[Burzdol]

Burzdol laughed silently with the beautiful elf beside him. He was very intriged with the she-elf. Her beauty wasn't ll that stunned him, also her attitude on life. The elf liked her outlook and welcomed it gladly. There was something he really liked about her, but couldn't figure it out. No, I can't again. I can't hurt another girl like this. I can't let a girl in my heart. All it brings is grief, like with Elorwen. Even though I like Ani Dao, I don't want to hurt anyone again.

Then he looked around at the rest of the party. He noticed many wathched either Kaldon or Hogar, just as he. He was glad that he wasn't alone in his thoughts that the two were up to something. Maybe I'm just over reacting. I mean dwarves are very tempermental. Yes, that's it, I'm just over reacting. Or am I?

During his thoughts his horae strode to close to the wagon and bumped into it. The small hit woke him from his daze. Again he turned to the dwarf. He needn't worry about Kaldon, Bali was watching him.

"Burzdol heard someone humming in the wagon. He remembered the song and hummed along. He liked the song, and was taught to him by his mother. A few others who knew it chimed along. Soon the crickets were humming the tune.

The elf was feeling something amiss in the place. At first he didn't know what it was, but soon found out. Things were lingering at the side of the rode. They were small and glinting metal could be seen near them. When they reached a point in the woods they cried out and ran.

Throughout the night they still rode. Finally the crimson sun rose over anything in its path. The party watched in awe at the beautiful sun rise, entranced by the rays of light and hope desending from the heavens.

"It looks like the White City. The gold and red fill the sky just as there. It's like being back in Gondor, faithful land of awe," Eruantalon said, not taking his eyes of the magic of the sun.

"Or the fair land of Mirkwood. The rays shone through the trees. I'll remember this forever," Burzdol found himself saying aloud. No one talked for the rest of the sun rise. Everyone rode in silence and stared at the beauty of nature.

When the rise was finished small bits of chatter arose in the party. The same person who hummed earlier started again. They all joined in again and rode in tranquility.

The elf rode up beside his dwarf friend. "I know that we've both been through a lot, but this is one of those things we won't forget. Things like this always happen before battle, though the feeling is entrancing."

"Yes my good friend. We finally leave. But, if something like this happens war is on the brink. Very near. Yes, very near. You know something, Burzdol, I really thank you for coming along. I don't think I could have done this without you and Eruantalon. A good friend you are, and may good fortune be with you."

"Bali. I should thank you for letting me come. You are truly the the good friend. Your heart is as big as your appetite."

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Hogar eased up from the side of the wagon. For now he was beginning to enjoy the peaceful ride. He was well cushioned and and fell asleep easily. Though when he awoke he listened to what he called an infernal racket. He also noticed that many of the party watched him. He didn't care much about them, he cared about Kaldon. His gaze could pierce the Black Gate of Mordor itself. The man focused all that power upon the dwarf.

He had drawn his hatchet in case he got a chance to kill Bali. Though later he kept it out for Kaldon. He was afraid of the man. Not because of his size, because of his influence. The man was friends of people in high places here and there. He was known by usually someone where ever he went or what ever he did.

Anyway the mans power alone could crush a small orc army. His superior fighting skills threatedned anyone he was with and his mind was of a genios. He was like a roaming general. For the man was smart, a superior fighter, and a great strategist. In all his fights he was unmatched. Then the elf and main dwarf proposed a threat. Both were also superior fighters and were also unparalleled by others. he more he thought about it the more he hoped Kaldon and the elf got in the fight. They would both die, and he would get the glory of having killed the dwarf. Yes, if that happens it would be good. If not I don't care much. I'm not even supposed to be here anyway. But that still would be nice.

The dwarf could no longer take the humming. He joined in with the thought of glory in his mind. He now enjoyed this song as much as the wagon ride. He finally got mad at making the deal with the hobbit. In different ways this was actually better. He remembered himself as a young dwarf. His mother had a small cart she pushed for mining in the mountains. This wagon reminded him of the small gem cart being pushed in empty and came out filled with rare treasures.

The dwarf was shooken from his childhood memories by the gaze of Kaldon. The dwarf thought of throwing the axe in his hand to kill the man, but instead put it back in his belt. He made some small conversations with the surrounding dwarves and got to know them. He was just doing it to get the heat off him. Now not as many of the party watched him. He felt a little more confident with this thought and also thought that Kaldon's gaze was lifted a little.

Hogar talked more to the dwarves about war techniques and finally setteled down to sleep. His dreams filled with a large set of eyes, never blinking. They burnt like the Eye of Sauron. During his slumber others noticed his sturring and rolling.
Not again. I cannot let a girl into my heart again. All that brings is grief. I don't want to lose her like Elorwen. This elf is something else to me. I don't want to hurt her.

[ February 24, 2003: Message edited by: Burzdol ]