(Here's my second OC! Maethoriel, do you mind if Lainathiel knows your charrie, as an aquaintence? )

Name: Lainathiel
Age: 4,000
Gender: Female
Race: Elven
Appearance: Long, thick black hair, usually pulled back from her dangerously lovely features. Pale skin and sword-grey eyes.
Picture: http://www.sweetandtalented.com/images/lee/lee11.jpg
Weapon: Elven sword. She also carries a longbow and a quiver which, though she is skilled in their use, she seldom uses them as much as her blade.
Personality: Confident, intelligent; is at heart a kind person, though when annoyed her irritation can occasionally come off as coldness. Age has made her uninterested as to what other people think of her; she does not often get into arguments, but she has an arrurance that if a fight would ever occur she would always win.
History: Lainathiel calls Rivendell her home, but she has spent much of her life travelling. She married a thousand years ago or so, but her husband was killed in an orc ambush. Her mourning for him was long and the intensity of her grief made her impossible to approach for many years. Lainathiel has now recovered, in her own way, but has never forgotten her grief. After some time away from Rivendell, she is now returning; it has always been said of her that she comes and goes as she wishes, and that will always be her way.

~~~

Lainathiel had been leading her horse along the narrow pathway of the valley when she had heard two pairs of voices drifting towards her from round the corner. Neither horse nor elf seemed very much concerned; both were travellers weathered by many encounters with danger, and both had escaped alive. The dark-haired Elven woman continued to lead her horse by the reigns along the rocky path, before turning the corner which led out into the pass which, in Lainathiel's traveler's mind, marked the point of three miles from Rivendell. Not far to go.

She recognised the figure addressing the human girl. Maethoriel. Lainathiel could not recall when she had first met her; nor indeed where. But, she was familiar, rolling her sleeves up her scarred arms.

"Now what have we got here?" Lainathiel gave her bored, half-amused smile as her horse clip-clopped behind her, quite happy to follow her mistress anywhere. The girl was plainly Harad, and Maethoriel appeared to be interogating her. "Maethoriel, has it really been as long as I think it? Either I've gone insane with loneliness in all the while I've been absent from Imladris, or you appear to be holding up this young lady on her journey."
She turned her gaze onto Firyal; it veered close to mockery, but it remained pleasant. Yet Lainathiel was as suspicious of her as Maethoriel. She wanted to hear this tale.

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~~Siggy by Lembas~~

Nock and Bolt both looked delighted when Mordelwen told them that she could take them to Gandalf, and they followed her as she led the way down the hall. Nock moved up beside her in order to continue talking while Bolt followed behind.
"My name is Nock Seagazer, by the way. And this is my brother, Bolt Starwatcher."
Bolt nodded his head in greeting, but he looked troubled. "You said just now, my lady, that you were looking after Mithrandir. Is he unwell?" he asked with some concern. Nock suddenly reached out in an offer to take the cup and box of tea bags from Mordelwen, so that she would not have to carry them any longer. Both of the brothers looked concerned as they waited to find out if Gandalf was indeed unwell.

(Sorry for the shortness of my posts. they'll eventually get longer, I promise! )

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just a big man with a suit of armor.
banner by me

(Sure Goldleaf. But I'm just gonna warn you right now that Maeth hates everyone. So, she's not going to be nice. Hey, Hen. Do you want to bring the dwarves in soon?)

Maethoriel let out bark like laugh and shook her dark unkempt locks which seemed to be permanently matted into a stiff braid down her back. "Judging was hardly what I was doing, merely saving time by informing you that I know where you are from so you can spare me that boring and relatively useless detail. Also, you can refrain from going off onto your assuredly heart rending tale of how you escaped from an unfair land - that is what you did right? And made it here after months of travel because...I. Do. Not. Care," she said in her short clipped to the point tone.

