The council chamber remains bright with the beacon’s reflected glow. Guards bring the nearest orc through the stone doors, bound and watched, while Tauriel follows with the eastern height’s marked trail map.
Tauriel
The beacon stands behind a warded circle. We captured this scout before the others could gather, but his tracks joined several separate trails south of the height.
Thranduil
Then the attack was not the whole design. Bring him nearer. We must learn whether they sought the beacon, its defender, or the roads beneath our protection.
The nearest orc bares his teeth beneath a split iron helm. His wrists strain against the bindings, yet his eyes keep measuring the chamber, the guards, and the reflected white fire.
Captured Orc 1
The beacon was the bait. We were told to find the elf who called it, mark your eastern roads, and wait for the larger host before striking.
Tauriel
Who gave that order? And where are the others gathering?
The chamber tightens around the questions. Thranduil’s hand settles on the map, Tauriel watches the prisoner’s face, and the guards hold every exit while the beacon’s glow burns across the walls.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn where the larger Orc host is gathering
“She waits for the answer to Tauriel's question.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +3)
Tuiwen waits in silence, allowing Tauriel’s question to stand without adding threat or promise. Her Oath-Bound restraint checks the impulse to force an answer, while Sovereign Heritage gives her stillness the weight of royal authority.
The nearest orc’s eyes move from Tuiwen to the king and back again. Her Dol Guldur Veteran’s memory recognizes the pause as trained resistance, not ignorance, and she waits without breaking his measure.
Captured Orc 1
South of the old stones, beneath the broken ridge. The larger host gathers there, out of sight of the beacon. At moonrise, they strike the eastern road first.
Tauriel’s fingers close over the trail map. The answer fixes both the gathering place and the hour, giving the Woodland Realm time to move before the host reaches the beacon road.
Tauriel
You have heard him, my king. We can reinforce the eastern road before moonrise and keep the beacon covered.
Thranduil marks the broken ridge, then orders Royal Guards to carry the warning to the eastern watch. The prisoner’s disclosure has become a defensible response, not a blind pursuit.
Thranduil
Tuiwen’s patience has won us the enemy’s hour. Tauriel, prepare the road. The beacon remains lit, and our answer will meet them there.
Quest Complete
Learn where the larger Orc host is gathering