Somewhere in the Shire
After a long day in the fileds the time had come to go home, and then meet her. The way back home was quite fast and as always quiet, his fields were very close to his house after all. After exchanging a few smiles and waves with other Hobbits, Brogo finally entered his house. He closed the door behind him and leaned against it, a sigh escaped his lips and he rushed into the the room with his bathtub, throwing his clothes here and there on the way there. I'm going to see her, I'm going to see her. he was rhythmically repeating in his head while pouring warm water in the tub. Moments later he was sinking in it, letting his body relax in the water, before soaping all over. Very carefully he coombed his blonde hair and shaved the stub that was growing on his chin, he put on his good clothes, that were just farmer's freshly washed clothes and a clean, and without any rips, straw hat and got out of the house. Passing by old Romilda's house he made sure that no one nosey was looking at him and plucked four or five red roses with two or three lilies, he then, slightly regretfully, wrapped them in his clean white handkerchief and made his way South and out of Overhill. Passing by the last houses he heard his name being called and froze for a moment, then relaxed, drew a deep breath and turned arond with his wide smile, only to see Mandy approaching hurriedly, her eyes shining.
-Good evening Mr Brogo, what nice flowers you have there. she said in a cheerful voice, but he could see her eyes narrowing like a predator, settling on him after looking at the bouquet. Brogo felt his heart pound fast and panicked, he cast a glance back, towards Romilda's house, and then, keeping his smile, he replied calmly.
-Yes, I gathered them in the woods. he said and sniffed them with a sheepish smile, their smell reminded him of Prissila.
-Lucky is the one to get them then. said Mandy and took a step closer to Brogo, her breasts, covered by the blue dress almost touching the petals of the flowers, it was obvious she was struggling to breathe calmly, her right hand lifting up towards the flowers. Brogo alarmed, took an involuntary step back and then half a step to his right, skillyfully evading her hand, which lowered, only to be wrapped in her left one. Mandy smiled, eyes narrowed again, she looked even more like a predator now. Brogo took another half-step to the right, then smiled again and looked onward.
-I have to go now, I will see you soon Mandy. he said and hurried forward before she managed to say something, which she was about to do as she opened her mouth to speak.
Somewhere in Gondor
-No mother, she must not! said Leorren, slamming his fist on the wall.
-Yes she must. said an older woman, setting her emerald eyes on the young man, her voice was calm, with a hint of regret in it, yet it did show resolve, her hands came up, starting to fix the young man's collar, who did not do anything to prevent that, he only sighed, closing his greyish brown eyes. The woman's right palm came up to his left cheek and covered it gently.
-You know that we are a lesser family, that man wants to marry your sister, it will do good to your father's business and help with your military career.
-I don't want my ranks in the army in expense of my sister. Having to marry her to someone 30 years older than her. He'll be beating her too, you know that! The elder woman sighed, but did not look down, she kept her eyes on him as she spoke.
-He loves her very much, don't say such things.
The young man stormed off, his steel hills announcing his departure all over the mansion. His steps brought him to the Wharf, where he sat on the higher stairs and played a familiar to Dol Amroth tune, Melethia's ballad, a song that would bring tears to the yes of young rich girls, making them pray in the night to not have the same fate. His flute calmed some horses nearby and made the merchants down at the docks stop shouting, made the children stop fighting behind him and someeyes fixed on him, admiring his skills. When he stopped an almost silken voice spoke to him, making him close his eyes and smile, bitterly.
-My good sir, your skills drew the eyes of beautiful women around you that now want your attention. The man turned his head around only slightly, just to be able to look straight ahead, on the cliff opposite the Whard, where Melethia jumped from.
-My attention belongs only to one.
The woman walked towards him and bent her knees against his back, her white arms wrapping around him. She placed a gentle kiss on his neck, just below the ear.
-Oh Leorren. she said when she saw his expression. Is it about your sister? The man only nodded.
-But she is so young, you can't dissuade them? Leorren shook his head, sighing deeply.
-I will leave Dol Amroth. I will leave before I do something crazy.
-What about me?
Her words pierced his heart and he grimaced painfully.
Later that night he rode his horse out of the gates of Dol Amroth with tears in his eyes, he left behind two letters, one to Ariatha and one to his beloved sister and his family.
Somewhere in Thorin's Gate
The 4 carts were ready to leave, loaded with everything that would be needed to set the trading posts and to last some days before the trade would begind, the members of the company were all gathered around them.
-And so we begin! said cheefully the eldest among them, a proud Dwarf with red hair that started to become grey and a long greyish red beard, kept in two braids with two golden locks that gleamed in the morning sun. The Dwarves around him nodded and started getting ready to travel, those around them bid them good luck and to bring good news and some cheered loudly. Far and somewhat higher stood the Captain of the Guard of Thorin's Gate, watching them carefully, only to be pushed aside by another Dwarf with a long strip of hair on his head, the sides shaven and the hair on the back kept in a band, falling on his back, he was in a hurry, the captain recognised him and shouted angrily.
-Be careful Dindrik!
But the young Dwarf didn't reply, he just run and pushed through the crowd, only to hug the eldest Dwarf.
-Tordrek! You were leaving without saying goodbye! he said, making the older Dwarf smile and tighten his right arm around him in a hug.
-Well, we are almost late, you know very well that merchants open their shops very early! and got on the first wagon, taking the reins. Dindrik nodded enthusiastically.
-May Mahal watch over you and bring prosperity to the Dwarves of Thorin's Gate!
Somewhere East
A tall figure was walking in the snow, casually but carefully, the person's black chainmail sticks out in the snow, but the white strips make one wonder if it is someone moving or not, the same effect his the cloak on the back. As the person walks in the snow their iron boots of the same colour step on something and it snaps. The person kneels only to see a broken badly made arrow which they take with their right hand, eyes narrow and a left hand scrapes the snow away to reveal a Dwarven plate mail, the figure stands up to look at the small mounts in the snow.
-Dwarves... comes the whisper from the full lips and the arrowtip is tucked in the belt, black eyes scan the frozen mountains.
-My Lord must learn of this, this is too far...
Somewhere in the Shire
-I would love that, but you know that my father will never accept that. said Prissila in a sad voice, making Brogo sit up from the grass next to the river and clench his fist.
-He will when I bring you the ring!
-What ring?
-An emerald ring from a mineral found only in the Misty Mountains...
