“Well there’s three versions of the story – mine and yours and then the truth”
Stationed at the Last Bridge within Talauth Gaun, on the border of the Lone-lands, by the river Mitheithel (more commonly known as the Hoarwell), Edbert Rook spent his younger years serving as a guard. His role was to inspect and question anyone who wished to enter the realm of Men from the east and anyone who was foolish enough to venture in the opposite direction - into the treacherous wooden lands of the Trollshaws.
Now, the latter task, Edbert Rook put no more effort into than to simply inform the travellers of their infinite stupidity and their lack of appreciation of their own lives. But those who came from the east got a thorough inquiring of name, family, destination and purpose of their travel.
Edbert Rook was a proud man and would not take bribes from anyone (unless it was an extensive sum of money or something he took a real liking to). He took pride in his job, at least when he was of duty and used his position to brag in the company of ale, lower men and women. Although the truth of it was that the work was lonely and mostly tedious. Sometimes days passed without as much as a fox crossing the bridge.
And so it happened one evening, just before dawn, that a fancy looking carriage drawn by two large horses crossed the bridge from the Lone-lands. Edbert Rook slowly removed the pipe from the corner of his mouth and stared at the carriage as it slowed down in front of him. Now this carriage was something out of the ordinary, lavishly decorated and built with the finest materials, it appeared to belong to someone rich and mighty.
The coachman, hidden under a dark hood, showed no signs of willingness to speak and so Edbert Rook approached the company seated in the carriage. There were four of them, all hiding under hooded cloaks, but as he came close one of them leaned forward and he could see a lock of blonde hair and two beautiful blue eyes looking at him. And then her lips… Never had he seen such a pleasant smile and her voice as she spoke was gentle as a morning breeze.
- Good evening, guardsman. May we have your permission to continue our journey? We have travelled quite far, you see…
Suddenly her voice seemed to drown in the sounds of the water floating below, as his attention was drawn to something around the woman’s neck. Attached to a golden chain she wore a purple gem of finest craft. It glimmered so brightly even in the damp evening light. He stared at it in awe.
- Have you lost your mind, man?
Now that was not the woman’s gentle voice anymore. It was a deep male voice, which snapped Edbert out of his mindset.
- You’re a mad lot! Sun’s almost down and the forest will be full o’ trolls!
Edbert waved his pipe in the direction of the forest as he spoke, but the company took no notice of his warning, and the carriage came in motion once more. It was not the first time someone had disregarded his warnings, but very few had dared to enter the forest after dark. And dark it would be - very soon.
Edbert turned his head to see the sun disappear beyond the barren hills. It was then that he heard it. Ground shaking, trees snapping and the whishing sound of a giant boulder flying through the air. It was a troll and it went straight for the carriage!
---
It was many years later that Edbert Rook found himself walking into the Prancing Pony of the little town called Bree. He enjoyed an ale and then another, until the empty tankards formed a long line in front of him on the table. Mind you, they were not all his. On the opposite side of the table sat a young man, intrigued by the older man’s tales and the free ales he continued to bestow upon him.
- Oooh, it’s not a lie, lad! I sent that ugly old troll running. It’s the truth! Look at this face! (As which Edbert pointed energetically at his wrinkled face.)Would I lie to ye?
The young man decided it would be for the best to let the old man think that he believed him and so he nodded, then shook his head, not sure which would confirm that he was convinced that the story was true. At least the old man seemed content because he leaned closer over the table and fixed his brown-grey eyes on the young man’s face.
- The lady was so thankful I had saved her life, you see, so she gave me a little something to show her appreciation.
Edbert’s eyes glittered with delight as he reached into his chest pocket to take something out. The young man stared at Edbert’s closed hand while he tried to picture what in all of middle earth it could be that the man was keeping. They both leaned closer to each other because whatever it was it would be kept a secret between them. He watched the man slowly open his hand to reveal the most beautiful gem he had ever seen. He saw the candle light dance on the purple surface and then the reflection of his own face.
- Isn’t she a beauty!
Edbert grinned, showing all of his yellow teeth as he put the gem back into his left pocket. Edbert winked at the young man, leaned back in his seat and took a long drink from his ale. The young man did the same, but his eyes where fixed on the old man’s pocket and his mind was already busy trying to come up with a plan of how to get his hands on that exquisite thing.
