We arrived at Hrimbarg, northernmost settlement of the Mountains, near the Northern High Pass. There were a few Naugrim there, very surprised at seeing such a large group of Elves, some rather bedraggled and not looking much like soldiers, as one said to me. I promised a large share of supplies to them, which I trusted would be transported to Hrimbarg once weather permits. There was snow on the air, and the clouds were lower in the high mountains than I had ever seen before. We were afforded entry into the keep itself, and shown into a smoky little hall with a low ceiling, no windows, and the sparsest of furniture: two hard beds, two low chairs, and one small worm-eaten table. Most of the space was taken up by a heap of ale casks that rested beside the wall, the sight of which cheered Limiriel , she being a lover of the Naugrim and their drink.
All the Company were ill-pleased with our lodgings, as there were not enough beds for all, and sleepers on the floor could not stretch their legs out. Yet most of us bore it patiently, I think. I, for one, thought we were fortunate to be out of the cold, even if the fire was puny, and we could see our breath in clouds; but Yrill did not, and coming up to me asked if she could leave and do some scouting. But I heard Tindir’s order, that none should leave the keep, because there was another storm on its way, and it looked to be a fierce one. I said it was not my place to give an order counter to his, and so she went away again. Then a few of us bustled around, setting up makeshift pallets, and Daegond made some more of that soup of his, full of great globs of glistening fat. We did not turn up our noses at this coarse fare, having marched all day from icy Vindurhal, and we were famished. The Naugrim brought us furs, which we piled up on the floor, and I dare say we were pretty snug.
The girl Daelinn was silent for a little while, then looking earnestly at Brasseniel said she wished for a tale, something to cheer her spirits, and that her cousin Tinurendis tells the funniest story about a recruit of the Greenwood burning the King’s curtains.
I snapped that I had heard that tale too many times already, a bit sharper than I meant. Then she snorted out words of indignation and contempt, and gave me such a look of impertinence, that I said that I would tell the tale of the young elf of the Greenwood who could not mind her manners. I very quickly thought of a suitable ending for such a naughty child, which was being devoured by wolves, but then Daelinn hissed at me like a forest adder, and said I had been away from the Wood far too long, and I kept the company of Kinslayers! Norliriel turned white as paper at her words, then the fool girl rushed off in a mighty passion, only a little ways, because there was nowhere to run and the heavy iron door was shut fast.
Very improper it was to speak to her elder in such a way, I told Brasseniel.
Well I wish Daelinn had rather said, I did not mean to affront you, and I am very sorry to think anything I say should give you such distress, and I hope I have not done anything to fret you; I should be glad to restore you to that good humour and sprightliness that you are reknowned for in the Valley.
Then I would have said, Be not unhappy, girl, that I interest myself in your welfare, in fact, you should be right glad for it, and be not uneasy amongst strange folk.
But she did not do that, because she did not know me. So instead I called her a brat; and wondered aloud to Brasseniel what her grandfather Barangolf had been teaching her.
Brasseniel sighed, and told me Daelinn was afraid, and sore distressed at being in a place with folk who are of different temper. Somehow, hearing this calmed my temper a little. One can not always be in the same temper, after all, especially when the Hammers are testing the quality of dwarf-steel weapons by smashing them into the nearby granite wall. And Danel said that what others like Daelinn thought of me was of little account, because they did not know me, and that I was much changed since the time she first met me, for the better. Then Norliriel coming up said Daelinn regretted her words and felt quite lost here among us.
What Elf-lord can resist the influence and soft persuasions of three beautiful ladies?
It is no wonder Daelinn found herself alarmed, when she learned of the folk she was traveling with. Well, she should not be afraid of us, or our design. And then I thought, shall I abase myself, and make myself wretched to please a silly girl? No, that would be not be fit. I would not do that.
A short time later, Brasseniel employed her influence upon her; and, with very little entreaty, she persuaded her to return to the company. We were story-telling by now, and as I was telling the tale of Durin’s Folk in the Ered Luin, and how the she-dwarves dressed in purple, with purple veils shot through with gold thread, Daelinn piped up to talk about a fish she once tried to pet, after wantonly knocking valuable goods off her grandfather's raft. It seems this girl has been most indulged and spoiled by Barangolf, so it is no wonder she is plump full of sass.
Then the Hammers, believing the roof was leaking, ran to tell their commander. Daegond woke up with a snort, and after a good deal of trouble, Raólor and Themodir were able to convince him to get up. I marked how Raólor sneaked into Daegond's bed, and stretched his limbs out in blissful enjoyment, until Daegond, not seeing any water on the floor, barked and smashed his fist into the wall beside Themodir’s head. It was very admirable how he did not flinch.
I began to grow weary of story-telling and conversation, and my heart full, I taking up my cloak sought a place to rest, if rest I could in such a place.
