In An Age Before – Part 284
In the morn of 14 Lothron, Helluin and Kallfelak safely forded the Forest River. It ran shallow at the ford and fifteen fathoms in breadth, chill from snowmelt in the Ered Mithrin, but no worse. Of the Dragon in 'Anshâkalathuk there was no sign. The land was at peace and they marked birds and small animals going about their business unwary.
'Round mid-morning they espied a homestead set back in the forest, but no smoke rose from its chimney and the shake shingled roof had started to fall in. Weeds grew thick and no footprints led down the path to the low fieldstone wall encircling the yard. The gate was off its hinges. Whoe'er had dwelt there had fled, doubtlessly when the Dragon had come a couple decades aforetime.
On the 15th they passed Zudrâathuk and on the 16th 'Urdazhâr whither Dragons had made their abodes in 2577 and 2582. The lands continued to be peaceful as the Dragons slept, but none on two legs suffered to live 'nigh. The morning of 16 Lothron dawned with hazy sunlight. During the afternoon, clouds blew in from the south to cover the sky in an increasingly dense o'ercast that promised rain. That night, Helluin and Kallfelak set their camp 'neath the eaves of the forest in hope of shelter. 'Round midnight, they began to hear the pitter-patter of raindrops in the leaves o'erhead. The rain grew heavier as the hours of darkness passed 'til by morning, a steady, drenching downpour was in progress.
"This is a day for deep halls and roaring fires," Kallfelak said as he looked darkly upon the morn beyond the eaves of Mirkwood. The horses seemed to agree, for they had turned their backs on the open land and showed no eagerness to be away.
Helluin nodded to him. For mortals, comforts such as remaining warm and dry probably meant more, and then there was the chance of taking ill from poor weather or wet clothing and expiring. For her own part, the Noldo deemed it an excellent day for passing a Dragon's abode. Indeed, she could not have asked for better as the falling rain diminished sight, sound, and scent. She whistled a jaunty tune, much to the Dwarf's irritation.
"I reckon we are not three leagues west of Gunûdu Uzbad, and I should like to pass that place whilst the rain still falls," she said firmly. "Indeed, the sooner, the better so that it shall lie well behind us by this nightfall. Let us be away."
As a concession to Kallfelak's grumpiness, Helluin agreed to ride within the border of the forest so far as they could. The horses seemed glad of this too and told her so.
I have ne'er aforetime been one for forests, what with their meager fodder and underbrush, Smoca intimated as if 'twas a revelation, but now I understand the purpose of their creation.
Thou think the forests created for the provision of horses with cover from inclement weather? Helluin asked. Smoca nodded 'aye' and Fola also nodded in agreement.
I lived all my life in the forest and understood not its purpose 'til today, Fola's right face said.
I ne'er thought about it, really, Fola's left face said, the purpose of the forest in growing itself seemed beyond me.
I had thought the forest grew for the benefit of birds, Helluin's winged charge said. The 'wonderful bird' had been the only one to welcome the rain, having flown high up in the branches o'ernight to enjoy a long shower.
Helluin nodded and for their benefit said, I always thought a forest akin to a herd of olvar, growing together for safety's sake lest they be felled by a woodsman, struck by lightning, or lashed by winds from all sides whilst standing alone.
A herd of trees? asked the bird.
Aye, Helluin said, and upon a time they walked as a herd and had their own treeherds.
The horses lapsed into silence for a while to give thought to her words. They continued to ride through the morn and after a couple hours detected a foul smell, most akin to a festering wound. Smoca and Fola grew nervous, shaking their heads and flattening their ears. Helluin cast her glance to the north and Kallfelak followed her gaze.
"Aye," he said grimly, "we are come 'nigh due south of Gunûdu Uzbad wherein lurks the Dragon Biraikhgirul-Uslukh. Faintly we smell his stench, even from 'nigh nine leagues away."
"He doth certainly live up to his name," Helluin replied, thinking repulsive creature.
Like the insects straying from the Midgewater Marshes, the Dragon stench stayed with them for several leagues and they hastened their pace so much as the forest would allow, the sooner to be free of it. Despite the prevailing southerly winds, the smell seemed to roll downhill from the highlands to the low and only distance allowed them to escape it. All rejoiced when they finally breathed fresh air again.
