Sailing Away RPG - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

piosenniel · 07-01-2003, 09:00 PM

They trudged on for many hours, or so Ben thought by the way his feet and legs felt. Truth be known he really couldn’t tell how far they’d come. The trees hung in so close that there was no view in the distance to judge how close they were getting, and behind, the trees seemed to close in over the path as soon as the last of the Hobbits walked over a section.

Erendal seemed tireless, and Ben, not to be outdone by any of the Big Folk trudged on after him. ‘Say, Mister!’ he called out to the Ranger, from his place at the back of the line. ‘Begging your pardon, and I do understand how a person would just want to keep in walking to get out from under these gloomy trees, but have you given any thought to when we might stop?’

The Ranger halted the line, and stood hands on hips looking back at Ben.

‘Well nothing for it but to plunge on ahead! thought Ben to himself. ‘Meaning no disrespect, sir, but we haven’t had a bite to eat since some cold breakfast that seems days if not weeks ago in the past.’

It had only been since the early morning of this very same day, of course, but to a growing Hobbit, missing a meal or three or four in a day, is a grave issue and worthy of discussion. In the dim light of the forest, the Ranger’s face was all but hidden, and Ben stood there imagining a look of disapproval on his face.

It took him by surprise then, when Erendal started to chuckle. And he could see the Ranger shake his head back and forth as the laughter built. ‘Sorry,’ he said to the astounded Hobbits, ‘but I had quite forgotten that a Hobbit’s day revolves around the rumblings of his tummy . . . and to be sure, your stomach’s must be rumbling quite loudly by now.’ He motioned them closer with a wave of his hand. ‘Just a little further, I promise. And then we come to a little clearing with a stream flowing through. We’ll stop there for the night and then push on in the morning.’ He turned and started down the path again.

‘Mind you,’ he said, turning his back toward them, ‘once we get there, stay away from the large old willow that grows by the edge of the water . . .’

Ben nudged Mirabella in the side. ‘I’m so hungry right now I could probably eat that blasted willow . . . yeah, and follow up with a side dish of beech and oak to boot!’

‘OW!’ he cried, as a thin willow wand slashed through the air and slapped him on the cheek. He turned back to look at the offending tree and took a step backward, a glare on his face . . . only to trip over a great oak root and land square on his rear. The leaves of a nearby beach rattled menacingly at him . . .

07-01-2003, 09:00 PM	#29
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	They trudged on for many hours, or so Ben thought by the way his feet and legs felt. Truth be known he really couldn’t tell how far they’d come. The trees hung in so close that there was no view in the distance to judge how close they were getting, and behind, the trees seemed to close in over the path as soon as the last of the Hobbits walked over a section. Erendal seemed tireless, and Ben, not to be outdone by any of the Big Folk trudged on after him. ‘Say, Mister!’ he called out to the Ranger, from his place at the back of the line. ‘Begging your pardon, and I do understand how a person would just want to keep in walking to get out from under these gloomy trees, but have you given any thought to when we might stop?’ The Ranger halted the line, and stood hands on hips looking back at Ben. ‘Well nothing for it but to plunge on ahead! thought Ben to himself. ‘Meaning no disrespect, sir, but we haven’t had a bite to eat since some cold breakfast that seems days if not weeks ago in the past.’ It had only been since the early morning of this very same day, of course, but to a growing Hobbit, missing a meal or three or four in a day, is a grave issue and worthy of discussion. In the dim light of the forest, the Ranger’s face was all but hidden, and Ben stood there imagining a look of disapproval on his face. It took him by surprise then, when Erendal started to chuckle. And he could see the Ranger shake his head back and forth as the laughter built. ‘Sorry,’ he said to the astounded Hobbits, ‘but I had quite forgotten that a Hobbit’s day revolves around the rumblings of his tummy . . . and to be sure, your stomach’s must be rumbling quite loudly by now.’ He motioned them closer with a wave of his hand. ‘Just a little further, I promise. And then we come to a little clearing with a stream flowing through. We’ll stop there for the night and then push on in the morning.’ He turned and started down the path again. ‘Mind you,’ he said, turning his back toward them, ‘once we get there, stay away from the large old willow that grows by the edge of the water . . .’ Ben nudged Mirabella in the side. ‘I’m so hungry right now I could probably eat that blasted willow . . . yeah, and follow up with a side dish of beech and oak to boot!’ ‘OW!’ he cried, as a thin willow wand slashed through the air and slapped him on the cheek. He turned back to look at the offending tree and took a step backward, a glare on his face . . . only to trip over a great oak root and land square on his rear. The leaves of a nearby beach rattled menacingly at him . . . __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.