A Light from the Shadow (Tolkien CKII)

The White Council part 1:
It's Kzorg who the first warns you of the great procession riding to the East-Gate, with an excitation who leaves you smiling. There is something strange to see this young Goblin with his grey skin, his stature between Dwarf and Man and the incongruity of clothing himself in silk bartered from the Children of Aulë. Perhaps it is the gaze of fatherhood misleading you but, like in so many of your subjects, you see in him marks of pained majesty more and more evident as they walk away from the Discord. In Orcs, at least, it seems conversion affects both soul and flesh. Your mind understands the comical effect of one of the Goblins clad in silk and speaking enthusiastically of the possibility of meeting new people. It even seems almost child-like, but then Kzorg is all but thirteen. Still it shows an innocence and a love for beauty who lets you hope for the future. You know all too well none of the servants of Morgoth had use for beauty except what they could create for themselves. You remember in the beginning of his revolt, when his fall was not complete, Melkor created a palace from the works of his hand. He destroyed it before the Awakening of the Elves. Even in the depths of his marring he saw still the light of Eru and it pained him.

You interrupt these reflections and hurry to the East-Gate. You met there with Thraïn of course, eyes tired from restless nights and the Ring of Durin still bright at his finger. Dwarves are not meant to age so quickly this one did. You heard that the Great Rings can give long life to mortals but seeing the wrinkles on this brow you are not sure this life is worth living. Is that what happened to the Nazgûls? You don't know. According to what you gleaned a Man who puts a Ring at his finger becomes invisible, slipping away in the Unseen world. Yet you suspect it is not these journeys who drove them to their state. From what you remember of Sauron's earlier grisly work, there is a possibility of trapping a féa in its hröa, yet if the hröa is mortal, it will rot to nothing and only a wraith will be left. You will have to observe the Ringwraiths if you fight them, but you'd wager they have a body still, just a very ephemeral one. As for the Dwarves, the Rings have their own effects on them but they were created to be hardy against corruption.

And to your delight, Thrain's eyes are rejoicing in the spectacle of the procession who come. As it should for the fairest beings in Middle-Earth are joining you this day to discuss of peace and war, of the webs of the Enemy and the doings of the Shadow. Of the War to come and how to make the world a brighter place. And, as there is no offspring of Féanor in the lot you can at least count for the whole thing to be achieved without murder.

At the head of the delegations filling the vales of the gate are your brothers the Istari. Strange how the occasion make even Gandalf and Radagast look solemn and composed. Three images of marble would make more move than these three as they ride to you, their eyes embracing everything that is. You spy Saruman's gaze pass from imperious indifference to great curiosity as it falls on Thraïn and the Ring at his hand. Well you suppose there's no ill in that. Saruman studied the Rings after all and having one of the Seven in his hand would help to understand how to destroy or disable them. Gandalf is more interested in the more presentable Orcs you have with you and his gaze is appreciative. You foresee a discussion or three.

Next to them are Galadriel and Celeborn. Well everyone sees Galadriel and possibly the noble at her side. Two reaction you spy there. The first is that of course, everyone's eyes go to the Noldorin lady. You understand she is fairer that tongue can name and all that. Still you are doubly happy your subjects are not blinded by the light of Aman present in her eyes but bear it with wonder. Actually you don't think you saw them with that expression since you discovered they could now bear the sun's rays. Celeborn, interestingly, has a movement of displeasure but not against your subject. It is when he looks at Thraïn and the rest of the noble Dwarves his expression becomes wroth. Seriously? It was not Durin's folk who assaulted Menegroth after all and Beren took great vengeance for Thingol's murder already.

Elrond Halfelven is with them and with him are his twin sons and Glorfindel of Gondolin seeming like one of the Maïar in his white garment. You suppose they will be the voice of moderation in this gathering, having neither of the old hatreds or the old differences. They come also with news from Eriador and the ruins of Arnor who are still haunted by the Shadow.

And last but not least come five mortal Men, surely the strangest sight at this council other than your own Orcs. They watch each other with hunted eyes and wary expressions, for the Istari gathered them from five kingdoms and five lines who often have warred with each other.

First is a woman who presents herself as Lothiriel. Your ears are surprised by the elvish sonority but she hails from Dol Amroth by the sea and it is said that in years of woes one of the handmaidens of fair Nimrodel wed a prince of this land and their blood still carries some fey light. She is like a dream of light and a lady of beauty, clad in the blue and white of her home. Still she carries a sword to defend herself and her grey eyes are of keenness rarely seen. She was led here by Gandalf Mithrandir.

Second is a man who seem strangely dark for his features are not southern. He is young and wild with a man of long hair the color of midnight, covered in matted furs and beaten steel. He carries himself with the bearing of a prince despite his miserable appeareance and on him you see the scars of many a battle even if he has not passed twenty winters. He introduces himself as Braca son of Wülf, faraway offspring of the House of Haleth and chieftain among the Dunlendings. Saruman the White took him from his hall in the hills to restore trust between this shadowy people and the rest of the Free Folk.

He is glaring daggers with the third mortal, a woman who looks like Lothiriel and yet is different. Her hair as of red and she has the bearing of a warrior. She is clad in steel and bears spear and sword with consummate ease. She is of the Rohirrim, her name is Morwen like the long-suffering wife of Hurin and only the supreme skill of Saruman and the oaths they both swore kept her and Braca from murdering each other on the open road.

Last of those brought by Gandalf Mithrandir is a man from the farthest reaches of the South. His skin is black and he is clad in flowing robes of red with a curved sword at his side. His name is Hassan and he is one of the Haradrim who chafe under the grip of the Black Numenorean of Umbar. He and his people are hunted as heretics for beyond the god of fire and blood the cruel Umbari force on them they see the light or Eru Allfather and pray to him. He comes with news from the South and an evil who has returned to the land.

Last is a daughter of the Dunedain, raised as many others of her kind in the House of Elrond Half-Elven She comes with news from the forlorn kingdom of Arnor. She is named Miriel.

You can have a moment with TWO (2) of the councilors before the gathering begins. Who?
[] Gandalf
[] Saruman
[] Radagast
[] Galadriel
[] Elrond
[] Lothiriel
[] Braca
[] Morwen
[] Hassan
[] Miriel

On which subjects the Council will convene
[] Write-in