The rain ceased at nightfall, the clouds failed, the sky cleared revealing the stars, and the weather remained fair thereafter. The Dragon stench remained absent, despite that the wind had shifted and came now from the north. The company returned to riding in the open lands beyond the forest and increased their pace to twelve leagues a day in deference to Fola's shorter legs.
During that day's ride, Helluin had continued contemplating the Dragons and how to end their threat. Her friends the Naugrim had already suffered much with the coming of Durin's Bane, the understanding of which still confounded the Wise, and she was loath to allow further threats against them to go unchecked.
But what can be done to triumph o'er a Dragon, she wondered. Only with great effort were they slain in the Elder Days. Confronting them directly at once sets one at a disadvantage for of old they were versed in sorcery, to petrify the body and break the will, and they reveled in bringing despair to their foes. Sharp of sight and scent they were and they heard even the tread of mice. Sharp too were their words, as sharp as their teeth.
King Azaghâl drove Glaurung from the field with a dagger in the belly and Túrin later slew Glaurung with a thrust of Anglachél from below. I wish I had thought to ask the Eorlingas the tale of King Fram's slaying of Scatha, but perhaps Thrór's people know that lore too. Still, I deem such assaults chancy and dependant on circumstances of the landscape like the defile of Cabed-en-Aras on the river Teiglin.
So what foe threatens a Dragon? The most fell of creatures were e'er their allies, Balrogs, Vampires, Werewolves, and Tor…all of them were Morgoth's servants together. During the War of Wrath, Eärendil slew Ancalagon, but I doubt he is free to answer my call now that the world is changed. Perhaps Gwaihir and his kin could be of assistance.
Helluin pondered this possibility, but set the idea aside to review the Dragons' nature.
Dragons are greedy, malicious, jealous, and domineering. So how do they suffer each other on the Withered Heath? Do they fester in scheming and resentment as do the Yrch? Are they so few that they come seldom into contact, one with another? Do they have a hierarchy like a kingdom whence some have fled to seek their fortunes beyond the borders? Do Dragons oft compete with other Dragons? Do they vie for dominance or territory, or for mates? But then there is the old adage, 'keep thy friends close and thine enemies closer lest the one become the other'. That usually proves true when several contest the same boon in a limited space.
For the rest of their journey, Helluin pondered these topics, churning them in her mind and trying to form a plan.
On 21 Lothron, Helluin and Kallfelak rode 'twixt the southern arms of the Lonely Mountain and came to the gates of Erebor. There they had great welcome from Durin's Folk and Kallfelak especially, for he had returned from his king's errand with the wisdom of the Brown Wizard, and in the first welcome surprise in years, their ancient ally the Mórgolodh. Straightaway, they were brought before King Thrór, his brother Prince Grór, and a council of advisors.
Helluin was immediately struck by the king's youth. He was then forty-seven years of age and the kingship had been thrust upon him by ill fate long ere he would have normally taken the throne well into his second century of life. Prince Grór was twelve years his junior and scarcely deemed an adult.
Erebor, which Helluin had ne'er entered aforetime, reminded her of Khazad-dûm and there was no mystery in that. It had been delved by folk of the same house, the Longbeards. 'Twas also a far newer and smaller realm. Whilst Khazad-dûm had measured fifteen leagues from west to east as it passed 'neath Caradhras, Celebdil, and Fanuidhol, Erebor was a solitary mountain with a base measuring some three leagues in diameter. Khazad-dûm had been discovered by Durin the Deathless in the starlit Years of the Trees and had been inhabited for o'er ten thousand years. Erebor was first established as a mining and trading outpost of Khazad-dûm at some point in the Second Age.
Still, Erebor was grand, with deep delved mines, broad avenues, grand galleries, and lofty halls hewn from the native stone of the mountain. It contained all the functions and structures of a major city, save that the Dwarves cultivated no crops nor husbanded livestock. For their food, they traded with the local Northmen and others, even so far away as Dorwinion. Helluin thought the Kingdom under the Mountain a better-organized miniature of Moria, better planned and less sprawling, for it had been built o'er far less time and in accordance with a centralized plan. At least t'would not take days to simply traverse from one end to the other, she thought.
At their arrival, Helluin and Kallfelak walked through the main level behind the front gates.
