Book 2: Chapter 1 - The Hills of Dunland

[Muskrat]

Halleth nods at Telurin. "My thanks for keeping watch. You Mirkwood elves know how to do your part, not like those lay-abouts in Rivendell." He then settles into rest. Having to sleep someplace uncomfortable in the wild is nothing new to him--what is unusual is having a companion to keep watch.

[Vardaen]

Sits with Fist sits silently for a long while. "One more rising of the moon."

The company tired and still some wounded, set camp and doze off. Some set watches, Telurin and Halleth, others have something to eat then take a nap. Throughout the day you rest in shifts, and the orcs never return, not after the beating you gave them, and certainly not in the light of day.

When night falls you are on edge once more, worried the orcs or wolves will return, but they don't. The moon rises and sets, and you don't see or hear from the enemy. You are able to rest further, and many of you start to feel much better without travel or battle. The dawn comes again, and with it you hear a strange rushing of wind. Then looking out form your perch you see a flock of sparrows race past the opening. They dip and dive, hundreds of them, circling and singing in the valley below you. After a few minutes their cloud of feathers passes on.

Sits with a Fist seems to smile, and without being asked offers up a few more words. "He comes."

He must mean the chieftain, for you see down in the valley, like a speck of darkness a few squat figures approaching from the way the birds did. A half dozen of them, moving like apes, but traveling at great speeds, they race up the valley toward the bottom of the cliff of the Front Porch.

[Muskrat]

Halleth rises and says, "Well, let's make as proper a greeting to the chief as we can in these circumstances."

[Blubbo_Baggins]

"Yes," says Telurin with a smile, "This should be interesting." He looks the group over to ensure their weapons are put away. "You think he'd be impressed with a firework? I still have a small one in my pack, brought it from Rivendell. Course, I wouldn't bring it out unless he indicated he'd enjoy seeing such a thing."

[Wbweather]

"Let's see what he is like before doing anything too startling. If he's anything like his fellows here, he won't be overly impressed with flourishes and fancy lights. I get the sense that these people look deeper than the surface and seem to see your heart, if you know what I mean." Hartley turns to Sits With a Fist. "How should we address your chief? Does he have a title or name? Do your people have any customs that we should follow?"

[Boronind]

Blain listen intently to his companions, and his face lights up when Hartley speaks. He laughs aloud so hard his belly shakes. "You would make my father Balin proud! For you have the sensibilities of a true diplomat! Perhaps when our quest is completed you should consider being a liason for the hobbits of Breeland to all the Big Folk!"

[Vardaen]

Sits with Fist is silent, he listens to the company speak.

Then he replies to Hartely, "Listen to the little one, he speaks with wisdom beyond his height. Aghan-buri-mughan is not fooled by tricks, or fancy words. Like the mountain his roots are deep, his wisdom strong, and his mind unchanging from season to season. He is the Chief, the keeper of water, watcher of snow, shepherd of stone. Be straight like oak, bright like the stars when you speak to him."

He remains in his seat, and for all the time you've been here, you can count on 1 hand the number of times he's moved, you have to wonder if he's eaten or slept or used the bathroom in all these days.

Then the small dots in the valley come fully into view, Druedain they are, hunched, covered in simple leathers, with stone axes, and blow guns for their only gear. They start up the cliff stairs and with great long strides that seem unfitting for their height they scale the cliff in minutes.

There are six of them, five you guess to be guards or hunters, the other, the lead one, is the Chieftain Aghan-buri-Mughan. He is hunched and painted where his skin is exposed. His age is hard to tell, but you would guess he is not young, nor old for his people. He is hale, and healthy, strong looking, with deep crystal eyes that speak volumes of wisdom.

He stops on the edge of the Front Porch and speaks, in a language you do not know, and Sits with Fist replies in a curt way. Then the Pukel Man stands, his companion by the door also stands. They pass you, walking from their post, as two of the new comers take their place. Sits with Fist does not offer a good-bye or even a look. He simply heads down the cliff stairs, and you never see him or his partner again. The door wardens take his place, and sit there, like stone once more.

The Chieftain then gazes about at your company. In a halting version of Dunlending, mixed with words of Rohan and Westron he speaks. "Many seasons have passed, but finally outsiders have come."

[Blubbo_Baggins]

Not understanding much of what the Chief says in his pidgin Westron, Telurin stands tall and still, looking into the chief's eyes and speaking in his mind. He does not believe for a moment that the chief could read his mind, but hoped that the greeting he gave would nevertheless be communicated through his eyes.

[Muskrat]

Halleth waits for Blain to speak, since this matter is closest to the heart of the dwarves.

[Wbweather]

Hartley looks at this strange leader of a strange people. There is wisdom and strength in his piercing eyes, a primitive understanding of a reality deeper than what might be written in books. He remains silent, but bows in deference.