[Mattius]

"Seventeen I killed on that day my lad! Seventeen!" Borin stood up and started swaying an imaginary axe at invisible orcs. Mattius chuckled as he looked at the dwarf. Borin rarely had company to entertain and even rarer were company who wanted to hear stories of his old battles. Well, in fact, he had only taken part in one battle, the Dwarf-Orc war of Moria. With his memory somewhat strained from the actual event he boasted to Mattius of his great bravery and fighting skills. Still laughing Mattius turned to Calentoliel but she was looking towrds Radagast and his female companion who now stood up and walked closer to the fire. Calentoliel followed her movement but her face showed no sign that laughter would come from it. Rothallë had no idea what Radagast was talking about, 'go and listen to them? Silly old fool!' But she listened to them anyway, intent that she would learn nothing. Endereth sat down next to Mattius, Borin and the hobbit and said,
"Do not miss-understand master Borin's tale Mattius, that war was not a glorious one." Almost at once Borin's face became grim and sad.
"Aye, she is right my lad," the dwarf started, "a sad day indeed. So many of our kindred were killed that we had to burn their bodies. Such a pyre has never been seen on Middle-Earth and I hope never will again." There was a long silence before Endereth spoke.
"And the smoke was seen in Lothlorien and that is not forgotten." After another lengthly silence Borin could be heared weeping softly. Calentoliel turned and her face showed total surprise that a mere dwarf could have emotion such as great sadness. Mattius stood and placed his hand on Borin's shoulder and patted it. Borin wiped his tears away,
"I am sorry about that," his voice changed back more dwarf sounding, "now it is getting late and I guess you all must be tired, there is plenty of bedding around if you would like to get your heads down." Borin hurried off down his cave and shouted back up the tunnel. "And then in the morning you can perhaps tell me while your all here and even your names!" He returned with enough bedding for all but Radagast refused politely,
"No thank you Borin, I will not sleep tonight but keep a careful eye over you all."

As the embers burned slowly away the group fell to sleep one by one. Borin snored softly closest to the dying fire with the hobbit next to him. Mattius laid on his back with his hands on his chest and slept peacefully. Calentoliel huddled close to Endereth and shivered as she drifted into sleep but Rothallë stood in the corner of the cave viewing them all one by one but stopping for a long while to look at Calentoliel. Radagast was also awake but sat in the dark shadows of the cave, looking over them all.

[ September 11, 2002: Message edited by: Mattius ]