Ponso

Day XXX: The Spire of Durin
‘So the Axe is for real?’ asked Hroskold, amazed.
‘As real as I’m sitting here!’
‘It’s all written down, as plain as can be.’
Said the Gaffer, to the dwarf’s cheers.
So, fired up again with the thought of the Axe,
The lads and I planned our attack.
I’d scout up ahead; the lads, they would follow
We’d be sure to bring the Axe back!

Day XXX: A whiff of woodsmoke
I was up before dawn and went down to the lake,
Leaving the others in bed.
On the shore, staring outwards across the dark mere,
Stood the Gaffer, a hat on his head.
‘It’s to keep my ears warm,’ he said when I asked.
‘It’s so chilly out here to be sure,’
I nodded and pulled my cloak tightly around,
As we gazed to the opposite shore.

Day XXVIII continued — A long way round
We stood and looked down at the chasm below;
Most of the dwarves were in tears.
They couldn’t believe that something had sundered
The bridge that had stood here for years
‘Let’s hope we’re not trapped here,’ Kandral said,
‘That rope bridge our weight must bear.’
He was the first to step back from the bridge,
Running a hand through his hair.

Day XXIII - At the Crossroads

Day XXIII continued
I saw a circle of anxious faces
‘You’ve taken a blow to the head.’
Said Kandral, ‘So just lay there, quite still,’
‘I don’t know how you’re not dead!’
Then I pulled off my cap to show underneath
On top of my bushy black hair,
Was a pie, in its tin, now smashed all to bits
Well, how all them dwarfies did stare!

"Walk faster you bunch of slugs or no grub for the lot of you!" The harsh voice of the scout leader rang in Krûl's ears. "We have been running for hours straight! " said one of the others next to him. It was true, Krûl had the wounds on his feet to show for it "Why do we even run?" Another scout almost shouted yet the scout leader gave no answer and just kept running, we kept following. Orders were orders and disobedience meant the whip, even for half-orcs. Camp was not far now.

Dear Mother and Father,

Now Jardic has gone, the house is so quiet. Rua is out a lot, he says he is getting ready for another trip to search for ores. I think he misses Jardic and the evenings drinking and telling stories by the fire. For myself, I sort of miss him, but not really. I mean, I don't miss the mess he made, for sure, but he is a very entertaining fellow, always singing songs and wanting to do things. I do hope he'll be alright on his adventure.