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Tearna Quickfoot
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re: The Tale of Bilwise or Bilwise's Adventure Intro

Now, this is in the tales and fiction section only because there is no historical section! This is the event the way Tearna and Tamoro remembered it happening. As the events were a bit old when we started writing it, our rememberings might not be spot on. So, please accept it as the recounting of events through our happy hobbit eyes.

(And apologies to any of you that we remembered way out of character. We did try to write in your heart and soul. :) )

I'll be adding the additional chapters as they are presented at Ales N Tales.

PS: Also note that the version served up here might be a bit different from the version I present at Ales N Tales, only because you have to be careful of long sentences and phrasing so I usually have to make some small last minute edits when I'm putting it in Poetical to make sure it fits... and flows. :)



For you Corulin! *hugs* :)


Last edited by Tearna Quickfoot on 2017/11/14 7:55 pm; edited 2 times in total


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re: The Tale of Bilwise Chapter 1

Patting a comfortably full belly, Bilwise stepped out of the cavernous building that had served as his inn for the night at Tinnudir. Offering a smile and nod to the rangers at the entrance, he took a deep breath and stepped out into the early morning sunlight that was bathing the porch in a yellow glow. A gorgeous spring morning, small white clouds speckled the bright blue sky. Warm sunshine, peeking over the mountains, had begun to nibble away at the chill of the crisp morning air. Pulling his pipe from his coat, Bilwise carefully filled the bowl with an aromatic sweetleaf pipeweed. He tamped it down several times before lighting the pipe and enjoy a long satisfying draw.

Bilwise was well known about town for his abundantly-stocked snack cart. While he didn’t cook everything on the cart, and realistically wouldn’t have enough hours in the day to cook it all, most of the tastiest dishes were by his own hand. He had a knack for knowing when and where to find the very best ingredients. One of his special recipes required a rare mushroom that he’d found only in the area around Lake Evendim in the early spring.

Like many hobbits, Bilwise wasn’t overly fond of water but, he wasn’t afraid of it either. There was something almost majestic about the huge lake and the lands around it, mountainous and rough though they were. And while there was danger, like any wild wooded area, there were many rangers speckled about and as such, the hobbit felt relatively safe after his many years of coming here.

Usually, his hunter friend Sullo joined him, offering friendly conversation while keeping an eye out for coneys as well as things that might try to make dinner out of a hobbit. Today, however, the hobbit hunter and his wife, Amberflower, were busy off in the Dead Marshes hunting down an orc captain that reportedly had a fetish for turtles. There were many theories as to what he did with those turtles, from making soup to using them for things dark and strange. Amberflower was determined to find out where the turtles were being held and rescue them. Naturally, Sullo couldn’t let his wife go alone.

However, the mushrooms at Lake Evendim should be at their peak, so Bilwise didn’t feel the luxury to wait. Others that he might have asked to come were all off in far-away lands and so, the hobbit chef had decided to venture to the lake alone.

The hobbit adjusted the pack on his back, took another draw on his pipe and headed down the stairs and towards the lake shore. These fungi could be found growing in the shade of any of the tall evergreens that populated the hillsides. But the biggest, and tastiest, grew around a cave on the opposite side of the lake, one rumored to be inhabited by a ghost, or spirit, or some such. Bilwise never took much stock in those types of stories and in his handful of times visiting the area, had never seen anything out of the ordinary.

It was a day’s walk or more around the lake to the waterfall and cave, depending on how many wildcats or wolves you had to dodge on your way. Fortunately, recent years had seen the addition of a boat dock. There you could catch a skiff to an island in the midst of the lake, home to many frilled lizards, or to the Eavespires, a small clearing that was home to an Ent and some elves. The Eavespires was his destination today.

This landing was the closest he could get to the special cave and even then it would be a half day’s walk to get there. However, the walk was pleasant, the scenery was suburb and he would most likely find mushrooms under the trees as he sojourned.

Smiling up at the boat master on the dock, Bilwise drew deeply on his pipe and blew out, producing an almost perfect circle of smoke.

“Mornin’, Master hobbit,” the tall red clad ranger nodded, his ruddy sunbaked face completely devoid of mirth or pleasure.

“Aye, a good morning it is at that,” Bilwise beamed a bigger smile up at the man. “I’d like to go to the Eavespires, if you please.”