Her eyes drifted to Arianna and she raised a brow in a supercilious manner. Stupid girl. Obviously she did not think through the fact that Harad at the moment was an enemy country and so all of this could be a cleverly played ruse. Healers and their compassion, she thought with no small amount of spite. The woman bristled - very noticeably, it was obvious that her anger had begun to take over again. She made no move to stop the woman though, if she were to do something stupid then she would do it on her own time and not take up any more of Maethoriel's.

Maethoriel was annoyed. No, more than annoyed. There were people about. Too many people. And they were talking to her. She couldn't have that. Violent, bloody thoughts crossed her mind and one hand twitched - it would be far too easy. Just a few strokes of her sickles and they would all be gone. No more annoyance. She could blame it on the orc. Say she got there to late.

The thought was entertained for more time than it should have been. But all hopes of such an easy fix were dashed when she remembered the wizard. He would know. He always knew. Meddling, insulting, useless wizard.

The woman swirled on her heel to face Lainathiel. Who the hell was she? Did she know her? Maybe. Obviously the girl knew who she was, but that was to be expected. Maethoriel was old, and there were more than a few stories about her circulating. As it were, she did not even care if she knew the woman.

"Many greetings," Maethoriel responded stiffly, her eyes raking over the woman as if to try and distinguish her. Obviously, she had not made an impression on the half-elf if she couldn't even dredge up some form of a name. "I am unable to say, as I am quite sure I do not know you. And holding up is ridiculous. Interrogating a foreigner is now commonplace."

---------------------------------

Mordelwen gave the twins another grin and waved the on to follow after her. She gave another nod in greetings to the two.

"I am called Mordelwen. It is a pleasure to meet you both," she said looking over to each in turn. Her pace remained quick and sure, but her mannerisms were open and welcoming - Mordelwen was very good at multi-tasking.

She nodded to affirm their statement, but quickly spoke so as to assuage their worry. "Oh, I did say so sir. But there is no need to worry. Mithrandir I am afraid has just overworked himself for the time being and is refusing to let time work to assist in his healing. He is quite stubborn," she said with an almost grave nod, the grave look dissipated into thin air when she gratefully released her hold on the tea and box of bags.

"Thank you," she said, her smile continuing as they walked on.

They past under one of the large arches leading to a relatively short open aired hallway which ended in a large oaken door which she pushed open to find - thankfully - a comfortable, if not slightly put off wizard.

"Goodness, child. What took you so long? I thought you might have been lost," he joked.

Mordelwen's pretty faced twisted into an unhappy scowl and she reproached the wizard without fear, "Hush, you. If you must know the kitchen staff was finding just about everything unfit for the great Mithrandir," she retorted.

The wizard blustered, and his brows knitted together. "Well, that is just nonsense. I need no special treatment," he muttered while Mordelwen nodded.

"Least ways, I have visitors for you!" She said brightly, letting Nock and Bolt step past her as she moved to the side. Her smile brightened as the wizard smiled and chuckled.

"Has she got you two running errands as well? That is a bit more clever than I would have thought," he said with a wink, but Mordelwen simply rolled her eyes at the ribbing.

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Heavens no. Hell Yeah.


Set 1: Nurr | Set 2: Me

Lainathiel stopped to take the measure of Maethoriel. "Lainathiel," she replied shortly. "I can't say I really expected you to remember me - I only just remembered you." She raised an eyebrow. Lainathiel's memory went back a long way; she had been to many places and encountered many people on the way. There had been no mistaking the scars on Maethoriel's arms. She supposed the half-elf took Lainathiel for younger than she was; easily done.

"Indeed." She glanced at Firyal. "Of course there's no doubt the child's a foreigner. But still a child none the less. I daresay a forced march of three miles would be too much for her." Her sword-grey gaze flickered to Arianna, who seemed to Lainathiel to be not so much trying to take a prisoner, than to make a new friend. "Still. In these current times, bringing guests to the House of Elrond ought not to be done lightly."

