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piosenniel · 12-06-2003, 01:35 PM

Driven by concern for their families, a concern fueled by the flying rumors of great hordes of ruffians sweeping down on them from the north, most of the outlying folk of Bree-land had packed up their wagons and headed for the safety of the town proper. With them came their treasured possessions, their money boxes or coin-filled socks, their livestock and foodstuffs from garden, pantry, and smokehouse. Over the past week, the Great East Road had born a motley procession of folk of all sorts upon its packed dirt track. And now the passing wagons had slowed to a trickle as the last of the Big and Little Folk crowded into Bree.

Places to stay had been found for all of them – some with town folk who had opened their homes to their distant neighbors, and some into the large Halls that served the town for meetings and for the running of the government. Bree was bursting at the seams with this influx of bodies, and all were elbow to elbow with their neighbor now, learning as best they could to be accommodating. Mayor Harald had appointed a committee of Big and Little Folk to oversee the needs of Bree’s new inhabitants. Tension and an undercurrent of fear mixed with anger ran through the packed town, giving need for cooler heads to sort out arguments and dispense information that was known to be true.

Work on the hedge and dike with its ditch that ran before it had gone well and quickly. Rumors of a large body of wild ruffians from the north flew about the town in varying forms – the size of the men and their number increasing at each telling. Newcomers to Bree flocked to the worksites to lend their hands and skill. The Hedge and its gates were repaired up to the opening left in the northern edge, which Harald and Telien planned to use as a trap to lure at least part of the bandits in before netting them and taking them prisoner. Will and his crew along with the others that now swelled their ranks, Hobbit and Men alike had finished the dike and deepened the ditch before it, planting the sharpened staves in it, now hidden by a covering of leafy branches.

The Inn and all its storage spaces had been crammed with foodstuffs and some of the many little herds of livestock the farmers had brought with them. Andreth and her students, their numbers now also increased by the influx from the farmlands, had been very busy sorting and storing the goods for future use. Berilac had recruited a number of Hobbit archers for Harald’s ambush plan, as had Telien from among the Men.

All awaited word from Minastan concerning the plans of the bandits. An attack on the town would be soon, they knew – they hoped for an advantage by knowing when and how many might be mustered against them.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 12:51 PM December 09, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

12-06-2003, 01:35 PM	#193
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,786	Driven by concern for their families, a concern fueled by the flying rumors of great hordes of ruffians sweeping down on them from the north, most of the outlying folk of Bree-land had packed up their wagons and headed for the safety of the town proper. With them came their treasured possessions, their money boxes or coin-filled socks, their livestock and foodstuffs from garden, pantry, and smokehouse. Over the past week, the Great East Road had born a motley procession of folk of all sorts upon its packed dirt track. And now the passing wagons had slowed to a trickle as the last of the Big and Little Folk crowded into Bree. Places to stay had been found for all of them – some with town folk who had opened their homes to their distant neighbors, and some into the large Halls that served the town for meetings and for the running of the government. Bree was bursting at the seams with this influx of bodies, and all were elbow to elbow with their neighbor now, learning as best they could to be accommodating. Mayor Harald had appointed a committee of Big and Little Folk to oversee the needs of Bree’s new inhabitants. Tension and an undercurrent of fear mixed with anger ran through the packed town, giving need for cooler heads to sort out arguments and dispense information that was known to be true. Work on the hedge and dike with its ditch that ran before it had gone well and quickly. Rumors of a large body of wild ruffians from the north flew about the town in varying forms – the size of the men and their number increasing at each telling. Newcomers to Bree flocked to the worksites to lend their hands and skill. The Hedge and its gates were repaired up to the opening left in the northern edge, which Harald and Telien planned to use as a trap to lure at least part of the bandits in before netting them and taking them prisoner. Will and his crew along with the others that now swelled their ranks, Hobbit and Men alike had finished the dike and deepened the ditch before it, planting the sharpened staves in it, now hidden by a covering of leafy branches. The Inn and all its storage spaces had been crammed with foodstuffs and some of the many little herds of livestock the farmers had brought with them. Andreth and her students, their numbers now also increased by the influx from the farmlands, had been very busy sorting and storing the goods for future use. Berilac had recruited a number of Hobbit archers for Harald’s ambush plan, as had Telien from among the Men. All awaited word from Minastan concerning the plans of the bandits. An attack on the town would be soon, they knew – they hoped for an advantage by knowing when and how many might be mustered against them. <font size=1 color=339966>[ 12:51 PM December 09, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.