“Eavespires is it? I s’pose it doesn’t matter if I please it or not,” the tall muscular man frowned down at the hobbit.

“Not a very friendly place though,” he gruffed, as if trying to change the hobbit’s mind.

“Lookin’ for mushrooms, not friends,” Bilwise took another puff on his pipe and nodded.

Seeing no sign that the hobbit was going to change his mind, the dock master held out a rough hand. “That’ll be 17 and a half silver then”, he growled. “If you please…”

Bilwise chuckled as he pulled a plump money pouch from under his jacket, counted out the coins and deposited them in the ranger’s large outstretched hand. The tall ranger nodded to two brawny men sitting nearby who leapt to their feet, boarded one of the small boats and helped the hobbit in.

“Take care where you be lookin’,” the dockmaster frowned. “Reports say the Guaradan’s been comin’ down from the mountain, more and more.”

“I thank you for the warning, good sir. I assure you I am always careful.” Bilwise replied, offering a last smile as the boat pushed away from the dock. “A good day to you!”

Guaradan were old news and had been coming down from the hills for years now. Brigands were spotted here and there as well, but both were easy enough to hide from in stealth. More troublesome were the Angmarim, as they had ways to detect you, but they confined themselves to the ruins of the old city, Annuminas, and so weren’t a real threat. That left animals, which were harder to hide from because they used their noses, not their eyes, but could be done if one was careful and minded the direction of the wind.

With strong sure strokes, the oarsmen began to propel the small craft forward, creating larger ripples on the soft glittering ripples of the lake. It wasn’t a bad ride. The oarsmen made straight for the first island and then more or less island hopped across the lake to the opposite shore. But it was a fairly long ride. Bilwise settled himself and puffed on his pipe, watching the ebb and flow of the ripples, softly humming a tune that had been stuck in his head since the Andune concert the day before.


Last edited by Tearna Quickfoot on 2017/11/14 11:42 pm; edited 2 times in total


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re: Tale of Bilwise Chapter 2

Gone Missing

A quiet spring morning, the night sky had begun to pale ever so slightly. But, the kitchen windows of the Quickfoot home were aglow with life. Tamoro hummed softly as he pulled a pan of freshly baked muffins from the oven, cracked eggs into a big bowl and began to whip air into them. Always an early riser and the cook of the family, he treasured the quiet solitude of mornings.

He’d just poured the egg mixture into a pie pan loaded mushrooms and bacon, when loud noises erupted from somewhere near the front of the house. Frowning, he shoved the pan into the oven, grabbed his dagger, and headed towards the noise to find out what goblin was trying to wreck his home.

He was in the grand room when it dawned on him that it was someone pounding wildly on the door. And pounding hard! Tucking the dagger in his belt, he hurried his steps to see what was so urgent. As he opened the door, a young lad nearly fell into the entry hall in the midst of a knock. Human, he looked to be a tween, his face beaded with sweat and breathing heavily.

“Mr. Quickfoot?” he managed between gasps.

“Yeees,” Tam replied a bit slowly looking up at the lad. “You’ve found the Quickfoot home.”

“I was told ta bring you this,” the lad blurted out as he thrust a note at Tam. “Was told it’s very important and I’d get 500 silver for deliverin’ it within half an hour so here it is!” he shook the note at Tam urgently.

Tam nodded and received the note from the lad, raised a brow and asked, “Who sent it?” Having had some very bad experiences with anonymously delivered notes, he was understandably cautious.**1

“Don’t know,” the lad shook his head. “Open it.”

“Open it!” he pleaded seeing Tam’s hesitation. “S’got some special elfy magic on it and they’ll know when you opened it so I can get my coins!”

With a wry smile, Tam slipped his fingers under the fancy seal and pried the note open. Five hundred silver was a fortune to some folks. The note was from Lhinnthel, written hastily. Tam frowned as he read.

“Thanks!” the lad replied gleefully. “Any message back?”

Tam, part time treasure hunter, shook his head, took a gold piece from his pouch and held it out.
“This was a very important message. Thank you,” he smiled as the lad took the coin, eyes wide with surprise and alight with happiness.

“And be careful as you head back to Bree. Lotta bad folks between here and there that would like to take that from you,” he added gruffly as the youth tucked the coin away.

“Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!” the lad beamed a smile as wide as his face. Wiping a trickle of sweat from his brow, the young man turned and headed back down the road towards home.

According to the note, no one had seen Mr. Bilwise for eight days. Lhinn had learned from Mr. Sullo that Bilwise had asked him about going to Lake Evendim to look for mushrooms. No one had seen or heard from Bilwise since.

Back in the kitchen, Tam began to convert his breakfast spread into an eat-on-the-go meal as his mind began to rearrange the plans for that day.

He and Tearna were supposed to meet Wicked and the rest of the ‘gang’ for a venture into Isengard to continue their search for special rings held by Saruman. These rings were said to unlock a stable where special ponies were found, and Tearna dearly wanted one of those ponies. They’d found the first few rings rather easily. The next took much more stealth and prowess and the last had been down right elusive so far.

Leaving a couple of the muffins stuffed with egg for he and Tearna to eat on the way, he packed the rest in a bag and hurried upstairs to wake his sleeping wife and pack some necessities for the trip.

While Tamoro loved early mornings, Tearna was of the opinion that the sun should be up at least an hour or more before she ventured from her bed. She was snuggled under her favorite pink quilt, snoring softly. Tam smiled and kissed the rosy cheek peeking out from the covers.

“Morning, love. Time to wake up,” he murmured softly near her ear.

“Mmmmmm, mornin’?” she rolled over a bit and squinted through one eye. “S’dark still,” she slurred as she rolled back to her side and pulled the covers over her face.

“Yes, I know love, but the sun will be up shortly and we got an urgent message from Lhinn,” Tam gently tugged at the covers, meeting resistance.

Tam sighed, his voice taking on a quiet, serious tone. “Bilwise is missing. No one’s seen him for eight days now.” Tearna rolled over and sat straight up, almost colliding with her husband in the process.

“Missing? Does they know where he went?” she blurted out, rubbing sleep out of tired eyes as she rolled out of bed and began to dress.

“They think he went to Lake Evendim looking for mushrooms and they are mounting a search. Word’s gone out to all the kin to come if they can. We’ll have to stop on the way to let Wicked and Night know we have a change of plans. I’ve already got breakfast made. We can eat on the way,” the burglar explained as he began packing their clothes for travel.

Tearna joined her husband, nodding to his words with a frown as they filled their bags for the trip. Lake Evendim was a very big place to be looking for someone.



**1 : Those who were around for the first story we did, The Quickfoot Adventures, may recall that Tamoro got into some very serious trouble responding to a note given to him by a stranger. :) He was the one who inserted this flash back to the past. hehe


Last edited by Tearna Quickfoot on 2017/11/14 11:47 pm; edited 3 times in total


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re: The Tale of Bilwise or Bilwise's Adventure Intro

Oooh such an awesome story, Tearna! =D Thank you so much for sharing! Really looking forward to the next part! =D


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re: The Tale of Bilwise or Bilwise's Adventure Intro

Very nice, Ms Tearna!


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re: The Tale of Bilwise or Bilwise's Adventure Intro

Tearna Quickfoot -- such a great story. Thank you for posting your story and I am wondering where the tales goes next. Soooooooooo looking forward to enjoying chapter 3 the next time you read to us at Ales and Tales :)
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Thank you Tearna. I am so enjoying this tale.


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re: Chapter 3

The Gathering

Members of the Lonely Mountain Band hailed from far and wide, with homes in Bree, the Elven lands, the Dwarven caves and the sunny Shire. There were even those who called no land home except where their feet trod at the moment. So, Lhinnthel had sent the call for help to as many different lands in as many different ways as was possible.

“Meet in Tinudur as soon as you are able to aide in the search for our beloved, Bilwise, missing these eight days hence,” was the message.

Tamoro and Tearna’s first stop, however, would be the home of Wicked and Nightmagic Panzer, who lived in another corner of the Bree neighborhood. The sun had risen to just above the trees and the Panzer’s were sitting in a large patch of sunlight, enjoying a sumptuous breakfast of bacon and eggs with all the trimmings. Tearna’s nose twitched, her mouth watered and she heard Tam’s belly grumble in response to the wonderful aroma.