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~~Siggy by Lembas~~

Firyal'd eyes narrowed as Maethoriel spoke. Her calm expression changed so fast that it could be associated with a coming storm. If looks could kill than the half-elf would have been as dead as a dodo. Firyal threw her head back and spoke: "No wonder that you only feel satisfaction with killing; your heart is as hard as stone that not even that dagger in your hand could crumble it."
The obvious accent of the Harad woman added some mysticism to the words and almost made it sound like a threat.

She cast her piercing look now on the Elf who'd arrived second but the expression on her face had changed. It was much softer now. "Bring me to your Lord" she repeated. "I will speak to him first. Then I shall rest."
With a click of her tongue she made her horse move a few steps to follow Arianna. She passed Lainathiel, whom she ignored as the Elf had not even spoken to her, and Maethoriel. "We will meet again" she remarked to the latter. Firyal pulled her hood over her black hair again and sighed, unsure if she still preferred company over solitude.

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O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

(Sure, Maeth. I'm ready when you are! I just didn't want poor Had to be alone with all these elves or I would have brought him in sooner. [no offence to the elves! lol] )

"It was very clever." Nock teased, glancing at Mordelwen with a grin. "She tricked us into carrying your tea for her by accidently walking into us in the hallway. Which reminds me, I believe this is for you." Nock said as he handed Gandalf the box of tea bags and the cup of what was probably now cold water. "Though I am afraid the water will be cold by now, so it won't really do you much good." He said almost apologetically.
"It is good too see you again, Mithrandir." Bolt said with a smile and a slight bow. "We met in our home in Mirkwood once - though perhaps you will not remember." Bolt almost hoped that Gandalf did not indeed remember, seeing as how that had been the time that Nock and had knocked the wizard's hat into the enchanted river and blamed it one Bolt.

Nock grinned mischeviously, knowing what his brother was thinking. "Oh I am sure Mithrandir remembers you, Bolt. After all, you are the one who knocked his hat into the river once. I doubt he has forgotten that." Nock said laughingly, while Bolt simply blushed and glared dangerously at his twin, giving him an "I'll get you for that later" look.

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just a big man with a suit of armor.
banner by me

(I think would should pause for a little bit until Nerissa and Aramel post.)

Maethoriel raised her brow while her other hand absently traced one of the several scars on her face. She shook her head again, still trying to remember. Of all the ridiculous court manners that had been taught - and promptly forgotten - to her the one that she had attempted to take notice of was remembering names. Certainly she could not be expected to remember them all as she had met far too many people during her time.

She shrugged, deciding that the name did not matter much. Especially if war was at hand. Maybe the girl would be killed - that would be convenient. One less thing to clog her memory.

"Lainathiel," she repeated, she looked as if she might make an answer to the woman's words, but her focus shifted to Firyal once more. Who was being, in her opinion, very foolish.

Her hand went to her heart and she feigned hurt as if the words cut her to the core.

"You injure me so, child...." she said with a feral grin, sarcasm dripping from her words. "But you are so very wrong that it should scare you. My heart is not stone, no, stone can be broken and worked. My heart is non-existent as it were," she said with another cold laugh.

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Mordelwen smiled back at Nock, but it was accompanied by the same eye rolling she gave to Mithrandir.

The wizard took the box of tea bags and sorted through them finding a mint flavor to his liking. He then took the cup and frowned.

"No matter," he muttered, staring into the cup. "I am perfectly able to fix that. Thank you," he said with a nod to the twins.

