Belegond stood at the rear of the company and surveyed the mountainside, the pass was narrow and the storm was getting worse. Snow and wind rushed past his skin and he was almost blinded. It had been a couple of minutes since the ridge had collapsed and Astarielle had suggested swinging over. It was not a very safe idea but it was the only one someone had come up with.
“So what shall we do then?” asked Belegond loudly, battling with the storm, “It does Erebor no good if we just sit here. Astarielle’s idea is the only one we have had so far. I am willing to try, is anyone else?” Nods came from the company.
Astarielle stepped forward and took the rope out of her sack. She delicately tied to a high up rock and secured it. She then pulled it to check it was tight; she pulled once more, and then swung over the gap. She landed safely on the other side. A few of the Gondoliers cheered along with the dwarves. She smiled and bowed.
“Now let us see if you can do it ranger!” she nodded at Belegond.
The wind was strong, he took up the rope. He pulled it, and then swung. He to landed on the other side safely. He then threw the rope back for the next one to cross.
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"...still, we lay under the emptiness and drifted slowly outward, and somewhere in the wilderness we found salvation scratched into the earth like a message."
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