All characters [except the dog of Thingol] property Tolkien estate, all locations property of the Tolkien estate, all mispronounced or misspelled elvish words and names property of the Tolkien estate, all mythology and world history property Tolkien estate, my a$$ if their lawyers take an interest property of the Tolkien estate.
Standard disclaimer in my profile, please read it before you bug me. i'm crusty and sometimes pee on flowers, but do appreciate spelling/grammar corrections.
i will not tell you anything about the dog of Thingol that you cannot read in the storeeeeeeee... :P
well, ok, maybe just a little: see my brief - "What Is The Dog?"
my text editor will not allow the carat to remain above the U in `Hu`. if you know the HTML, and can share it with me, i will repair it.
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Hu, dog of Thingol 1
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i am the dog of Thingol...
i am not the Hound, the mighty hound Huan: great with honor and achievement, beloved and welcomed in all hearts and at all occasions.
i am banned from the tale fires by dark looks, from the kitchens by swift kicks, from the great hall by the unbearable splendor and my own gnawing shame. i dwell as a thinly tolerated shadow in the realm of Elu Thingol and the great spirit Melian, by their grace and forbearance; for the elves love not such things even as cast by their kindred.
i walk on two legs, as all the Eldar and even Edain, but unloved among distant kin and a king who needs me not, my miserable heart crawls on four; a dog, the dog of Thingol.
i am serving in hope of redemption for crimes I know not: damaged, alone, unknown; without home on this side of or hope beyond the sea.
Hu Thingol...
_._._._
Temperatures in the great woods have been high, in the thickest growth near the center of Thingol's domain there is today little movement of air; since dawn there has been no soothing breeze, and tempers are rising to match the unseasonal heat. Near the stables, built to shelter the hunting mounts of the nobility, the forest had been coaxed back to create wide meadows, these grassy glades now shine brightly and radiate back the sun's warmth; horses wander free in the open spaces, nearly invisible in the dappled shade at the edge of tree cover; clover blossoms stretch towards the sun and among them weary butterflies try, and fail, to coax a breeze to rise. All is hot and slow, all is still and quiet.
'hu!'
An elf shouts as he strides through the stables of king Elu Thingol. The call rings loud through the dusty air, a voice of power and confident authority. He passes through the building quickly, glancing from side to side but not pausing to search the empty stalls. He knows that if the dog had heard, the dog would have responded; he moves out to search behind the stables in the half-walled wooden hay shed.
'HU!'
The volume of the call increases, and a powerful kick upon the half-door thrusts it back on its hinges against the wall. White-winged moths take flight from gaps in the hay shed wall, leaving the stifling shade for the open green of the meadows. Dust, leaping from every wooden surface, sparkles as it vibrates into the air. Not far from the door one who is sleeping wakes with a start, sitting suddenly upright in a drift of straw; it is the dog of Thingol, pushing straw and hair from its face, awaiting the clarity of full consciousness. Any delay is too long for the warden, used to having ever eager young woodelves and quick-stepping hunters under his command - and the usually obedient dog. With a single swift stride he reaches the still dazed sleeper and pulls the unresisting figure roughly to its feet.
Hu does not react, but looks at the warden with a steady gaze - which halts at his chest and will not rise to meet his eyes. By straightening his arms suddenly and with force, the warden thrusts the body of the slightly smaller elf against the wall and steps in close, dominating, threatening. The dog cringes for a moment, watching the wardens chest rise and fall with his breathing, looking for some warning of what is to follow, finally daring a glance towards his face as he leans in and does not strike. Cautiously the dog relaxes; easing shoulders back and spine straight. After a moments regard, their faces scant inches apart, the dog nods slightly to the warden, yet again refusing to meet his eyes.
Noticing this passive effort to avoid his gaze, the warden suppresses a smirk, hoping to preserve his fell dignity. Instead of a harmless display of his anger and disgust, he demonstrates his mood in force by raising an empty hand, quick as a bowshot, and striking the dog across the face; faster and harder than any mortal hand could have done.
`Dog, you will in future be found when you are called.` Hu nods cautiously, but the warden does not disengage, instead placing his hand on the wall and leaning down. `The king will ride to hunt this night, prepare your part, we will be many days on the trail.`
Hu understands the command, and nods slightly in assent; but the warden does not wait for any sign once he has finished speaking, turning quickly and departing with smooth, silent speed. He has other orders to give, and arrangements to make; the king and noble hunters will be afield for many days. By the time the dog reaches a trembling hand up to feel the heat rising in its cheek and looks up to the door with tear filled eyes, the warden has gone.
The warden's brief presence has left the tart odor of summer wine and the delicate scents of sauces for leaf and meat in the air. Hu's hands now cover the face, but the deep breaths of barely audible sobs are bringing the tantalizing smells deeper in until the hunger they challenge cannot be denied. Crossing the shed, away from the door towards the sunlit meadow, hu climbs a stack of hay bundles and slips over the half-wall, dropping down into the shade and breaking into a run - into the sheltering forest.
