Bestowal dialogue
'Thank you for easing my mind and my heart, <name>. Gandalf has returned, and now I think I see the makings of a conspiracy! But thank you for the kind words, and I give my thanks to Gandalf as well. I am very fortunate to have such friends as you!
'I am ready to have a rest, and an end to adventuring. I shall be content just to see Bilbo again, and to return to the Shire. I will write down my part of the Quest of the Ring, all of it, and I will be thankful for the opportunity to live in peace!'
Background
Frodo has decided that he is ready to relax from the ordeal of his adventure, but your own adventures continue.
Objective 1
Mithrandir is in the bower that was prepared for Frodo on the field of Cormallen.
- Mithrandir: 'I am glad to hear that Frodo has decided to write down his tale, after all. It has been my experience that sometimes a hobbit simply needs a bit of a push to get started on a thing, but once he has set his mind to do it the results are often admirable.
- 'I trust you told Frodo that no one could willingly have destroyed the Ring? I meant to return more quickly and tell him that, but Samwise grew suspicious that I was wasting his time and required more assurances or he would hastily return to his master. Wasting his time! Me!'
- Mithrandir chuckles mirthfully.
- 'I was, of course, but that is neither here nor there. All that matters in the end is that you have assuaged Frodo's concerns and helped him come to terms with his experience. He deserves that and more for the deed he has done on behalf of Middle-earth.
- 'But enough chattering. Aragorn has asked to speak with you, <name>.'
Objective 2
- Talk to Aragorn on the field of Cormallen
Aragorn is on the field of Cormallen.
- Aragorn: 'We have come through the long night to the dawn at last, <name>! Many were the days I believed all my choices were going wrong, but despite those errors, we have seen the destruction of the Ring and the downfall of Sauron!
- 'When Frodo completed his task, Mordor was shaken to its very foundations by the eruption of Orodruin. The Black Gate and the Towers of the Teeth crumbled and fell, but who can say what lies behind them in the land that was Saruon's? There is a shroud over the plateau of Gorgoroth, and it masks our sight.'
- Aragorn smiles wryly.
- 'I have not yet been crowned King, but already I am thinking about Gondor's future! Can we not have one day of satisfied peace? Sauron is no more! There will be a new ordering of the calendar to mark the occasion. In the Kingdom of Gondor, the New Year will now begin on March twenty-fifth, the day on which Sauron fell and hope was restored to Middle-earth. There are still many preparations to be made before I can ascend to the throne of Gondor, but today is a day of celebration. My friends and my kin have earned this day of victory! Enjoy this day, <name>, for you too were instrumental in its arrival!'
Objective 3
- Talk to Mithrandir on the field of Cormallen
Mithrandir is on the field of Cormallen.
- Mithrandir: 'Frodo has earned his rest, <name>. His adventure has ended. And yet, Middle-earth still has need of heroes. Gondor will need you, as will others among the Free People: dwarves, Elves and hobbits. Be ready for their call, my friend. A great evil of the world has departed, but there are others that will need heroes to face them.
- 'Do not face them alone! Some measure of the strength of Sauron was bound to his Ring, but much of his strength was derived from his mastery over the weak, and the weak of will. I foresee that some of those freed from his dominance will seek to gain advantage from his fall. The shroud over Gorgoroth is a veil that must be pierced if Middle-earth is to live free from fear.
- 'Frodo will write the tale of his adventure, but the next adventure will be yours alone to write. My own time on these shores is drawing to a close, for my purpose is ended.'
- You look at him with the dawning understanding that his charge was to combat Sauron, and now that the Dark Lord is defeated, the Wizard must leave Middle-earth.
- 'Oh, do not look at me like that, foolish <race>! I am not leaving tomorrow! I will not depart until I know things are well in hand, and your kind has not yet proven that you are able to manage on your own! [Elf and High Elf: Do not try to deny it! I know all your long history, and if there are bright spots there are shadows too. Speaking to me as if I do not know what you Elves have gotten up to over the ages!]'
- He stands there spluttering for a moment. [Elf and High Elf: There is a twinkle in his eye when he speaks again.] [non-Elf: There is a twinkle in his eye when he speaks again, and he seems less like Mithrandir, or any of his other names, and most like he was when you first met him: Gandalf.]
- 'I will say this to you, and it will be my last word on the subject: As for this business with the Ring, I commend you on a job well-done, my dear <name>. Very well-done, indeed!'
|