“Hello…,” Nightmagic rose and waved. “Wasn’t expecting you two until later. Did you smell the bacon all the way over at your house?” she chuckled. “Come, join us,” she offered a welcoming smile as she beckoned them to her. “There’s plenty. Hobbits don’t know how to cook small meals.”

“Does smell awful good,” Tearna smiled and waved back without offering to dismount. “’Fraid we’s not got time ta stay though.”

“We’re going to have to take a rain check on Isengard, sadly,” Tam shook his head. “We got word that Bilwise has been missing for many days now. Maybe went to Lake Evendim looking for mushrooms. Kin is amassing a search party and we’re headed there now.”

“How long has he been missing?” Wicked frowned thoughtfully as he approached the hobbits, who were still perched atop their war ponies.

“Eight days,” Tam replied. “That's a long time to be mushroom hunting. S’pose he could just be lost, but as you know, lottsa bad stuff roams around that lake these days.”

Wicked nodded, “That is a big area of land to search too,” and he turned to Nightmagic and tilted his head to the side ever so slightly.

“Well, of course we should go help,” she responded promptly. “They’ll need all the eyes and ears they can gather.”

“Won’t take us long to finish packing,” the hunter added. Night nodded in agreement and headed into the house as Wicked turned back towards the house and raised his voice. “Jasmine and Ice, I know you’re back there listening in!”

Giggles greeted Wicked’s deep gruff voice as the two hobbits slipped from around the corner of the kin house.

“Come clean up the table and pack it up to take with us,” the hunter instructed, this time greeted with groans. “What’s that? Blah, blah, blah… I can’t meet….” the human trailed off as the two hobbits were joined by two others and they all set to work, chattering away about the news and theories on what might have become of Mr. Bilwise.

Wicked chuckled and turned back to Tam and Tea, patting her pony on the nose. “We’ll meet you in Tinnudir shortly,” he added as he turned and headed toward the door.

“Thanks Wicked,” Tam offered. “See you soon then,” and the two hobbits turned their ponies and headed out with some haste.

Lake Evendim was some distance away. But, there were magic elven paths … if you knew where to look. The war ponies from Rohan could travel faster and longer than regular ponies and the magic of the elves somehow managed to cut the time it took to travel drastically. Still, the sun was almost straight up by the time they arrived at the ranger camp on the east side of the lake. Many of their kin members were already present, talking with one another or with the rangers.

Tearna slipped off her pony, patted his neck and offered him a small carrot from her pocket before handing him over to the stable master. As they headed towards the main camp, Lhinnthel approached with a wave.

“So glad you could come,” she gave each a hug, which was no small feat for the tall Elfess.

“How could we not?” Tearna replied as she returned the hug. “D’ya know anythin’ more than what ya had in the message ya sended us?”

Soberly, Lhinn shook her head. “Not really. Boat master says he took the skiff across the lake to The Eavespires. The ents and elves there bid him safe journeys as he headed south along the lake shore, towards Annuminas.”

“Leastwise it narrows down where we need to search,” Tam offered thoughtfully. “The other side of the lake has the mountain in the back so not as much ground to cover as we might have had on this side.”

Lhinn nodded, “Of course that is assuming he only sojourned on that side. If his search for mushrooms was unsuccessful, he might have doubled back to try on this side.”

“But, we should focus on the other shore first,” the sweet voice of Byrcha chimed in from behind them as she tucked a pair of riding gloves in her belt and adjusted her hat.

“Do we have an operation center set up yet? And who else has arrived?” the pert hobbit lass famous for her big plumed hat strode purposely towards the small group.

“Byrcha!” Lhinn smiled at the kin leader. “Yes, Holly finagled a few tables out of the rangers and has them spread with maps and charts that she is pouring over now. Geoffroi is assisting her. Or at least he is there with a lute in hand," she chuckled.

"Last I saw, Aedon and Craicwyth were trying to gather what information they could from the local population. Sullo and Amberwise are already on the other shore looking for tracks. Corulin, Greyylene, Veriwyn, and Lauralda are out talking to rangers. I’ve also seen at least a dozen others wandering about talking to each other.”

The elfess chuckled, "Even Aegthil is here!"

Byrcha nodded and headed to the sandy encampment area brushing the road dust from her outfit. “Let’s see what Holly has for us.”

