[Dwarin Thunderhammer]

Kalohern sat with Dernwine around a campfire. They were talking and enjoying a meal as only a father and son could. They talked for hours and hours as the fire grew only to embers. Kalohern told his father about all that had transpired. About his great deeds and his courage. Dernwine's eyes burned with the pride that was unique to a father. Kalohern's heart swelled at the approval of his father. He was so glad to be back. Kalohern threw another log on the fire. Dernwine embraced his son and Kalohern heard the words he longed to hear for so long. "I love you son." Dernwines embrace started shaking the boy. Everything faded to black.

Kalohern awoke to Baranthol gently shaking him awake. It was only a dream. Sadness flooded over the boy. "I love you son" still rang in his ears. Baranthol informed the boy that it was his turn to watch. Kalohern sat up in the soft grass. The grass left a sweet soft scent as he rose. He longed for that dream again. He wanted his father badly. His heart ached for home, if only his father was there! Kalohern felt a soft nudge on the back of his neck. He turned and looked deep into the eyes of Telefax. The horse gave Kalohern comfort beyond words. The boy flung his neck around Telefax and wept softly into his mane. Minutes later the boy raised his head and wiped his eyes. It was his duty to watch. He would make his father proud! He would become the greatest Rider Rohan had ever known! His father would look and point at the young man at the head of the procession and declare "That is my boy! My son! A mighty man among men he is!" Kalohern would smile and wave to his father whose eyes would beam with pride. Kalohern would lead men into battle and score victories beyond belief. He would kneel at the foot of king Theoden and receive great honor. The King would say. "This is the great Kalohern, son of Dernwine!, a mighty man in Rohan!" All the time his father looking on with joy known to any other.

The vision faded and Kaloherns thoughts turned to the present. He was now charged with a task. He was to stand watch over his sleeping comrades. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step" He said softly to himself. There was dew on the grass. Dawin was coming. He looked down at the face of Arenia sleeping just a few feet away. Her face was beautiful to the boy. He wondered what her story was. He wished she had not been swept up in this affair like he had. "This is no place for her." He thought. She should be at home, carefree, not out here beset by evil. Kalohern sighed. How would this adventure end? What was at the end of the long and bitter road they traveled. Whatever the case Kalohern knew would meet it with courage.

The light was growing, the dew was sweet upon the grass. Kalohern realized that dawn was coming. Birds began chirping in the oak above him. He looked up and saw light streaming over the top of the trees. Everything was glowing in the light of a new day. The light merrily spilled over the tops of the trees like a waterfall. Everthing was flooded with the pale light of morning. Kalohern realized that despite all the troubles besetting him that a new day had dawned. The sun still rose in the morning. All was new again. This gave Kalohern comfort and hope. The light seemed to tell the boy that all would be well again one day.

[ September 13, 2002: Message edited by: Dwarin Thunderhammer ]