August 17
During a morning visit to the elf, Elgirion (a light Armoursmith of Celondim), Totharon learned that Elgirion was troubled over the possible disappearance of a local hare, Fainpod (meaning white foot), whom Elgirion had a particular friendship with.
Elgirion had already made his own investigations into the whereabouts of the hare, but did not find him. All he did find was a tuft of white fur, streaked with strands of grey (the distinctive colour of Fainpod's feet)
During their discussion, a young hobbit, Primrrose, who was seated nearby, offered her opinions on the matter and eventually accepted an offer from Totharon to search for the hare, starting in the location where Elgirion found the hair tuft.
The search did not result in the hare being found, but Totharon did discover a goblin arrow embedded in a nearby tree. After some discussion, Totharon and Primrrose decided to seek out any goblins in an attempt to find out more about the fate of Fainpod, if possible.
Transcript of quest
Primrrose sits down.
Totharon looking up at the morning rain, strolls over to the light armoursmith, Elgirion, to look at his wares.
Totharon notices that Elgirion seems to be deep in thought.
You say, 'Hail, Elgirion! How does thou fare this day? I perceive that a thought is upon you, indeed, one which is perplexing you.'
Totharon watches Elgirion turn around from his work and face him.
Totharon listens to Elgirion answer his question "Mae govannen, Totharon. Alas, your summation is accurate. My mind has been preoccupied with a matter that is concerning me."
You say, 'Pray, tell me, what is this thing? Perhaps I may be able to assist you.'
Totharon listens to Elgirion oblige in kind "Indeed, your words may be true, for the matter concerns a treasured creature of our land, a hare."
You say, 'A hare? Do you mean Fainpod? I know that he has a particular understanding with you, more so than with others.'
Totharon watches Elgirion nod as he answers "Yes, it is he whom I speak of. I have been walking in the hills and woods to the west of Celondim in recent times. Normally, I would come across Fainpod, but lately I have not laid my eyes upon him."
You say, 'I have studied his movement patterns, like you have. Surely, I agree that if you cannot find him in the usual places, then something is amiss. Whether the cause is something for good or ill, however, I could not say.'
Totharon listens to Elgirion elaborate "I fear, Totharon, it may be for ill, for I made a discovery yesterday, beyond noon."
Totharon holds out his hand to receive from Elgirion, a tuft of white fur, streaked with strands of grey.
You say, 'This is ill news: The distinctive fur colour does lend weight to it being Fainpod's. He may have been taken by a wild creature. Is this all that you found? Was there any sign of blood in the area?'
Primrrose nibbles a carrot
Totharon watches Elgirion shake his head as he answers, also noticing out of the corner of his eye, a young hobbit lass nibbling on a carrot. "This is all I found, Totharon, yet there was no trace of blood at all. Is it this that perplexes me."
You say, 'Of the creatures of the region, I suppose it would be the wolf that would be the most likely to be the hunter in this scenario. Yet to leave no trace of blood indicates that the bane of Fainpod may be another.'
Totharon watches Elgirion look at him for guidance "What are your thoughts on this matter then, Totharon?"
Primrrose says, 'hah a stone from a sling could stun a hare without drawing blood ....'
Totharon watches Totharon turn to the hobbit-lass and laugh merrily. "Perhaps I am seeking help from the wrong source, Totharon.
Primrrose says, 'for matters concerning a hare, seek a forester or the wife of a hunter ...'
Totharon watches Elgirion's reply to the hobbit "Or Totharon, an elf well versed in lore, particularly concerning animals. Nonetheless, your advice is sound, as I make it, young hobbit. Do you not agree, Totharon?"
You say, 'Indeed it is, Elgirion. Verily, I thank you, young hobbit (turning to her and bowing). Perhaps you would like to aid me on the search?'
Primrrose says, 'I suppose I could - my hubby will be away hunting until late tonight'
You say, 'Very well, young hobbit, I am, as you already have heard, Totharon of Celondim, son of Tolgwedhui.'
Primrrose says, 'but first - were the hairs you found cut, or pulled out with their roots?'
Totharon watches Elgirion answer the question, "They were certainly not cut"
You say, 'I have a question for you, Elgirion, before we set out.'
You say, 'I would like to go to the place where you found this fur: Perhaps more shall be revealed there.'
Primrrose says, 'hmmmm - then a tooluser is less suspect'
Totharon listens to Elgirion give him the directions to the place.
Primrrose says, 'but where are my manners/ I am Primrrose Spinney, duaghter of cerdic, wife of Hudosuld Waifpauble, a Fallohide from Little Delving'
Primrrose bows deeply.
You say, 'A pleasure, Primrrose'
You bow.
Totharon watches Elgirion bow in turn to Primrrose
Primrrose bows deeply.
You say, 'Well, let us set out, Primrrose and see what we can find.'
You say, 'Fainpod is quite a beloved creature of Elgirion, I am hopeful that he can be found. The lack of blood gives me some hope.'
Totharon stops
You say, 'We must travel south from here'
Primrrose says, 'wolf!'
You say, 'Hmm, yes. Their numbers are increasing disturbingly, in recent times'
You say, 'Wait a moment.'
Primrrose says, 'another wolf'
Totharon looks toward the doe
You say, 'We don't need to travel in that direction. We need to go south.'
You say, 'This is the place where the fur was found.'
You say, 'Keep your eyes open for any signs around. I will search the ground for any hint of the hare.'
Totharon kneels
Primrrose examines the bushes
Totharon puts his ear to the ground, as if listening to the earth itself.
You say, 'Hmmmm'
You say, 'The earth here speaks of unpleasant memory'
You say, 'Of a vile creature.'
Primrrose says, 'as do all too many places in Middle Earth'
You say, 'Yes, (Totharon agrees, while looking up)'
Totharon notices something embedded in the nearby tree trunk, up a little from the ground.
You say, 'I can see it from here, it is a goblin arrow. They are indeed bold to wander so close to our city.'
You say, 'But it is not surprising, however, in these days.'
Primrrose says, 'they nest north and west of here, usually'
Totharon ,with deft agility, quickly climbs up the tree, regains the arrow and returns to the ground.
Primrrose says, 'I have hunted them with my dwarf friends'
You say, 'Yes, it may be that one hunted the hare, for cruel sport or something else.'
Primrrose says, 'so = here is a conjecture: a goblin jumps on the hare, grabs its neck, but the hare is strong and escapes leaving a tuft of hair behind'
You say, 'A valid possibility, no doubt.'
You say, 'There is one element I can add to that: The fur was mainly white. Fainpod only has white hair on his paws, so, substitute neck for paw and your scenario is even more fitting.'
Primrrose says, 'hmmm - catches a foor in a snare, succeeds in pulling it out, at the cost of leaving some hair behind'
You say, 'Of course, there is the matter that Fainpod has not been seen since, so if he escaped, why no sign?'
You say, 'He could still have been caught, despite the loss of hair.'
Primrrose says, 'because he is hiding?'
Primrrose says, 'I cannot picture a goblin carrying a live hair back to its camp'
You say, 'Elgirion has a special affinity with Fainpod. I expect Fainpod would have come to him if he was around.'
You say, 'Who can understand or picture all of the wicked things that goblins can do.'
Primrrose says, 'well let us assume that Fainpod is not free to act. In which case we should seek out any goblins roundabout, who may have captured him'
You say, 'I think that would be a worthwhile course of action.'
End transcript
