Sailing Away RPG

[elven maiden Earwen]

When they arrived back at camp they passed out the food. The hobbits ate the strawberries happily but they were all a little nervous about the berries. “Do you feel alright Mirabella?” Penny asked. “Never Better” she replied. Penny was happy at this. Maybe these are safe, she thought as she popped one into her mouth. It was very tart, but they weren’t that bad. Penny glanced over at Old Bill. I don’t trust him she thought. He was scowling and didn’t look very happy. Penny was scared of him to be exact. He wasn’t much taller then her, only ‘bout a foot or two but he was older, and stronger.

Penny smelled cooked fish. “Hey Ferd let me have some” she said after almost everyone had gotten some. “Here ya go, Penny,” he said handing her the fish. It smelled great. As Penny started to eat she watched Ben walk over to Old Bill. What’s he doing? Penny got up to see what they were talking about.

Ben was telling a story. Penny sat down and started to listen. “A place where riches lay. That’s amazing!” Penny gasped. “What’s so scary about that?” Old Bill asked. Scary? Was this meant to be scary? ‘Old Maggot said this fellow who told him about it said the place was guarded by some fearsome beings – wights, he called them. Said they could sing a song that would chill your flesh and freeze your spirit, make it so cold you couldn’t move, then they’d keep you there forever, until you died and became a wight yourself.’ Penny shivered, and hugged her knees. I don’t think Ben knows I’m listening to him she though.

“Where did you say that was lad?” Old Bill asked. On the eastern boundary of the Old Forest is what he said, the place where the Withywindle begins. The Barrow Downs, that’s what he called it.’ Ben said. Then he asked Old Bill if it was true. “Old Bill is it?!” Penny asked getting very frightened. The Barrow-Downs. She remembered hearing stories of long ago about fearsome creatures and places to the east but never of the Barrow-Downs or wights. Not waiting for Old Bill’s reply she asked Ben “Who told Farmer Maggot that story?” She was getting very anxious I hope it’s not true.

[ June 17, 2003: Message edited by: elven maiden Earwen ]