A rather large mace was the last thing he took up, Hilfar was packed and ready. A laden pony full of wares was waiting at the stables of Thorins hall. Hilfar decided to wear some chainmail for this journey and brought a metal shield, slightly bigger than a buckler, and a rather heavy bronze mace. He met his father before the gate armed with a crossbow and a sword. One last smoke as the sun slowly rises above the mountain peaks.
Just before dawn they marched to the stables. Ullfar settled his bones on quite a sturdy pony, while Hilfar grabbed the reigns of the goods-laden pony and pulled it forth. Hilfar rather walked, riding tires him more than a long march. They put their minds to march to Needlehole without a lot of stops. By the time they reached Noglond the sun had risen above the mountains and blinded their sight. It was a sunny and quiet day, a perfect day for a march.
Endless talk about everything and nothing, as they passed the most familiar road, not too far from Gondamon they stopped to take a breather near a large stone pillar. Hilfar was chewing on some dried meat near the edge of the pine forest, on the side of the main road. Not the smartest move in his life. It wasn’t long when growls and snarls were heard from the pine forest.
~ (( /roll battle)) Two wolves noticed the dwarfs, they put their ears in their neck and show their teeth, growling they come forth with their heads low. Ullfar took his crossbow and put a bolt onto it while Hilfar put his shield before him and the mace in the other hand. Ullfar aimed and shoots, but the bolt went over the hungry wolf. In reaction the wolf ran in for the attack and jumped at Ullfar with a mighty leap. They both roll over the floor, but the wolf flew over, landing on its feet. Ullfar left the crossbow on the ground and drew his sword, right in time as the wolf attacked again. Ullfar plunged his sword in the wolf head, causing the beast to fall. Meanwhile the other wolf attacked Hilfar growling the beast tried to bite him. A heavy swing against the wolfs head with the bronze maze smacked the wolf recoiling. The beast yelped and was clearly dazed from the heavy blow. The deed was finished when the heavy maze smacked down on the wolfs head with a heavy thud.
Both dwarfs sighed as they cleaned their weapons in the snow. They had to gather the pony’s that ran of half a mile away. They continued their road. Through Falathlorn, passing Duillond they managed to reach Needlehole before dusk. Hilfars feet were sore and they deserved a long break. Dwarfs had market stalls in Needlehole, and they bought themselves a nice meal. Chunks of cheese, bread, ale. They sat on a bench munching their dinner. A bounder walked up to them, a sharp tongued fellow who was looking for someone. He introduced himself as bounder Wolbodo. Surely an honorable lad. He warned us of trolls and Dourhands in the bog, quite unheard of, but who am I to judge.
We decided to rush through the bog before darkness would set in. The air was thick here and the sound of frogs could be heard everywhere. Following a narrow path over boardwalks and muddy roads. The tails of the pony’s were chasing away flies constantly. Near the end of the bog, we found ourselves in trouble again. A swarm of biting insects swarmed around us like a tidal wave. Biting our faces, buzzing in our ears we waved our arms fanatically. It was of no use, Hilfar managed to reach for the potion bag and got a yellowish elixir out of the saddlebag. He smashed it on the ground and a strong scent of lime filled the air, vaporizing from the broken phial. The biting inspects flew away as fast as they arrived, never underestimate a potion master! Scratching and itching they left the bog and marched on over hills and dells. The lanterns were lit, and night had set in. Sore feet and weary eyes they reached the tavern of Hobbitton: the ivy bush inn. By Durins beard! We deserved a pint! No make that two! No three!
Part 2 can be found here.