The elf, Hollyberye, was busy studying the various maps and making notes. She was surrounded by cages with pigeons, and various crates and totes of supplies stuffed to overflowing. She looked up as the kin leader approached, worry etched in her face.

“Oh Byrcha! Eight days! Eight whole days!” her voice cracked and a tear streaked down one cheek. “How could we let eight long days go by and not know something was amiss?” Another tear joined the first and the elfess bit her lip, choking back the tears.

“We will find him, Holly,” Byrcha nodded with an encouraging nod! “And knowing Bilwise, we will find him alive. There’s more to that lad than pies and pipeweed!”

“He must be alive… he simply must! I don’t know if I could stand it….” Holly’s voice trailed off, full of remorse. Lhinnthel moved around the table to give her elven friend a comforting hug.

Knowing that work was the best antidote for helpless anguish, Byrcha pointed to the tables full of parchments. “What do you have for us, Holly?”

Holly sighed, wiping the tears from her face. “Well, honestly… not much. Yet!” she twisted a tendril of hair in her fingers as she frowned at the maps.

“The rangers say he went to the Eavespires,” she placed a long slender finger on the map. “The elves confirm that he was there and headed south,” her finger traced a line on the map along the lake shore.
“After that, no word of him. If we get enough folks here to search…”

“We’re here to help in whatever way we can,” the deep voice of Wicked carried across the sand, cutting her off, as he approached with Nightmagic in tow, followed by Palafoxia, Chukkato, Ereylin, Blynd and Miazine.

“Thank you,” Byrcha turned and beckoned to the approaching group. “We’ll take all the help we can get!”

She turned back to Holly, “Let’s start a roster of who is here and mark up the map into territories for the groups to search.”

“And meanwhile,” the kin leader looked at the growing crowd standing about, raising her voice so all could hear. “We’ll need transport across the lake. Go see how many boats we can lay hands on, even if it means taking some of them from bandit camps nearby!”

The thought of taking boats from brigands drew enthusiastic nods and noises from the attendees as they coordinated among themselves and set out on their missions, grateful for something concrete to do.


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re: The Tale of Bilwise or Bilwise's Adventure Intro

I'm so glad you put this in the forums so we can keep up with the story if we can't make it to Ales and Tales.

Thank you Tearna. Delightful story.


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re: The Tale of Bilwise or Bilwise's Adventure Intro

Thank you dear Tearna....please pack extra tissue for me, though wink....

So happy you are publishing here.
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re: The Tale of Bilwise or Bilwise's Adventure Intro

Yay the next chapter! Thank you for posting it here, Tearna! =D It's such a wonderful story! =D


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re: The Tale of Bilwise or Bilwise's Adventure Intro

Very nice, Ms T. Enjoying this a lot. Though ...

"Byrcha dismounted and got out her demerit book ...

Lesse ... 20 demerits for dragging the kin into this ... plus 50 for not leaving the snack cart on this shore so we could have snacks ... plus *sniffs the air* .. ok ... *jots down 'demerits for fires started: pending' in her book*"
lol


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re: The Tale of Bilwise or Bilwise's Adventure Intro

Bilwise wrote:
Very nice, Ms T. Enjoying this a lot. Though ...

"Byrcha dismounted and got out her demerit book ...

Lesse ... 20 demerits for dragging the kin into this ... plus 50 for not leaving the snack cart on this shore so we could have snacks ... plus *sniffs the air* .. ok ... *jots down 'demerits for fires started: pending' in her book*"
lol


hahaha! I'd think she'd wait to demerit you AFTER we find you. :) Maybe I should add that in.
hmmmmm


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re: The Tale of Bilwise or Bilwise's Adventure Intro

LMB to the rescue!!


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re: The Tale of Bilwise or Bilwise's Adventure Intro

Chapter 4 : The Search Begins

Bilwise was much beloved, and not just because of his snack cart. He was known for a generous spirit and his lightheartedness and optimism seemed to lift the gloom from those around him. And so, everyone who heard the news came. Even the likes of Aegthil, who rarely left Madame Celestine’s these days, showed up in a garish bright pink dress offering to “entertain the troops” at the base camp.

Little more than an hour later, plans were drawn up and search parties assigned. They’d managed to secure four skiffs and one canoe. The skiffs would easily accommodate four people, six if several of them were hobbits.

