesting picture you get when your information comes from not one, but two independent and not too friendly sources?

Lord Cereborn: Yes, yes, you're right, but I'm a little confused… This idea that the clofoel of Tranquility is connected to those… those living dead – it's just a joke, right?

Lady Galadriel: I do wish that it turn out to be a joke. Our first priority, then, is to destroy Dol Guldur immediately, before they get ready…

Clofoel of Might: O radiant Lady, I will burn out that snake nest!

Lady Galadriel: I seem to remember that you and Lord Cereborn have already burned it out not three months ago… No, I have other, more important plans for you. I will deal with Dol Guldur myself this time: we have to knock down its walls once and for all – then it may work. Besides, I would really like to capture one of those beasties of Aragorn's alive. How many people man that fake fortress, clofoel of Tranquility?

Clofoel of Tranquility: A few dozen, o radiant Lady, I can check…

Lady Galadriel: There's no need. Turn a thousand warriors over to my command, clofoel of Might, I'm leaving immediately. As for all of you… Clofoels of Tranquility and the World are to continue their joint investigation; I find that their cooperative work is producing excellent results, keep it up. The dancers and the clofoel of Stars are to continue looking for the magical object that had been dropped on Caras Galadhon, but only together with the Guards, lest the finder decide to study its magical properties alone. As for you, clofoel of Might, you will remain in charge here and watch over all of them: those are really children who may set the house on fire while Mama is away. For example, clofoel of Tranquility shouldn't play soldier with his beloved Border Guard, the clofoel of Stars shouldn't preen before my Mirror, the clofoel of the World… do you understand me, clofoel of Might?

Clofoel of Might: How could I not, o radiant Lady?! I know these scheming troublemakers like the back of my hand!

Lord Cereborn: What about me, Lady?

Lady Galadriel: You, Lord Cereborn, are to represent Lórien's supreme power, as usual: show yourself to people, sign royal proclamations, and all that…

Chapter 63

Mirkwood, south of Dol Guldur

July 31, 3019

The rain seemed endless. Fall-like cold drizzle hung in the air for three straight days; when thunder rolled, it seemed like the gods leisurely kicking water out of an enormous mattress hanging almost all the way down to earth. Over the last three days the little creek that Grizzly's company had just run up against had turned into a raging river tossing small stones in its path. While six men were rigging a suspended rope bridge to ferry over the seriously wounded, the rest of the soldiers stood motionlessly on the bank. Icy rivulets ran down their tired faces, turning sweaty clothing into ice packs and steadily eroding whatever fighting spirit they had left. Running, standing still, and icy chills – a winning combination.

Grizzly