The slopes of Mount Mindolluin were steep and rugged. The city of Minas Anor occupied the east slope of the mountain and farms and dwellings spotted its lowest slopes and clustered about in its valleys. But the higher slopes were deserted save for the occaisional goat. Even so, as dawn spread over the Pelennor and illuminated the city, some folk were out and about and some few reported in the days which followed that a great brown shape had been seen wandering the mountainside. None had tarried to see exactly what it was.
But as the sun rose towards noon, no sign of the beast could be seen though a goatherd reported finding prints in the soft earth. Prints near as large as a dinner plate with five toes and very large claws, he said. That same morning, through the commotion, ambled a very large man who ignored all who passed, save to inquire of the whereabouts of the dwelling of Piosenniel.
Baran found the house easily enough and entered the courtyard just in time to encounter Cami, who was sitting by the fountain devouring a piece of honeycake. She looked up as he approached and smiled around a sticky mouthful of the treat. Baran could not help but to respond with a smile of his own. Like all of his kind, he had a soft spot for cubs, and this was a particularly charming one.
"You're here!" she cried. "Ammė is inside with Derylin."
He resisted the urge to pat her head and, instead, crouched beside her. Even so, he towered above the girl. She giggled as his beard brushed the ground and it occurred to him that he should make use of the fountain before he entered. "Is Derylin your father?" he asked as he splashed water on his face and scrubbed his hands.
"No," she replied. "My father is the Captain of The Lonely Star, the best ship in all of Gondor. He's away, far away in...uh, Bambar."
Baran blinked at the unfamiliar name, then shrugged. "I'm sure that he's a very great man," he replied a bit uncertainly.
"Come!" she cried. "Let's see Ammė!" She grabbed his hand and led him to the door, which she swung open and entered. Baran nearly banged his nose on the lintel, but remembered to duck just in time. Piosenniel was at the table with a youngish man. Two swords rested on the table between them. Baran nodded to the two and summoned his meager knowledge of mannish etiquette.
"My lady..." he said with a slight bow.
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