Holly and Byrcha would man the base camp, assign any stragglers and send out pigeons for word on the progress of the various teams. Freemark, Tulenn, Belathriel, and Zarenwen would coordinate groups to search the eastern side of the lake while everyone else would head to the other side.

Though it was a long shot, Aedon, Greyylene and Bunnyman set out in the canoe to the island in the midst of the lake famous for its frilled lizards. Bilwise had been known to whip up some scrumptious repasts with those lizard’s eggs.

It was decided that hunters, with their tracking skills, should lead the groups on the other side of the lake. Lhinnthel would lead the group searching near the shore, Sullo’s group would scour the high side of the hills, while Wicked’s group tracked the terrain between those two.

The lake was calm, the only movement the ripples as the boat moved forward. A soft breeze stirred the air, cooling the heat of the sun on the traveler’s skin. There was a heavy silence as they rowed across the lake, minds busy pondering what they might find.

Now hobbits are known for having big feet. But they are not heavy footed and don’t wear shoes so are not as prone to leave footprints as big folks. Added to that was the fact that Bilwise was trained as a burglar and accustom to hiding his tracks. Thus, the tracking was slow and any signs of the hobbit’s passing once he left Evenspires, were few and far between.

Lhinnthel’s group made the first discovery, a patch of mushrooms that had been carefully harvested with a knife, the younger fungi left behind to mature. Wicked’s group found the next, the black remains of pipeweed on the ground beside a rock. Here and there they’d find a faint bare footprint, or a bent twig or more mushrooms that had been cut. It was agonizingly slow work, but the fact that they’d found signs encouraged the teams.

Wicked’s group had sat down for a moment to eat some trail food and have a drink when they heard screams. Terrified screams.

“What the…” Wicked stood up, turning from side to side, trying to determine where the screams were coming from on the echoing hillside.

“That scream sounds familiar,” Nightmagic said slowly, looking up the hill, her elven eyes taking in details that others would miss.

“Ereylin,” Tearna nodded in response.

“Can’t be Ereylin. She is with Sullo and Chukk,” Tamoro countered.

“Ereylin,” Tearna repeated. By now, it was obvious the sound was coming down the mountain and had been joined by a deep drumming sound.

“HEEELP!” came a loud screech.

Nightmagic pointed at a small shape hurrying down the hillside. “It is Ereylin,” the elf shook her head incredulously. “And GIANTS,” she added, shouting as four large shapes came into view. The ground under the searchers began to shake as the running giants came nearer.

Weapons ready, the group spread out. Wicked ran forward to lay a trap to hopefully slow at least one, perhaps two of their foes.

“Over here, Erey!” shouted Nightmagic. “Come to us!” The rest of the group joined in as Ereylin ran towards them, barely ahead of the huge stomping feet.

“Oh, hurry, Erey!” Tearna yelled, her harp out and a chord of encouragement already started. Picking up a burst of energy, the hobbit lass streaked past Wicked as the giants slowed down a bit at the sight of the others.

“Wot’s this?” one giant asked as they stopped some distance back from the searchers.
“Dinner?” grinned another giant, drawing rough chuckles from the rest.

“But some fun first,” said the biggest as he stepped forward and picked up a large boulder. “Get em, boys!” he bellowed as he tossed a rock at Nightmagic.

The runekeeper already had her hands in the air, concentrating. Bright yellow bubbles surrounded the team. The boulder bounced off Night harmlessly, landing behind the group.

“Arghhh,” screamed one of the giants, tugging at his legs pinned in the hunter’s trap. “Hurts! It hurts me!” he bellowed, cries of pain turning to anger.

“Kill! Kill you tiny creatures!” he roared as he picked up a boulder and heaved it at the searchers while the other three giants moved in.

Huge hands smashed and slapped but the yellow bubble held secure while Wicked and Curmudgeon tried to turn the nearest giant into a pin cushion.

No longer afraid, Ereylin turned and screamed her most blood curdling cry at the closest giant who momentarily froze in his tracks while she played a tune of despair and death to demoralize the frozen enemy.

Nightmagic shifted her magic rocks and the searchers began to emanate a soft green light as their strength increased. Suddenly, the yellow bubble was gone and the giants erupted into a cheer, almost simultaneously. Craicwyth put up a banner to help encourage and protect the team.