"We are to be conveyed to Thráin's Hall wherein the king's throne is set, and where the ruler and his council hold court for the governance of the city," Kallfelak told Helluin as they trod a broad avenue through a vast and lofty space. "King Thrór must hear my tidings."
Along the way, they saw the administrative areas including the grand offices of the bureaucracy, the trade and craft guild houses, the courts of law, libraries of lore, academies geomancy and pyromantic mineralogy, and other municipal services 'neath the patronage of the king. There too were the royal residence and the guesthouses with accommodations for visiting dignitaries. 'Nigh the gate stood the stables where Smoca and Fola were attended, the gate guards' barracks, mess halls, armories, and some public taverns and inns. A sizeable population roamed the avenues and ways, going about upon their business, and though the city could hold far more souls, Helluin saw none idle, which is typical of the Gonnhirrim, for an idle hand creates 'naught and turns no profit, she thought.
As they marched toward Thráin's Hall, named for Thráin I who had repopulated the mountain for a time in 1999, Helluin garnered many looks of curiosity. She doubted many Elves had e'er entered this realm, but she was known from of old. She was by far the tallest person under the mountain, and as she strode beside Kallfelak in her black armor, antique in style and obviously of Dwarf make and with the mithril Ring at her waist, she was unmistakable. In addition to her singular appearance and reputation though, there was the magnificent, eagle-sized bird of many glittering colors that clung to her left pauldron and stared back at the passersby as if appraising their edibility.
Tidings of their arrival had come to the king, and after bowing to His Majesty, King Thrór greeted them with honorable words.
"Noble Kallfelak, we welcome thee home with thanksgiving and yearn to hear thy rede."
Kallfelak bowed again to Thrór and said, "My king, I have heard the counsel of the Wizard Radagast and as we had hoped, he possessed much lore. Helluin Mórgolodh answered his summons and we met at his home at Rhosgobel."
Thrór then turned to the Noldo and said, "We give thanks for thy coming, O friend of Durin's Folk and ally of the Ages. Thou honor us with thy presence. Be welcome in the realm of Erebor and enjoy our hospitality."
Helluin bowed deeply to the throne and replied, "I thank thee for thy generous welcome and am honored to enjoy the hospitality of thy noble realm, King Thrór. I offer my sorrow for the fall of thy father and brother, a great loss to thy family and the kingdom. To honor them and the long friendship of Durin's Folk, I shall provide such aid as I can."
The king dipped his head to the Noldo in thanks for her words of sympathy. The sorrow still lived in his heart, along with the desire to avenge King Dáin and his brother Frór. Yet Thrór did not allow those heated feelings to possess him, just though they were. The first step in defeating the Dragons, the first step in securing the safety of his people, was knowledge, and for that, he desired to hear what Kallfelak had learnt from the Brown Wizard.
"We would hear the wisdom of the Wizard Radagast," Thrór said. "Speak his counsel to us, noble Kallfelak." Prince Grór and the councilors nodded and leant forward in their chairs, eager to hearken to his words.
Now Kallfelak spoke in detail of his visit to Rhosgobel and drew many astonished looks from his listeners. Had the subject been 'naught but old socks, still he would have enjoyed their full attention, so strange and outlandish were the behavior of the Wizard and the nature of his home. Though many of his descriptions defied believability, Helluin stood at his side nodding in confirmation of the details. For further proof, there was the 'most wonderful bird', hatched from the eggs upon which Radagast had sat, and the two-faced pony whose rumor had preceded them to the throne room. They stared at the bird in awe and promised themselves a trip to the stables to see this peculiar steed.
The Brown Wizard's descriptions of the Withered Heath and its Dragons were received in the silence of loathing and simmering hatred, and were questioned not at all. A scribe wrote down each detail, for they had lost soldiers whilst seeking to learn this very lore themselves. When Kallfelak fell silent, the king and the council sat in thought, digesting what they had heard. A few questions were asked and answered, after which the council's attention turned to the Noldo.
"Helluin Mórgolodh, if thou hast 'aught further to add, I pray thee speak it," Thrór finally said, "for all respect thy prowess and 'tis known that thou faced Dragons in the Elder Days."
Helluin dipped her head to the king, but could not claim to have fought Dragons in Beleriand.
