Tolmen straightened his ancient styled robe with a critical eye, it would be busy in the hall with many a comrade and mourner to give the hammer hound a good send off. Not that Tolmen had ever met the quendë but he felt he should pay his respects also. Picking up a woven sack as he was leaving his lodging he limped down the road cursing the newish and unworn boots he had bought at the market.
A shadow flitted before his eye and he marked someone spying on him. He pulled his meat dagger and hissed into the shadowy trees, "Come out ungwë or I come in - your choice", a familiar face and whining voice appeared from the branches above him " If you're headed to the hall you are too late most were leaving when I was", Tolmen's top lip curled at the face of Cúthoron ,"Ahh Helcarána come down so I can greet you properly", showing him the blade glittering in the dim light, Cuthoron opened his mouth to give a retort but Tolmen swiftly threw the blade and hit Cúthoron hilt first in the mouth, Cúthoron gave a yelp of surprise and disappeared into the woods.
Tolmen chuckled as he retrieved his dagger from the ground where it fell and proceeded to the hall. On entering he noted that the helcarána had spoken true, few folk remained and only one that he knew well enough to speak with ,"Ai cousin, well met, it seems I am late", Silwë turned to Tolmen, "Greetings cousin, you are..." Silwë did a double take in surprise, "What are you wearing and what is in that sack?", Tolmen lifted the sack for emphasis and said, "I heard that Daegond enjoyed his dice, this is a pastime I enjoy, I call it elf bowling, I was hoping to show the noble lords and the ladies but it seems I missed my chance", Silwë raised an eyebrow in curiosity ,"Elf bowling? You'll have to explain cousin."
Tolmen nodded and beckoned Silwë to come closer opening the sack to reveal four mutilated orc heads perfectly preserved and glistening as though freshly varnished,"The game is played like this, each player takes two heads and throws them into a gathering of simpering elves, the winner is the one that gets the most of them to puke or shit themselves hence losing their bowels - bowls - elf bowling, let's give it a try",
Dropping the sack of heads unceremoniously to the floor Tolmen hurls a head across the hall to hit the table and come skittering to a stop in front of Sogadan who gasps as his precious bottles and goblets are dashed to the floor with a crash,"Oops, now you try cousin," Silwë gestures with his missing hand and grins, Tolmen grunts an apology and says," I'll give you a hand then", picking up another ghastly head launches it high, Silwë and Tolmen watch as the head hits the balcony of the hall and lands squarely on a tray Gilfiniel was carrying who screams and promptly faints in shock. Tolmen grins, "One point to you cousin as that was your head!"
Silwe turns saying ,"Ahem not your best work cousin, that elleth will surely bring one of the captains back with her once she recovers." Tolmen sighs, "I think it works best in a crowded room.". Retrieving the evidence and giving Sogadan a gesture that can only be described as a death threat the pair sit in their accustomed chairs and make small talk until Gilfiniel awakens. Silwë approaches the confused elleth gently asking if she had been overcome by the hot fires to which she replies she must've been, collecting the tray and scattered wares proceeding to again do her 'rounds', Silwë returns to his chair grinning at Tolmen ," I have smoothed the way again for you cousin, best we leave before that elleth remembers what happened, I have a badge to make".
The pair leave the hall with both the ancient noldo returning to their own tasks.
*Ungwë - spider, gloom. a traditional insult of Tolmen.
*Helcarána - Ice walker
