Book 8: Act 1 - The Troubles of Men

[Blubbo_Baggins]

"I know of them," says Finn, "But have not met them." He looks at Varuthil and Glirion and wonders if they have met the famous Dwarves. He figures that Gerwald has likely not met them, though even there he could be mistaken.

[Muskrat]

Varuthil shakes her head. "I have not met them. Have the dwarves begun using this river frequently? That would be unusual." She tries to keep her voice neutral on the topic--not hard, since she uses the same dead, cold tone she always does. Relations had improved between the elves of Mirkwood and the dwarves, but there was still bad blood there as well and she was not sure where Galion stood.

[Vardaen]

"They have not been using it lately as in often. I ask because those dwarves..." you can hear the disdain in his voice for the dwarves who once escaped his watch, "...those dwarves came through here just a head of you, but we lost track of them (again)." There is no love for the dwarves in the butler's words, but you can sense something else, concern maybe?

[Muskrat]

"Do you have any clues as to why they were passing through here?" asks Varuthil. Given his seeming hostility to the dwarves, she wasn't sure she trusted his judgment, but she was still curious.

[Blubbo_Baggins]

"Well," says Finn, "Our road takes us further south, through the Long Marshes. If we see their tracks, we will follow them a mile or two, to ensure they have made their way safely. We will keep an eye out."

[Othniel]

"I am not familiar with them, though I am familiar with their involvement in the end of the dragon some years ago," Glirion answers. "As my companions have said, we can keep an eye out in case we find them in need."

[Vardaen]

Galion shakes his head, "No, I don't know what they were doing around here, nothing good I'm sure. Stirring up trouble no doubt." The elf considers all the replies from the group, "Keep and eye out yes, I suppose that is fine, they are no matter to me or you. You are going further south you say? Where to, and will you be back?"

[Wbweather]

Gerwald has head of the dwarves, but has never met them personally. He agrees to look for them, but honestly, he does not feel compelled to assist this elf who seems less concerned about the dwarves well being than the fact that they passed trough his land and it seems eluded him.

"We head to the East Bight, and will return if and when our need drives us north again."

[Vardaen]

Galion nods to Gerwald, "Good, then be on your way. Mind your manners in these lands, they are under the authority of King Thranduil of Mirkwood. Perhaps we shall see one another on your return trip." He looks at Varuthil now, "As long as you travel with them I worry not Varuthil. Yet men alone in these lands can do much damage, both to the body and to the heart of the forest."

Galion motions at his elves and they slip back into the forest darkness. He himself is last to retreat but even as you continue on your way you know they are watching you still from some unseen perch.

[Blubbo_Baggins]

"Well, they were grumpy," says Finn. Hild laughs but says nothing.

Finn continues, "I am glad he is not the steward of the Elvenking's trees, else they'd never trade with us. I can't believe what he said 'men can do much damage' . . . Men can also kill dragons, which as far as I remember, do a whole lot more damage to the body and heart of the land than men!"

"That old Nerulf was far more helpful to us than he, who merely wanted to show off that they were sneaking and watching us, then scold us like an old hen."