"O King, though I fought in several battles during the First Age, I faced Yrch, Tor, and Men rather than Dragons. Not 'til the Dagor Bragollach in 455 were Dragons seen and then only one, Glaurung, the first Urulókë. In 477, he appeared again in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. As thou may know, 'twas one of thine own that drove him hence, and that came to pass in the east of Beleriand, whilst I fought in the west with the Host of Gondolin.
'Twas not 'til the fall of the Hidden City in 510 that we saw more than a single Dragon in battle. E'er aforetime we had deemed them rare and though Morgoth unleashed only a dozen, they were instrumental in breaking the city's gates, discomfiting the defense, and undermining the king's tower with their fire. They were a terrifying revelation. But two of the twelve were slain with arrows shot by warriors of Lord Duilin's House of the Swallow and Lord Egalmoth's House of the Heavenly Arch. I reckon 'twas probably luck, for a Dragon is a large target and the more so when flightless and close to the city's walls, yet their armor turned many arrows ere they fell.
Later we learnt that Morgoth had still not revealed all of his creatures, for not two score years after, his winged Dragons first appeared during the War of Wrath, and the greatest of them, Ancalagon was by then already centuries old. Great was our dismay for they were many, yet when pitted against the Host of Valinor, they were worsted. How this came to pass, I am not sure, for like the other Exiles, I played no part in that war. In the aftermath, we deemed them all destroyed. Alas, 'twas not so and no few must have escaped the Ruin of Beleriand, for those known in these latter days are of several types." Helluin sighed and fell silent.
King Thrór and his council remained silent at first as well. If they were disappointed to discover that Helluin had ne'er faced a Dragon, they gave no clue. In truth, they had few choices and no room to complain. They knew none amongst the living of any race who had defeated one of the great Wyrms. In the last two Ages, they knew of only one who had, King Fram, whose folk were not friends and certainly not allies to be called upon. The Mórgolodh was the greatest living warrior they knew and their best chance to preserve themselves against the threat of the Withered Heath.
"Hast thou any inspirations for combating such fell creatures?" the king asked.
For a while, the Noldo remained silent, but finally a grin shaped her lips and she said, "Aye, I have the inkling of a plan, O King, but t'will be dirty business."
Though Kallfelak, Prince Grór, and the counselors looked confused, Thrór had a glint in his eye and he chuckled.
"We passed the fallen mansions on our way to Erebor, King Thrór, but I would hear of the Dragons that have occupied them, for I would know my enemies," Helluin said.
Thereafter, the group spoke of each Dragon and what they could recall of it, the nature of its prowess and any other traits they had marked.
"Squatting now in 'Anshâkalathuk is the Long-wyrm 'Urmuakhshâm¹, which crawls upon the ground like a snake," recited a counselor. ¹('Urmuakhshâm, Worm of Worry/Trouble = 'urmu(worm of) + akhshâm(worry) Khuzdul)
"It hath legs, but they are so short that they barely reach the ground," said another. "It drives its coils forward with great strength and can cover ground at speed with undulating motions from side to side. It crushed many of our warriors during its attack."
"The Long-wyrm measured 'nigh thirty fathoms nose to tail-tip in 2570 and may have grown greater since. After nineteen years, we reckon it sleeps deeply and neither sound nor hint of movement has been marked at 'Anshâkalathuk," added the first.
"Khabbkurdu¹ is a young, wingless Fire-drake that has slept in Zudrâathuk since 2577. 'Twas then eighteen fathoms in length and moved swiftly on strong legs," Prince Grór said. ¹(Khabbkurdu, Furnace Heart = khabb(furnace) + kurdu(heart) Khuzdul)
"An occasional faint puff of smoke is seen from the High Mines, but no sighting of the Dragon has been reported since it settled there," the second counselor added.
To this, Helluin nodded, wondering if the Dragon woke at times or if 'twas 'naught but some small fires accidentally kindled by its breath during dreams.
"In 2582, Urdazhâr was taken by the winged Cold-drake Narag-Bagd¹," Kallfelak said. "'Tis a strong flier some twenty-five fathoms in length. The wind of its wings can knock an armored warrior off his feet or whip up a cloud of dust to conceal its movements and confuse attackers." ¹(Narag-Bagd, Black Wind = narag(black) + bagd(wind) Khuzdul)
"Narag-Bagd has slept peacefully since shortly after occupying Urdazhâr," the first counselor said, "and 'naught has been seen or heard of the Dragon there for seven years."
