The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - THE LONELY STAR (Contd. from BD birthday party)

mark12_30 · 09-13-2002, 01:11 PM

"Wait," Gamba puzzled. "You said-- what did you say? You said, Perhaps she is wrong; perhaps you hobbits are not worth saving."

Levanto, lost in reverie, waited while Gamba struggled between what he wanted to hear and what he suddenly felt he must do. His words tumbled out of him faster and faster til Levanto's head tipped to one side.

"You're the creature that came and spoke to the children. Aren't you? You must be. And so the flood is coming. Isn't it? Did Piosenniel send you to save us? How will you? And does that mean-- but no, she died. She died in Gondolin. But you'll tell me all about her, won't you? Please. You must. But I've got to tell the elders. Please, please wait here! I want you to tell me all about her. What about Nitir and Azra? You've got to tell the elders too--"

"Tell the elders what?" a very little voice asked, and Gamba jumped and turned.

The forgotten ring of Levanto-players peered out from behind various rocks and hollows with wide eyes. "Gamba, is it really him? Is it really Levanto?" asked one of the oldest boys.

Levanto swam slowly forward, and the children becan coming out of hiding. Levanto placed his hands on the rocks again, and the children approached him, the smaller ones with hushed giggles. But the older boys, and the girls, did not laugh.

"You must miss her terribly, sir, " said the oldest boy, about thirteen. "She must have been the most beautiful woman ever."

Levanto looked up at the young hobbit, not much smaller than Gamba. "I always thought so, " he quietly replied.

Surprising himself, Levanto gently submitted to the children's curiosity, and let them touch his hair and his arms and his shoulders.

"Do you really have no feet?" the littlest boy asked, and one more thump-splash of his flukes caused squeals of delight. Gamba worried that the squeals would bring the guards. He turned to the three eldest boys. "Go and find the Loremaster, and tell him that Gamba said Levanto is here. All right? Run. Tell the elders too."

"We all should go," said the eldest lass. "It's past our bedtime. Come on. Let's run!" And with that, all but the littlest child, all turned and raced up the tunnel.

Little Roka stayed, studying Levanto with his big wide eyes. "My name is Roka. And someday, " he lisped, "I want to see an elf-maiden too. In the starlight."

Levanto smiled. "Roka, someday you shall."

09-13-2002, 01:11 PM	#27
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	"Wait," Gamba puzzled. "You said-- what did you say? You said, Perhaps she is wrong; perhaps you hobbits are not worth saving." Levanto, lost in reverie, waited while Gamba struggled between what he wanted to hear and what he suddenly felt he must do. His words tumbled out of him faster and faster til Levanto's head tipped to one side. "You're the creature that came and spoke to the children. Aren't you? You must be. And so the flood is coming. Isn't it? Did Piosenniel send you to save us? How will you? And does that mean-- but no, she died. She died in Gondolin. But you'll tell me all about her, won't you? Please. You must. But I've got to tell the elders. Please, please wait here! I want you to tell me all about her. What about Nitir and Azra? You've got to tell the elders too--" "Tell the elders what?" a very little voice asked, and Gamba jumped and turned. The forgotten ring of Levanto-players peered out from behind various rocks and hollows with wide eyes. "Gamba, is it really him? Is it really Levanto?" asked one of the oldest boys. Levanto swam slowly forward, and the children becan coming out of hiding. Levanto placed his hands on the rocks again, and the children approached him, the smaller ones with hushed giggles. But the older boys, and the girls, did not laugh. "You must miss her terribly, sir, " said the oldest boy, about thirteen. "She must have been the most beautiful woman ever." Levanto looked up at the young hobbit, not much smaller than Gamba. "I always thought so, " he quietly replied. Surprising himself, Levanto gently submitted to the children's curiosity, and let them touch his hair and his arms and his shoulders. "Do you really have no feet?" the littlest boy asked, and one more thump-splash of his flukes caused squeals of delight. Gamba worried that the squeals would bring the guards. He turned to the three eldest boys. "Go and find the Loremaster, and tell him that Gamba said Levanto is here. All right? Run. Tell the elders too." "We all should go," said the eldest lass. "It's past our bedtime. Come on. Let's run!" And with that, all but the littlest child, all turned and raced up the tunnel. Little Roka stayed, studying Levanto with his big wide eyes. "My name is Roka. And someday, " he lisped, "I want to see an elf-maiden too. In the starlight." Levanto smiled. "Roka, someday you shall." __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.