Nindis wrapped her cloak around her even tighter. She picked a slice of waybread from her pack and leaned to the side and offered it to Linglorel with a grin hidden under her hood. Frimsi had been grumbling since they had left Gloin’s Camp and the camp was out of her sight for quite a while now. Their horses were walking in a slow pace on the icy roads leading deeper into the Misty Mountains.
“What is the use of stars, I ask you! Do they even provide light and warmth ? No! They are cold and useless! There is one ancient invention which is still intact today: Fire! As you have already seen in the camp, fire solidly and without any doubt provides warmth and light.”
A wayward wind carried his voice away for a moment of relief.
The Mountains were cold and stormy and there was a long snowy road before them until they reached warmer and kinder roads.
“And this Valar you speak of! What is their function ? Where were your Valar when Khazad-Dum fell ? They must have totally abandoned this world and they were good to do so! The Valar should mind their own business!”
Linglorel looked at Nindis and the two elf maidens started to sing to the Queen of Stars as the clouds above them moved sideways and starlight glittered on the snow around them.
As they kept singing, a veil of starlight formed around the company, hiding them from unfriendly eyes. Their voice had also soothed the dwarf and dragged him slowly into a slumbering state where he began to count the stars in the nightsky.
The Company carried on their journey through the Windcleft. The wind was running down the pass, making it even harder for them to walk the elevated path. Yet they were determined and they moved on. Frimsi was filled with the plans for more profit. Nindis longed for something she cannot yet understand and put into words and Linglorel was ever in wonder on the path to Laurelindórenan.
Nindis did not like the scent carried in the wind. It was goblins and even wargs before them. Linglorel had already felt the same and prepared her bow.
“I do not want any Valar other than Aule, I say. Without him how would we …”
“Master Frimsi, besilent.”
The unusual tone in Linglorel's voice was a warning enough. A masterpiece from the Halls shone under the frozen starlight, Master Frimsi had brought his long storied axe.
Their noise, smell and foulness gave away the goblins. Arrows flew from the Woodelven bow and the winds carried them.
"By Mahal, you have cleansed a whole goblin camp!"
"You are truly a student of Varda's son, Linglorel!" cried Nindis as she beheld the maiden's skill with the bow and arrow.
Starhidden Company passed through the mountain roads once trailed by wargs and goblins. Falling snow covered their footsteps.
