Red Flows the Sirannon RPG

[Arry]

‘Riv’s gone down below to see Unna and his children,’ answered Skald. He eyed his younger brother’s distraught posture. ‘He’s fine,’ he offered as some sort of assurance. ‘No injuries. Just covered in dirt and a few scratches from the odd twiggy bush they’d had to hide behind.’ He paused for a moment. ‘Like I said . . . it was more what he saw and . . . well . . . felt that’s put the wind up him.’

Skald rose from his chair to fetch his brother a mug of tea. ‘Drink this,’ he said, pushing the steaming cup toward Bror. ‘You were wrong,’ he said, watching as Bror raised his head from the table. ‘About being the last Stonecut,’ he went on. ‘Leifr holds that position now, Bror. You’re his “old” Uncle.’ A smile softened his face as a thought came to him. ‘That is . . . until some lass makes you her heart’s-choice . . . and you’ve a son to carry on.’ He chuckled at the look on Bror’s face. ‘Now there’s something to look forward to!’ He nodded his head vigorously ‘Yes! . . . indeed!’

The mood of the room lightened a bit as Skald spun out the little daydream much to his brother’s consternation. There were details of first meetings, and dances, and stolen kisses in a stony alcove . . .

‘Marrying someone off?’ asked Viss, standing in the doorway.

‘Just pulling Bror’s leg, a bit,’ returned Skald, grinning at his father. As Viss entered and went to fetch some tea and bread with cheese, Skald turned back to Bror, his face serious. He shook his head ‘no’, mouthed ‘Riv’ quickly and pointed his thumb at their father . . . hoping that his younger brother would understand he shouldn’t say anything of what they’d spoken of to Viss.

‘There’s another group of Elves coming through the mines,’ Viss said as he carried his plate and mug to the table. ‘Should be going out some time today toward the city.’ He sat down and took a large bite of his bread. ‘Oh,’ he went on, swallowing the bite down with a swig of tea. ‘One of the patrol groups who’d gone a little further west and south than our others have brought back news to the King that there is a great army of Elves several days south of the city. Said they’ve come from somewheres out in the northwest - by some sea, I think they mentioned. Anyway a fellow name of Elrond is leading them to aid the jewelsmiths.’

‘Going to have to be a mighty big army from what I’ve heard,’ snorted Skald, ‘if they’re going to make even a small dent in Sauron’s. Elves or no . . . the sheer size of the dark army is massive.’

‘Well, apparently this Lord Elrond, from what we could figure out, is expecting a number of warriors from The Golden Wood. And this is interesting,’ Viss went on, shaking his head in wonder. ‘It’s supposed to be led by old high and mighty himself.’

‘You don’t mean Celeborn, do you?’ Skald asked, his brow furrowed. ‘Surely he’s not coming through the mines, is he? He hates us Dwarves!’

‘Stinking of Elvish fear,’ chuckled Viss, nodding his head ‘yes’ to the question. ‘And probably thinking all the way that we’ll be waiting to do him in somehow and rob him to boot!’ Laughter rang against the stones as the Dwarves made merry at the Elven ruler’s expense. ‘Anyway, they should be coming through in a few days.’ He took another bite of bread. ‘We’ve been asked to take them to the Elrond fellow, by the way . . .’