Have you seen them?

The summer flowers wilt and break as the warm weather turns to biting coastal winds. The sun does not shine as freely as it used to. The days are shorter, and the lands of Belfalas turn from gold to grey.

And the sea? You used to love our sea. Now, you only look upon the water with dread, searching every shadow for the black sails of Umbar. It is wrought with storms, yes, but it is still our home.

The night hung calmly over the carved halls. The stars, like a thousand gems scattered across the velvet, shone clearly in the deep blue, bathing the Iron Hills in their silver glimmer. Two dwarves sat laid atop the Dainlik, giggling to some, undoubtedly hilarious, joke one of them made. 

The cloud of bad feeling that had been left in the wake of the Company of Tol Lochul's audience with the Master of the House of Imladris was still palpable when Arahen strode in to the garden. The figure of Elrond stood in silent contemplation on the edge of an ornamental pond filled with large gold carp. Though her boots made no sound, Elrond met her eyes almost immediately.

“My daughter will not marry an urchin! A son of a coward! A clueless beardling whose own father left him behind for a mad-dwarf's cause!” 

Val’s words cut like a dagger to the back, the point twisted between his ribs, and piercing into a dark, locked corner of the Dwarf’s soul, and tugged at his greatest fear. 

The following morning we were at Northgyth’s door as soon as could be considered polite. Ymma answered, and ushered us in. Waelden had written a letter explaining we wanted the house, and had sufficient coin in place to make the purchase as soon as Erbrand’s grandson wished. He was ready to ride back into Edoras immediately, if Northgyth would provide an address. 

Freedom.

It is something that all beings crave for.

When a wild beast that has been captive all its life finally earns its own freedom.and control, it will fight to the bitter end to keep that control.