Foreboding Reunion (Volume 2 Brother's Hammerhand).
As time past after Koramir's departure. The rumors in the North turned into unsightly fact the plague which some now referred to as the scourge had began to spread. All of Northern Lordaeron was flung into to turmoil. Thousand where dieing, and rumors of undead armies starting to form had been spreading as fast as the plague. Even the King had sent his own son with the Order of the Silver Hand to investigate, but no one had heard from Arthas in some time. It was feared that all of Lordaeron would fall, but there where still those that were willing to fight. The eastern kingdoms where amassing their own armies, calling to arms all that where available. Mixing together bands of mercenaries with soldiers of Lordaeron. It was through this that an unlikely meeting would occur between brothers. The Paladins of the order that had remained had been given orders to take command of groups of mercenaries to prepare them for the possibility of a battle. They where to meet in the square of the City of Andorhal, this very city had once been freed from the scourge by Arthas himself was now a staging point for Lordaeron gathering forces.
"Oi laddie! Get the lead out yer boots" said a dwarf gruffly as glanced over his shoulder. "We're supposed to be meetin these paladins shortly" the dwarf griped as he picked up the pace.
"Ya ya Bwalin... I'm comin" sighed the hulking man as he shifted uncomfortably in his armor trying to catch up. He wasn't looking forward to the meeting with these paladins, and he didn't like that fact they were going to be leading him into battle. "I don't see why we they think we need there leadership your more than capable Bwalin" he complained.
"Aye but that be the King's order and they be the one's that's payin us!" rumbled Bwalin "Besides don't bother me none boy. When and if battle comes and things go south I'll do what I have to do" he smirked as looked back over his shoulder.
"I guess..." the man began
"Hush!" commanded Bwalin "There they be".
The large man looked up from the dwarf to see two men standing in bright shining armor with there back towards them. They stood tall and proudly the sight brought him memories... memories of his family who he hadn't seen in 5 years. He continued to approach lost in his thoughts of his past. Something he hadn't thought of in a long time.
"Here we be... what ye be wantin of us!" roared the dwarf so loudly that he startled the to paladins
The two turned to face the others quickly composing themselves as not show they had been surprised. "Ah yes" said the one paladin as he regarded the dwarf with a stern look, "A little late...” he began to complain when he was interrupted by the other paladin.
"Koramir!!!" questioned the other paladin as regarded the large man standing before him “Is that you??"
"Huh?" said the big man as he was startled out of his thoughts. Blinking a couple times he looked closely at the knight that had questioned him "Eowyrn!!" he bellowed happily as he grabbed hold of his older brother and gripped him in a powerful hug. "By old Bwalin's beard is it really you?!?!" he asked as he released his brother.
"Yes brother it is really me" he smiled inspecting his brother. "By the light you have become a quite the man" he paused "Quite a large man" he laughed taking in the massive bulk of muscles that covered what once was his little brother.
Smiling Koramir extended and arm and prodded his older brother in the shoulder knocking him of balance. "Well the dwarf here keeps me well feed" he laughed gesturing towards the dwarf.
"Hrmph" Bwalin groaned "More like you eat me out of house and home"
"Well" smiled Eowyrn as he turned to regard the Dwarf "I'm glad you've keep him strong Sir Dwarf"
"The names Bwalin...Bwalin Fireforge and I ain't no Sir!!" he declared mumbling the last few words.
"We don't have time for this!" interrupted the other paladin as he stepped forward.
Eowyrn turned to regard his superior with a baleful glance back at Koramir "Yes Sir!" he said coming to attention.
Koramir turned to regarded the other paladin as he hadn't done so yet due to the fact the he was so overcome with seeing his brother. Then he realized why Eowyrn had given him the look. "Greetings Eothain" Koramir said solemnly as he extended a hand to his other brother "I see you have done well with the order" he added.
Eothain took a step closer and took up his brother’s hand in a firm grip "Just as father intended" he stated mockingly
Koramir could have crushed his hand at that moment, but look to Eowyrn and noted the look of sadness at his Eothain's words. He released Eothain hand. "Well!" he stated jovially “why don't we discuss our busy over at the inn where we can be more comfortable"
"I don't think that will be necessary" spoke Eothain matter of factly” We can discuss..."
