Lînsie
Oin and Lînsie looked up to see Narin, huffing and rather red-faced, approaching. Lînsie tried not to smile... and failed. Suddenly, a death-and-glory mission didn't seem so bad.
She saw Oin looking at her, at Narin, and back at her, and realised she had no beard anymore to hide her blush. She turned to Narin as he stared muttering at the floor, and spoke to Oin.
"Well Master Oin, you are the eldest, and the wisest. You know the way and we do not. Lead on."
Oin nodded, and turned westward. "You might have stayed in the halls."
Lînsie and Narin exchanged glances, and both gained courage from each other. "Aye, we could have, " said Narin.
"For myself, " Lînsie said, "I'm glad to have such a quarrelsome dwarf along-- that is, if he quarrels with orcs instead of with us."
"That I will," said Narin. "That I will, lass. You can be sure of it. You can count on me."
Oin led the way, and the darkness hid his smile.
'**************
Three long marches and four brief skirmishes later, they faced the Doors of Durin. They stood studying them from a hiding place.
"There must be guards, " Oin said. "Where are the guards?"
Narin shrugged. "Perhaps they do not guard this side."
"Something must watch here, " said Oin. "I wonder if the tales are true."
"What tales?"
"Of a terror which guards the sunken stream, " he replied. "Nonetheless, it seems quiet here. And after all this dark, I want a bit of fresh air, and starlight, if I can get it." He stalked to the Doors of Durin, and gently thrust them open. The swung noiselessly outward. To their surprise, it was dawn outside, and although no sun came in-- it was still east of the mountains, shining into Balin's chamber-- still, the brightness of the dalylight dazzled their eyes, and the fresh air was enchanting.
Linsie and Narin wanted more of it. They stalked towards the door, watching each other's backs, axes raised. Nothing moved. Cautiously, they stood in the doorway, breathing the west wind.
Narin started. "Ware! Ware-- orcs!"
Behind them in the blackness, the shadows came to life.
Last edited by mark12_30; 04-26-2004 at 11:14 AM.
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