"Ahhh," the wizard said as his bushy brows raised in recognition. "Trouble makers. Yes, I remember you now. Quite fortuitous that I should be able to retrieve my hat, or I might still be angry with you." He tilted his head to the side giving the elves a look reminiscent of a mother scolding a child.

"What brings you here to Rivendell?" He asked in a more serious tone, setting his tea aside on the bedside table for later.

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Grair Ironhand had walked without pause for the past two days. Now, it seemed a feat for most humans and other races, but as he was a dwarf the time and length were not of too much concern. However, his nerves were beginning to wear thin.

He and the rest of the party led by Gloin were supposed to have reached the hidden Elven home yesterday. And now it seemed that they were lost, or running behind schedule - neither of these conclusions settled the dwarf's nerves. Firstly, their trek had in fact been longer than the two extra days, but the length had been traveled to meet with Elves of all creatures!

The copper bearded dwarf huffed at the thought. Flightly, selfish, and unhelpful race altogether. That is what he, and most others in his group, knew of Elves.

"This whole thing had better come up with some solution," he muttered to his nearest companion. "Or I'll be sorely put off. All this way and still no sign of the dammed place," he continued with a shake of his head. "Just woods," this sentence was accented with an eye roll.

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Heavens no. Hell Yeah.


Set 1: Nurr | Set 2: Me

Lainathiel smiled wordlessly as as Maethoriel repeated her name, as if to conjur up some old memory of her. Giving a short laugh as the half-elf proceeded to adress Firyal, who had issued somewhat of a grim half-warning to Maethoriel, she took her horse's reigns again and tugged them gently, signalling for the beast to follow her.

"I make for Rivendell too. I'm not sure if I can keep up with this dazzling wit," she threw the last comment cheerfully over her shoulder, before swiftly beginning lead her horse down the valley.

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~~Siggy by Lembas~~

((Sorry for the wait, guys. Life's been so hectic.))

Meldiron stood just behind Almarea, who was eagerly breathing in the cool morning air. Morning had always been Almarea's favorite time of the day. It was a time for new beginnings, a time of hope, a time perfect for planning out one's life... It was not that way for her anymore, though, not since the death of her husband. Smiles came onto her face less and less, and the thoughts of her mind grew darker. Lord Elrond had said that that was part of what had brought on her illness, and that she must try to keep as much sorrow out of her mind as she could. It was time to move on. Oh, Valar, it would be hard.

She stirred slightly as she heard Meldiron turn and begin walking back toward the door which they had come out. "Wait for me, son," she called softly after him, stepping toward him in her tottering feebleness. "Give me your arm."

Meldiron did as he was bidden, and helped his mother back into the house. "Are you hungry, mother?" he asked. She nodded in reply with a very small smile, and they then traveled down the halls together in search of breakfast.

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Banner from Nellie

((Sorry about my post... Can we just go on from here because Will already posted?))

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Thanks Nurratiel, *Ennostiel*, PD, and Githoniel

[ I think so ]

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O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

They were gone now, almost as quickly as they had appeared. Vanya rose from her bench, trailing her hand across the balcony that framed the steep waterfall edge. A gust of wind fluttered her rose-pink sleeves, and her cold gaze pierced the door that Meldiron and Almarea had exited the gardens from.
Alone, again. Not that the presence of others in the gardens had been comforting. It seemed to Vanya that people came and went, whether they were close relatives or people you never spoke to, never so muched as glanced at. The echo of voices was simply background noise. It meant nothing.
With one last look at the doors, Vanya swiftly walked away from the balcony, and started towards the house, taking a different door to enter the house of Elrond.

