Mister Lothrandir an’ meself made the first leg of our journey south to Pynti-peldot under Woolly Oliphant escort.
It slowed the pace, as Nessie en’t bred to keep up with the dogs. But Mister Ofráth were inclined to play it safe with Mister Arvedui King-Ghost an’ Mister Captain Aeril’s relics.
The Beardie Dorfs’ll be compensated fer their ample aid in the form o’ tariff reliefs: Evendim lies at the crossroads betwixt Dorf-lands in the Blue Mountains, Zigilgund, and Orthy-kar. Whenever a caravan passes through, they stops at Twilight Lake ter pay a customs fee fer traversin’ the Dúney-lands.
Mister Lothrandir’s proposition were to waive Zigilgund’s dues fer a few seasons, in thanks fer bringing Thoroval's last piece ter light. Mister Ofráth dinnae mind that suggestion at all.
Secretly, I s'pect the intellectual challenge were so interestin’, an’ the construction so much fun they might’ve just done it anyway. ‘Specially since they got to show up Mister Arvedui’s doubts about the prospect o’ successfully raisin' the stern from the sea (likely many ballads along the lines o’ The Clever Dorfs an’ the Silly Ghost will be sung in Zigilgund’s folk repertoire fer generations).
Biddin’ Mister Arvedui ‘imself farewell were a somber deal. When the ethereal bloke’ll ever reconcille with ‘imself, an’ allow what be ter be, I dinnae ken.
“My atonement may come with time, damsel, but it is not yet come. Nevertheless, there is relief, knowing what I caused to be lost may not be wielded against my line. You have my gratitude for this, Perianeth."
I started to say some’ut – thar do be such a thing as lettin’ go. – But Mister Lothrandir laid hand on me shoulder.
“Go well, son of Eryndol, and may the Valar light your paths. Speak well of me to our brethren, and to any of my line that remain, and bring them hope of great deeds to come. Perhaps one day when the sundered Kingdoms of Arnor, rent in petty schisms through which the Witch-King triumphed, are again made whole, will Arvedui son of Araphant know peace.”
Mister Lothrandir gave the King-Ghost a full-fledged sword-salute (smartly-done, too), promisin’ ter return with tidin’s o’ the treasures’ safe delivery, an’ any word from Gaffer Elrond, an’ the Dúney Chief or Captains.
When I glanced back as the sledge flew southwards, the Ghost-King 'ad vanished.
* * *
Jonagold eyed me balefully as I reclaimed ‘er in Pynti-peldot an’ thanked the miller for keepin’ ‘er in shape. She were ready ter be back in green fields.
Mister Lothrandir were to make the journey back to Evendim with me, as deliverin’ the last o’ Thoroval’s legacy were kinda his duty an’ privilege. I were just helpin’ carry stuff.
I were smitten with his towerin’ black warmblood Mithúl. But more smitten still were I when we went to lodge his dogs a few days with some bloke called Hannu, what runs Pynti-peldot’s kennels.
Excitable yippin’ assailed our ears.
I were almost knocked over by Arvo, the charcoal alpha. HE in turn were almost knocked over by a swarm o’ seven fluffy progeny, an’ a sweet missie the color o’ creamy coffee. Arvo were a papa? Who knew!?
I had it figgered by then that Arvo, Elea, an’ Onni all be litter-mates – so silly Ellie’s an auntie an’ Onni’s an uncle!
I squee’ed about as loud as the swarm. They en’t truly pups. But nae big enough to be properly dogs, either. They be at the Tween stage: all legs, an' GIANT ears, an’ nothin’ but pure energy in between.
The lot of us ran in circles, tumblin' in the snowbanks till I resembled a tubby snowman, an’ had to go dust off an’ make somethin’ hot to drink.
Mister Lothrandir joined me shortly after. He wore a grin on ‘is gold-bearded face, an’ carried four wriggling bundles of exuberance (three white-an’-grey; one pure white) in ‘is brawny arms.
“What, are they yours?”
“Half of them. – These ones. – Hannu breeds sled-runners. I loaned him Arvo last season to stir up the stock.”
“Four outta seven? You DID get the lucky draw.”
“Hannu took the odd one last time I loaned him Hirvi. Fair’s fair.”
“Your team’s gonna be huge now!”
“Only by one. I’m thinking him.” He hefted the darkest, with the longest legs. “These two I’ll bring with us to Evendim – Give the boys a practical present to go with all the barnacle-crusted relics, you know?”
“Tidy! An’ what be his lot, then?” I looked at the white animal thar were almost a clone of Elea, ‘is aunt.
“I thought you might like him.” The Big Lad ruffed the white pup, feigning not to notice the slight *eep!* noise I may’ve made. “I understand Calenglad’s already paid you for your contract delivery. In light of things, I suspect your fees might be ... adjusted. This could be a start.”
“You sure?” The tween were a lanky creature. But I could see from ‘is shoulders what sorta build he were headed for: he’d be a beast at full size. “He’d be a great puller.”
“He’s got the body for it,” Mister Lothrandir admitted. “He may not have the mentality, though.” From the short time I’d seen ‘im, the pup’s behavior were also a clone of ‘is aunt. “Hannu says he acts more like a companion animal than a teamster; he seems to do best with one-on-one exercises.”
“What’s ‘is name?”
“Eero. – Hannu names them all in Lossoth, obviously. My fun comes in teasing Dúnadan names out of the sounds. Gives me something to pass time on long rides ... I thought about Erogorthad.”
“What, the ‘Solitary Ghost?’” Thar were either too sad for words, or a really sweet tribute.
The white specter were wrigglin’ on ‘is back tryin' ter eat snowflakes, paws all a’flail. ... Mister Arvedui said ‘e admired a mind what could simply live for livin’, nae regrettin’ aught. I decided it were a tribute.
“You sure?” I repeated, even though by now I were huggin’ ‘im clean off the ground.
A trusty pony, a feathered scout, an’ now a fluffy guard-dog? ... Thar cannae be a Hobbit better outfitted fer any Adventure the Wide World has to offer at this point.
The Dúney lad looked wry. “Hannu also says he’s ... easily distracted – Takes after his sire’s family in that regard as well. – He warned me whoever takes him was in for a headache.”
... Did I deserve that? .... I might have.
* * *
The Green-Hoods in Evendim were surprised to see me.
I’d taken so much longer than a simple postal run should’ve, they figgered I’d come to harm.
They were even more surprised to see Mister Lothrandir. But that dinnae hold a candle to the scene upon revealin’ what we brought with us.
I hopes all Mister Arvedui’s books can be restored. I were right: they be bound for River-dell. Along with the Elf-Captain’s effects. Gaffer Elrond’ll either know the next o’ Mister Aeril’s kin, or what else ter do with the stuff – helm, astrolabe, satchel of knick-knacks.
Hopefully he gets somethin’ out of it all.
The trees hereabouts be all but turned (pumpkin pie now be properly in season – YESSS!!).
Jonagold’s kickin’ her heels up in the crisp air, Maddie’s aloft in the swirlin’ leaves above; Eero’s chasin’ the ones below in circles, an’ I gots a mountain o’ new ballads ter write up.
Mornin’ over the King’s Crossin’ south o’ Twilight Lake saw a cheeky Hobbit on the road toward home.
* * *
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