A couple days of climbing up the mountain.  Well that didn't see to bad.  But what lay up there on the mountain was another thing.  Even  Ellyah didn't know what lay up there, and the locals were not the type to go asking questions  They had left them alone so far but that did not mean that it would last.  They had entered the sacred city and now were leaving it.	For all Thorgon knew, the mountain might be even more sacred to them.  They had just left the city and begun their journey towards the mountain when the drums began to be heard.  First it was close then further away as if they were talking to each other.  "Can you understand what is being said?"  Thorgan asked Ellyah.<br/><br/>"Unfortunately no, but I would say it does not bode well.   Probably letting those further inland know that we are coming."  he replied.<br/><br/>Thorgan drew his sword and prepared himself for a battle should it come to that.  From what he had learned from Ellyah, the local people lived in villages scattered all over the island.  They were not primitive, but prefered to live simply in modest houses in villages.  Perhaps something they had learned from their ancestors that may have had contact with the ancient race, or the voices they had heard.  They were still a formable  force that they might have to contend with.  The proceeded on what looked to be the remains of a rode made of large blocks of stone neatly fit together but overgrown with vegetation.   The going was easy but the heat was still unbearable at times.  As if in answer to his thoughts, there came a breeze that cooled them.  It continued  as they made their way down the road to the mountain.  Lothran had his bow at the ready, and arrow nochked, Merry and Pippen were looking about the strange forest on either side of them  They continued all the rest of the day and made it to the base of the mountain.  Here there was a large clearing about the base as if the forest was not allowed to proceed up it.  Before them stood a host of the local people, armed and armored like any other military force would be   There was a combination of humans and elf before them, blocking their way to the mountain.<br/><br/>Their small group was vastly outnumbered.  In front of the assembled warriors stood an Elf dressed in robes and leaning on a wooden staff.  "Begone.  Leave our island.  We do not want you here."  The Elf called out.<br/><br/>Timberlane moved forward and stood next to Thorgan.  "We come in peace and only want to retrieve what was brought here long ago."<br/><br/>"It matters not what you want.  The mountain is scared and you shall not pass."  the elf replied.  "Try and you will not live to see another sunrise."<br/><br/>Merry and Pippen moved forward then and Merry bowed to the Elf, which brought a smile to his lips.  "Good Sir we have traveled long and far to get here.  We mean no disrespect to you or your scared place.  Will you not allow us to proceed and retrieve what we have come for?  Perhaps you can go along with us to ensure that we do not trespass on something we should not.  Would that not be a better solution then fighting and killing."<br/><br/>The Elf chuckled as he looked upon Merry.  He smiled and said, "We can not little one.  We protect the mountain at all costs.  The ancient ones set this task to us long ago and we will obey them."<br/><br/>"What of the Dwarf that came long ago?"  Pippen asked.  "His armor sits outside the entrance above.  It seems you allowed him to go up the mountain."<br/><br/>"Yes he climbed the mountain, but not with our consent.  He never returned so must have fell to the guardians of the chambers within."  the Elf told the hobbits.<br/><br/>Suddenly there was a crackling of lightning between the two groups.  There was no storm clouds or anything to cause such a thing.  Slowly a form began to take shape within the streaks of lightning..  The Elf took a couple steps back, his eyes going wide.  Ellyah and his men also stepped back, not knowing what was happening.  The form in the lightning took more shape becoming the symbolance of one of the Ancient Ones.  She stood tall and was dressed in blue robes with long black hair and dark eyes.  She was beautiful and graceful looking.  She looked down at Merry and Pippen and smiled.  "Yes they are quite a pair are they not?"  she turned to the Elf with the staff.  The entire assembled warriors of the island went to their knees and lowered themselves to the ground.  The Woman sighed and said, "Rise.  You know we do not like that."  she said with a musical voice.  Then she said, "They have come seeking something that will be used for good.  Their hearts are pure and noble in their cause.  We have decided they may come and go as they please here .  And these two,...." she turned to the Hobbits.  "If only more were like them there would surely be peace in the world.  Now go to your homes with the thanks of my people for your service and honoring your pledge."  The warriors rose to their feet and slowly began melting back into the forest.  Only the Elf remained.  The woman turned to Thorgan and the others.  "You now may journey up the mountain to retrieve what you seek."  she smiled and then with the crackling of lightning about her she was gone.