"Aye!!! I'll do it no other place!!" interrupted Bwalin firmly.
Eothain turned to regard the dwarf. He was going to pretest. But the king needed the forces the dwarf had to provide. Seeing the look on the dwarfs face, he coincided without putting up a fuss as he didn't want to waste anymore time. "Very Well" he sighed "follow me" he turned and headed toward the inn.
The others fell in place behind him. They arrived at the inn of Andorhal and where seated at a table at the far side of the inn away from the prying ears of the bar.
"Keep, bring us ale and meat!!" commanded the Bwalin as he sat at the table across from Eothain.
"We won't need any ale!" stated Eothain crossing his arms "These are important matter that our lord wishes for us to discuss!!"
"Listen here laddie you can do what ya want but I'm…” he said thrusting his thumb into his chest "gettin some food and drink."
"Me too…" sighed Koramir as he put his hands over he stomach" I'm so hungry I could eat a dragon!" at which point he wondered if dragon would actually taste good. "What about you brother?" He looked to Eowyrn
"With your permission commander, if I may?" Eowyrn pleaded with his Brother
Shaking his head he sighed "Very well Eowyrn, I will permit this for you this one time." he turned and looked seriously at his brother "But don't get carried away, we have duties tomorrow"
With that Bwalin and Eothain began to discuss matter of War and possible scenarios that they might encounter if the rumors of an army approaching from the north were true. In the meanwhile the two brother had turned to each other with plenty of question of which they where seeking answers.
"So brother, Eothain is a commander within the Order?" he asked and then swigged down a whole pint of ale and followed it up with great sigh of relief as if he had been dying of thirst.
"Yes, he was appointed the position by Uther the Lightbringer himself. Father was very pleased I've never seen him so proud.” He said softly peering deeply into his mug of ale
Koramir lowered his gaze to his brother after putting down another pint of ale to better wash down the dried meat he had been shovelling in his mouth. "How is Father?" he asked quietly noting Eowyrn was deep in thought.
Eowyrn looked up to his brother and his face was sad and troublesome "Not well my brother… You should go see him!!" he suggested picking up his tone
Koramir paused as he attempted to guzzle a third pint of ale, putting it down before he finished he looked at his brother gravely. "I'm not sure about that brother, especially if he is ill I wouldn't want to upset him" he said fiddling with his mug
"I believe he wishes to see you again Kor... I truly believe he regrets sending you away. Though he never says it" Eowyrn said with a smile
Koramir shrugged as he stuffed a piece of bread in his mouth and washed in down with another swig of ale. "I don't know..."
"You really should!" Eowyrn said seriously "You may not get another chance" he grimly concluded.
Shaking his head and grabbing hold of his fourth pint he raised it up to his brother "To Family reunion!" he cheered
"So you'll go?!?!" said Eowyrn excitedly as he raised his mug to his brother
"I'll think about." he countered “Right now lets just have a good time.” He reached out and put his arm around the approaching barmaid and gave her backside a firm squeeze "More ale!" he winked to her and she rushed off blushing.
"I think she likes you" Eowyrn chuckled finally putting down his first pint
"I'll let you know tomorrow" smirked Koramir as he looked over to catch the busty barmaid eyeing him eagerly.
The talk of past deeds between the brothers continued on into the night, as well as the discussion amongst commanders. When there business was concluded Eothain order Eowyrn to make ready to leave... but he was in hardly any condition to walk by himself. Eothain embarrassed for his brother propped him up under his arm and escorted him out of the inn and back to the barracks. At this Koramir burst into laughter and fell over in his chair. The barmaid came running to fawn over him and knelt down to see if he was injured and Koramir grabbed her around the waist and pulled her down into a kiss. At first she tried to pull away but melted under his strong grip and let herself be consumed by her desire for him. They got up and she led him upstairs and keep hin there until the morning. This whole time Bwalin was shaking his head.
"Humans...can't hold there liquor" he stated disappointedly as he called for more ale.
Meanwhile in the North an army of scourge was amassing and they where preparing to strike. Andorhal was there target and the Leader was the fallen Arthas Menethil who required the remains of Kel'Thuzad to further his own purposes. Soon he would strike out and take what he wanted. The citizens and defenders of Andorhal didn't know what was coming. Soon they would learn.
