About an hour went by and still there was no sign nor sound of Threland or the other Bree-landers. It was quiet and dark, the fire was crackling and fed many times it the even went on...
Suddenly there came the sound of hooves from down the path, looking down it Eofeole had not seen anything for it was dark but at that moment Threland, Bramson and Colson came marching out of the darkness - drawn to the fire light which led them back and so they were regrouped once more but the woman was nowhere to be seen. It would seem that Threland failed at finding her but it would seem minor that she should fall in the barrows. After all, was she not there when they had come? And by her own as well.
So then the attention was turned to the coming of the hooves after they had greeted. And slowly coming out of the darkness was a pony, stout and white furred it was. The rider too was stout but short and in the night the dazzle of numerous gems could be seen upon the rider's chest. So came forth the rider, no longer a figure in the dark but a dwarf upon a Pony. She came to the group and greeted them heartily as she dismounted her Pony(With great effort it seemed). And suddenly as she faced them there was recognition. Gaping as he looked down upon her, Eofeole spoke "Kneel! All of you, kneel before the dwarf!" And so Eofeole and Isaura was the first to kneel, the rest seem reluctant and questioned this order, "Just do it..." whisperd Isaura, but Eofeole turned and spoke again, "Do you not know who this is, have you not heard of such a fine beard before? Nay, clearly you have not. But it is obvious to me that this beard is one of great renown and tales have reached me from many parts that this is 'The Beard of the Year'. Among many other beards this beard has proved to be the finest and so we must show our respect to it!" With that they all kneeled and the dwarf, Lady Kveltrild laughed merrily, the glisten of the fire light glittering in her beard as the jewels bounced at her laughter.
"I have heard that you have come here with reason, masters and I have come with something which may aid your cause!" She said cheerfully and all looked upon her with awe and disbelief. "I have come with a light that shall bring much hope upon your path and rid of much darkness which lies in your way." This she offered to Eofeole who took it with gratitude and bowed his head to her saying, "I thank you truly for such a gift but Great Beard, I must ask of you: Would you not come with us? I know that the beard truly is mighty but I wish to see it for myself." To that she again laughed and nodded. She had joined their company and now six once again they were but what perils lay ahead of them it was unlikely that any knew, perhaps Kveltrild? But she had not spoken much word of the Barrows to them and they did not ask.
So now the company had gone forth and entered the Great Barrow...