Tam did whatever trick burglars do to hide in plain sight and snuck around behind one. Swiftly he lept up in the air and stabbed the giant, rendering him useless for a bit. Another giant nearby growled in rage and swiped at Tam, tossing him far across the field. The burglar slammed into a boulder and fell to the ground, shaking his head.

Tearna screamed and struck a chord and a beam of light came down from the sky on the monster’s head. The giant bellowed in pain and held its head, dazed as the minstrel followed up with another dissonant chord that had the hulking creature bent over in agony.

The ground thundered as one of the hulks pounded both fists into the ground. A shock wave burst forth stunning the whole party, except Tam. Now recovered somewhat, he moved forward to try and help Nightmagic, who was taking quite a beating.

The hobbit burglar reviewed his options. Marbles were too small to trip the giants. They wouldn’t even know they were there. His special dust would work, but only if he could get it in their face and unless he suddenly learned to fly, no chance of that. Stabbing at fists that got too close as they grabbed for the healer and dodging hands that grabbed at him, Tam worked to keep the giant’s attentions until the stun wore off. But it was tiring work and he was running out of tricks.

“Come on… wake up every one!” he murmured under his breath, barely ducking in time to avoid a hand trying to fling him aside.

Then from behind the giants came a roar and a javelin flew through the air, burying itself in the side of the giant’s neck. Yelping in pain, the giant grabbed the barb and yanked it out. Blood spurted from the wound and ran down his neck as he turned to face the new foe. A barrage of arrows flew into the giant’s face followed by more cries of pain.

Sullo, Amberflower, Chukkato and Miazine advanced on the giants, with Blynd following closely behind. Meanwhile, the daze began to wear off on Wicked’s team and they began to assault the giants from the back.

“Too many… run boys,” screamed the giant with a face full of arrows as he darted away from the oncoming hunters and warden. Two of his fellows followed him.

“Huh-uh,” chuffed another as he turned, grabbed a boulder and tossed it at Miazine and Sullo. They dodged it easily and let loose another barrage of arrows. With a howl of pain, the giant grabbed at the arrows in his face and raced off after the others.

Tamoro waved and smiled at the others. “Good thing you showed up. It was getting kinda dicey there!” he clapped Chukk on the shoulder.

“We were looking for Ereylin,” replied Chukk. “Have you seen her?”

“Right here!” came the cheerful hobbit voice from behind Nightmagic as Erey slipped out into view.

“Why weren’t you with your group, Erey?” Wicked asked, a slight frown creasing his forehead.

“Good question,” added Sullo looking at Erey.

“We were worried sick about you!” added Miazine.

“Wellll….” she started out, voice dropping a bit. “I was hungry. And… I saw a blackberry bush but it didn’t have much on it but there was another bush nearby and then another,” she held up fingers dark with berry stains.

“I started looking for you all, but didn’t know where you went. Then after a bit I didn’t know where I was. I was afraid to holler for you and good thing I didn’t because as I came over a hilltop, there they were! The giants saw me before I saw them and the race was on. After that,” the hobbit minstrel shrugged, “it didn’t matter if I screamed or not, so I did. I’m sorry. But boy am I glad I found you all!”

“You stay with the group and no wandering off for berries or pies,” Wicked warned as Ereylin bowed her head and nodded.

“I will. Promise,” she stuck a hand in her pocket and fished out a handful of blackberries.

“Berries?” she chirped cheerfully. With a sigh, Wicked shook his head and turned towards Sullo and Chukk.

“I suggest we stay together going forward,” Wicked said softly while looking around. “I doubt Bilwise got near the giants and so far all the clues have been between here and the shore.”

Sullo nodded, “Yes, I agree. And, with more of us we can make sure we don’t miss anything.”

“Let’s take a short break to tend any wounds and,” he paused, glancing at Ereylin, “have an energy snack. Ours was interrupted.”

Ereylin grinned sheepishly and shrugged as she sat down and pulled another berry out of her pocket and popped it into her mouth.


_________________
Part-time treasure hunter, playwright/director wannabe and head over heels in love with her handsome husband, Tamoro.

Other active games: ESO (Tearna, T'nar, Tealan, etc.)
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