~~~

Lainathiel's voice echoed eerily in the valley as she led her horse along the soft grass. She did not walk with Arianna and Firyal, nor did she wonder if Maethoriel followed. Company was something that Lainathiel was indifferent to; she did not mind if she had it, but did not care if she was alone. As far as she was concerned she was travelling by herself; the healer and the Harad girl, were, to her, simply part of the environment. The Elven song was strange and beautiful in the silence; Lainathiel did not consider herself a singer, but she loved this song. The best version of it had been sung in Imladris, in the hall of Fire, about a thousand years back by some red-haired girl in green. Lainathiel had never forgotten it, and had been fond of the tune ever since.
"Tinúviel elvanui
Elleth alfirin edhelhael
O hon ring finnil fuinui
A renc gelebrin thiliol..."
Her horse neighed softly, nodding it's head as it obediently followed it's mistress. Lainathiel hushed it absent-mindedly in Elvish, not paying much attention.

(Yes, that song is Song to Tinuviel, and the red-haired elf was Vanya Heehee!)

(P.S. Oops, sorry! Only just noticed this! Aramel and Neri, I'm sorry if we've been going too fast O_o)
)

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~~Siggy by Lembas~~

Bolt sighed silently in reliefe that the wizard had said and done nothing more about the hat than giving them a scolding look. Not that he had honestly expected Mithrandir to be very angry or to do anything to them, but as his father had once told him, you can never tell with wizards...

"We came mostly for pleasure." Nock said in answer to Mithrandir's question. "Imladris has always been a place where my brother and I have been able to come to escape the shadows of the rest of the world - even if only for a while." He said with a small, slightly sad smile that did not fit him well at all.

"But we also have business here. We came ahead of another party from our home to make sure the road is safe. They should be here soon." Bolt added seriously. "And you, Mithrandir?" he asked and a more cheerful tone, "Some how I cannot imagine that you are here simply for pleasure - though of course no one has right to it more than you do."

Nock moved over closer to Mordelwen while bolt talked to Gandalf, eager to speak to her more. "So, miss Mordelwen, how long have you been in Rivendell? In all the times Bolt and I have visited I do not recall ever meeting you, though of course there are many here we have not met."

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(I haven't gotten Hadhod's bio typed up yet, so is it ok if I just post it later?)

Hadhod Stonehelm walked at the back of the party of dwarves, his eyes squinting in annoyance. He grumbled to himself occasionally, his mood sour. He had been the last dwarf picked to go to Rivendell by King Dain, and he had been none to happy about it. He had met very few elves in all his years he could tolerate to be around, and none that he liked, so this trip to Rivendell had been the last thing he wanted to do.

He heard Griar comment from the front, and he agreed with him. Hadhod couldn't understand why anyone would want to live in the woods anyway. Underground was by far the better place to live.

"I hope we hurry up and get there." He muttered to no one in particular. "The sooner we get there the sooner we can leave..."

(Had is going to be grumpy for a while I think. lol)

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just a big man with a suit of armor.
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Arianna bowed her head, if the lady wanted to see Lord Elrond first, then that was fine with her. Arianna led the way towards Rivendell. Her light feet made no sound on the path. The wind picked up, and her dark hair rose up around her like a halo. She continued walking, her appearance almost making her look like a goddess from another world. She closed her eyes for a moment, pausing. Her nose picked up a delicate smell, and she bent beside the path, plucking a light blue colored flower. She started at it for a moment, let it drop and quickly continued on her way. For the second time that day, dark thoughts overwhelmed her. She walked faster, trying to outrace the dark thoughts and leave them behind.

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Thanks Nurratiel, *Ennostiel*, PD, and Githoniel

The old Maia smiled and steepled his fingers together over his lap. He nodded listening to the answer, not too terribly bent on knowing everything from them at the moment. No, there would be time for that later and it would be in a better, safer setting.

"Yes, the Halls of Lord Elrond are most comforting to those whose travels have been less than comfortable. I do believe you are not the first in your wish to enjoy the tranquility of this valley, nor should you be the last, I hope," he added at the end, his tone less comfortable than before and his manner more bent as if a sudden weight had been put on his shoulders.

He looked up at the boy again, his bright eyes more grave than before, having lost their twinkle. "Yes, I am afraid that this trip is not for my own pleasure, but for matters more serious. Enough of such talk now, though, there is a time and a place for it and this is neither of those. You say you march ahead? Scouting the way for young Thranduilion, perhaps? He was not expected to arrive until later, but his presence would be most welcome by his kin. Does Lord Elrond know of his early coming?" He asked lightly, with a wave of his hand.

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Mordelwen looked to Nock, her pleasant smile in place as always.

"Nor have I ever seen you my lord. We must both make ourselves scarce quite often to avoid such a meeting for I have been here nigh two hundred years this coming winter. However, you should have been able to locate me in the infirmary - it is where my aid is needed most. For Lord Elrond has been very busy with the tidings of war from Gondor, and the Lady Arianna seems unable to bring herself to do much since the loss of her consort," she finished on sadder tone, her mouth pulling into an uncharacteristic frown as she spoke the name of one of the other healers.

