Gasping as the salt spray rushed up from the prow of the craft to greet him, Lornadir cried for the joy of it. He was in his eighteenth summer, oar-strong and keen for the hunt. In his hand he held a great spear aloft, looped with over half a furlong of rope that tied off to a great loggerhead at the boat’s bow. About him in the shifting waters were five similar boats, moving at a steady pace as they shouted encouragement and insults alike between themselves.

With a hand raised to shield her eyes from the unexpectedly bright sun of the early winter’s morning, Hertha watched as her cousin, Thilwend, approached the doors to the Armoury and, with a court nod and a ‘Fair day to you,’ passed on her way to her office. But another, much smaller figure wasn’t far behind the sergeant. Her lightness of step and cheerful expression caused the Smith to smile a little.

The small bedroom was dark, save for a square shaft of sunlight that was falling from on high through the single window. Her stockinged feet were warmed in the golden patch, but the rest of her remained dimly shadowed. 

She had polished the looking-glass that was propped on the long, low dresser. It was leaned against the wall to allow her a view of her face. Within the slightly wobbly reflection, there stood a woman she scarcely recognized. 

Instant Happiness: Finding ‘hobbitiness’ every day of the year

“ I have found that it is the small everyday deed of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love." 

Byl walked the corridors and byways of Thorin's halls putting up posters
In beautiful copperplate script the poster read

Lost near Frerin's court 

Healer Broiner first flayed open a vein on Kandral's arm and collected the blood in a special cup cleaned and sterilized especially for the procedure. Then he carefully mixed in the three ingredients stirring continually so the mixture melded into a smooth liquid.

Bad luck truly really does come in threes. Or fours. Or fives. Or tens even. It comes a lot, to be honest. It seems like every time we manage to catch a breath and stand upright we get blown down to the ground again by something else. It's almost discouraging. I'm finding that I can bear it if I have my friends about me. I'm not sure how I would fare if I didn't.