Graveyard smash at the Party Tree!

Last Sunday, I attended Hobbiton Philarmonic's annual Minstrel Mash, a concert to celebrate the coming of the fall season. Predictably, Beorbrand had asked me to join B.B.B. again. I acquiesced, not knowing what was in store for me. So after listening to the lovely songs of the Eriador Music Society and the HP, I found myself dressed in a ridiculous tunic and wearing a ghastly helmet, standing on a table alongside Aegthil, Wrenaya, Beorbrand, Blingamerrydo and Carica, who were similarly garbed. We were quite a spectacle -- and I don't mean that in a good way. What was the Lady Ghingeriel thinking when she asked B.B.B. to play? I was glad the mask was hiding my face -- thank goodness for small mercies! Beor, Aegthil and the rest didn't seem to notice or mind the fact that the crowd was in hysterics over those masks. Their degenerate attitude really troubles me.

However, we soon gave our audience something else to think about! With our specially-prepared setlist, we blew the ladies off their feet and made even the strongest men present collapse in a drunken stupor. At least, that was the impression I got from the stage... er, table. All in all, it was a good time -- I was pleasantly surprised! I do apologize for Aegthil and Beor, though. They were, of course, exercising their tongues, and I even heard talk of sending someone Gourgini in the mail, chopped into little pieces. What a thought! Please rest assured that he will not be in pieces -- that would be a ghastly sight. We'll have to find some other way of cramming him into a mailbox, though...

Of course, I had contributed to the setlist in my own little way. In his last-minute scramble for music, Beor had asked me for a transcription of any spooky song that suited my fancy. I recalled an old battle-cry from the soldiers of Minas Ithil, which I had heard sung during my travels through Gondor; something about a bad moon, storms, trouble, and so on. So I went about transcribing it. Unfortunately, my very down-to-earth and un-romantic Mentor stole the sheet music while I was otherwise occupied, and... altered it a bit. I didn't find out until the day of the concert that he had set it to some idiotic percussive rhythm -- completely unsuited to the mood of the piece! I had no choice but to sing it as it was written. I'll leave you to judge his handiwork for yourselves: Here's the abc file, and here is what it sounds like.

I'll have to be more careful about leaving things lying around in the future. Oh well... our adventures continue. I dread to think of what Beor will come up with in the way of outfits for our next concert.

Bards, Beers and Longbeards...

Last night, I happened to stop by Bree Town for a quick pint at the Pony. My original intention was to depart at dusk, and head east; I had hoped to reach Ost Guruth by midnight.

So you can imagine my surprise when I woke up next morning, with a throbbing headache, soaked to the bone in the Boar Fountain in Bree! On the other side of the fountain, an ugly, bearded man in a white robe was snoring peacefully, while some crows pecked at the moth-eaten bagpipes on his belly.

Soon after knocking my head back into shape with some breakfast at the Dancing Goat -- another excellent inn in Bree-town -- I began to have vivid memories of the previous night. I had met this same ugly, bearded man, who was accompanied by an equally ugly bald-headed man -- honestly, the beard and the baldness were their most outstanding characteristics! -- and they had invited me to perform in their band: Bards, Beers and Longbeards.

The concert, as far as I can remember, was like none I had ever experienced before; insults and beer flowed freely alongside phenomenal music. There was one other woman in the band, and three hobbits... though Beard and Baldy referred to them as "bobbits", for some reason I can't fathom. Apparently they were bought at a very disreputable yard-sale, for a deal. What an idea!

Things were going well, and the concert ended... and then Beard offered me some beer. The bottle had a strange insignia on it, with the words "Beorlich's Best Troll Stout" underneath. Things went downhill from there. All I can remember afterwards is a blur of colors, among which a most hideous shade of pink figured predominantly. Thankfully, it was soon replaced with a somewhat more acceptable black. I also remember white... and blue... and some green...

And you know what happened next. I am never accepting drinks from bearded people. Ever again.

Some explanatory notes -- by the Mentor

Hello! This is the Mentor speaking. I call myself that because... well, partly because I'm the one teaching Anarwald and his cronies their manners and their music, and partly because everyone else in the LMB who blogs seems to have a fancy name for their RL personality, and I couldn't come up with anything else that sounded original!

So, more about me... let's see. I'm currently a 2nd-year college student, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I'm an avid flutist, and love transcribing and arranging music -- usually jazz/funk and Latin styles, though any genre works, really. And I think that basically sums me up. No urgent need to divulge anything else. :)

Since you are reading this blog, I assume you're interested in Anarwald's adventures in Middle Earth. I look forward to hearing your comments... but remember, don't believe absolutely anything he says about me!

Regards,
-The Mentor

Testing, testing... *burst of feedback*

Hello! Welcome to my blog! My name is Anarwald, and I am a hunter from Rohan and a member of the Lonely Mountain Band kinship. I started this so I could record my adventures through Middle Earth (as well as those of my friend Giliarond), post the occasional song or two that I transcribe, vent out my frustrations, criticize people... er, no, that can't be right...

 You will occasionally notice posts by my annoyingly down-to-earth and un-romantic Mentor. He really gets quite irritating sometimes, ordering me about the place while I am trying to enjoy a nice, quiet ride through the Bree-fields. Ah well, c'est la vie.

Once again, thank you for reading my blog -- I hope to get frequent chances to write about the events that befall me, whether they are of interest to others or not... it's a matter of personal satisfaction, you know. Hopefully they will be of interest to you!

Safe travels!