Taren the dwarf had been sitting in the prayer position for over half and hour. His back ached and he was pretty sure both his legs were asleep, but he knew he couldn't find out for sure until he stood up on account of his height. When he had finally finished his prayer ceremony to Gûntera, "king of the dwarven gods", he stood up and paced about the small room letting his legs regain sensitivity. He had just picked up his pick-axe and satchel, when a blinding light and a loud bang like a thunder clap erupted from behind him. In front of him, stood a white-robed figure with a long beard and a curiously carved staff. In a deep and commanding voice, the figure spoke solemnly,
"Greetings Taren, son of Garen, son of Feor, lord over the mountain city of Galfni in the Beor mountains. My name is Gandalf, and I need your help."
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Being a thief was actually pretty easy when you were an elf. Even a rebel elf who had been stripped of your immortality still retained the famous "lightness on their feet" present in all elves this side of the Undying Lands. Being a rebel elf thief in Middle Earth was even easier. So many people feared elves after the Great War of The Ring, that even if you did get caught, you could often-times escape from capture on reputation alone. That was why Ronan found himself inside the comfortable, if not cramped, hole of a Hobbit. He didn't actually see anything that was valuable enough to take stealthily, so he settled for some silver spoons. As he exited the dining room, he saw a white light accompanied by a deafening roar right in front of him. A man stood, hooded and cloaked with what was obviously a wizards' staff. Ronan was actually quite nervous upon seeing the wizard, and wondered if a higher authority had come to bring him to justice. But the wizard spoke in the voice of an old man and said,
"Ronan, son of Elrond, king of the elves in Rivendell, I am called Gandalf, but you know me by the name, 'Mithrandir', and I need your help.
Just then, before Gandalf could say or do a thing more, a middle-aged Hobbit emerged and said,"Mr. Gandalf, sir!"
"Ah!" spoke the wizard, "it is a pleasure to see you again Samwise, I would take you along as well, yet you have a family and little Hobbits to protect now. There is no world that you can save now my friend, return to your slumber, and forget."
He waved his hand and the Hobbit straddled off down the hall he came from. Then, in another flash, both Gandalf and Ronan, disappeared.
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