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Grair and Maethoriel were both standing still when the dwarves happened upon the correct path to the valley. Granted, the dwarf's manner was much stiffer - bordering on blind anger - while the half-elf managed to look at ease with the entire situation. One arm dangled at her side while the other rested on her hip - which was cocked to the side.

If any had known her better it would have been likely they would have taken note that the woman hardly ever made any distinct movement with her hips unless feigning comfort in which she took the stance on because it was common for others to do so when they didn't care.

Grair muttered a curse in Khuzdul, not even managing some assuredly cutting remark so surprised was he.

"Twice this day have I been told so much," the woman responded, a feral smile taking up residence on her face before she skimmed the rest of the group. Most of the dwarves she noted with some black glee had taken such offense to her approach that they had a hand on a weapon, and a younger dwarf had his dagger drawn.

"Oh, but I remember the two of you," she said in a rough drawl, pointing to Grair and Hadhod. "Although," she mused, raising a gauntleted hand to scratch her cheek - so unconcerned with her own well being she was that the sharp glove cut a line on the skin. "The question that remains undiscovered is if you rightly recall me, I suppose..."

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Heavens no. Hell Yeah.


Set 1: Nurr | Set 2: Me

"We have not yet met lord Elrond to inform him." said Bolt, trying to keep the conversatiton light despite the old wizard's suddenly less jolly mood. It had not been his intention to put a damper on Gandlaf's day by bringing up things that perhaps would have been better left alone for the time being. He mentally checked himself for being too serious when there was no need for it. He could obviously learn some things fron Nock on that front. "But I am not in a great hurry. Our Prince was not to leave Mirkwood until tomorrow at the earliest, so he will not be here so very much earlier than was expected." he said casually, leaning up against the wall with his arms crossed lightly across hs chest.

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Nock's face softened from his usual grin to a slightly serious look as Mordelwen frowned. He debated whether to ask her what saddened her, or to think of something to say that would cheer her up. Eventually he decided to try and do both. "Forgive me, if something I said caused you to think of something that saddens you, my lady." He said slowly, watching her face for a reaction. "That was not my intent."

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Muttering a heavy curse under his breath, Hadhod growled. "Aye, I remeber you, elf." He said gruffly, saying the word "elf" almost like a curse. "Much to my displeasure." he added with a scowl. Crossing his arms across his thick chest, he said no more, simply glaring up at Maeth with a dark scowl.

(Here's Had's bio, finally!)

Hadhod Stonehelm (Pronounced: Hath-od)

Age: 84
Race: Dwarf
Home: Erebor
Family: Four sons (two deceased post LotR), a wife (also deceased post LotR)

History: Hadhod Stonehelm was born two dwarven parents in the Iron hills. After that fall of the dragon, Smaug, his parents and he moved to Erebor with many of the other dwaves from the Iron hills. He married a young dwarven girl and together they had four sons. Once friends with an elf, Hadhod came to despise the entire elven race after the friendship with the elf took a wrong turn.
(post. Lotr -When Balin went back to conquer Moria, Hadhod’s two eldest sons went with him and perished in Moria with the others. When Hadhod received the news, his wife became extremely ill and later died from the grief of losing her sons.)

Personality: Hadhod is all dwarf. He doesn’t like elves and is very gruff and usually grumpy, though if you take the time to get to know him you’ll find he can really be a big softy. He is highly stubborn and liked getting his own way.

Physical Description: Had is Short and stubby, though considered tall for most dwarves. He has a long borwn beard which he usually keeps braided. He wears grey and brown, and usually wears his armor, including a chainmail shirt and an iron helm. He usually avoids wearing cloaks if he can.

Weapons: The usual walking axe, a battle-axe, and three throwing axes, plus a long knife. Hadhod likes to be well armed, even if its slightly impractical to carry so much.

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just a big man with a suit of armor.
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