"Which leaves only the Cold-drake Biraikhgirul-Uslukh that dwells uneasy in Gunûdu Uzbad," said King Thrór, "the slayer of my kin and the thief of my treasure."
"During its attack, it sprayed a fetid musk from its anal glands as if it were a great skunk," said the first counselor, "and deprived thereby of breath, some of our defenders choked to death on its vapors. That most foul creature measures twenty fathoms and its body is thick. Though its legs are stout and somewhat short, the creature advanced quickly on the ground."
"We reckon that one is still awake, for at times we hear bellows and the sounds of crashing as it breaks walls to form itself a treasure chamber in which to sleep," Prince Grór added.
"Then that one we shall leave 'til last," Helluin said. "I thank ye for sharing your lore. I pray ye grant me now some time to refine my plans and then I would have your counsel ere I seek to visit retribution upon these creatures."
The king and his counselors nodded to her in agreement, for none expected a battle plan to be spoken full-wrought in so short a time as they had spent in council that day. Thrór assigned a chamberlain to show Helluin to guest quarters in the royal residence and she and her 'wonderful bird' took their leave of the throne.
O'er the following week, Helluin reviewed what had been spoken and her own lore regarding Dragons. She did indeed refine her plan and determined to pit Dragon against Dragon 'til only the wakeful Biraikhgirul-Uslukh remained. The Noldo deemed it possible that the execution of her scheme would take long enough that the Reeking Dragon would be asleep ere his doom found him several years hence.
During that time, Helluin was swiftly reminded of another characteristic of Dwarvish hospitality. Along with the comfortable accommodations and the constant buzz of activity, there were the meals. She had been well acquainted with the feasting in Khazad-dûm and should have expected no difference in Erebor. Ere long, she was glutted thrice daily. Her 'most wonderful bird' was o'erjoyed to be offered so much food and grew accordingly. By the time the Noldo finally called for an audience before King Thrór and his council, it had achieved the size of an adult condor and was too large to perch for long on Helluin's shoulder. 'Twas then 30 Lothron.
Now when the Noldo appeared again before the throne in Thráin's Hall, all of the counselors gaped as the bird swooped in behind her to land upon a railing on one side of the dais. There it perched, eyeing any movement and keeping watch o'er the council.
"I should swear before Mahal that thy bird is increased, Helluin," King Thrór remarked.
"'Tis so indeed, O king, and continues to eat and grow at a prodigious pace," Helluin replied.
"Know thou 'aught of what size it may attain?" Prince Grór asked.
"Nay, I do not, for its very existence was a revelation to me. Neither in Middle Earth, nor in Aman have I encountered its kind aforetime," Helluin said. "I know only that 'tis one of four. It hatched at Rhosgobel upon 20 Gwirith and now counts forty days of life."
The Naugrim shook their heads in amazement. Swift was the growth of young birds, as witnessed by the increase in size of the hatchlings amongst the local ravens, yet none had grown so large by any age. Indeed, the only flying creatures larger were the Great Eagles and the winged Dragons. The king shook them from their distraction by the bird, for he was eager to hear Helluin's plan.
"Hast thou refined thy plans for the Dragons, Helluin?" Thrór asked, and at her nod 'aye', he said, "Then pray share with us thine inspiration, O ally of the Ages."
"Of old the Dragons were potent weapons of Morgoth. Glaurung commanded legions of Orcs in East Beleriand during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and even Balrogs marched in his following. Yet Aiwendil determined that unlike the first Dragons, those of the Withered Heath partake not of the fell and immortal spirits that animated Morgoth's creations in the First Age. Those arrayed against ye now are the mortal offspring of that lineage, great creatures with natural weapons and native intelligence, but they are no more than that. They may be cunning and understand tongues, but I wager they cannot cast the same enchantments as their ancestors once did. Though mighty still, they are diminished.
Now 'tis known that Dragons are blessed with sharp senses of sight, hearing, and scent. With these, they perceive the presence of foes and may count even the theft of a trinket. In waking, little takes them at unawares, but in sleep, perhaps they can be fooled.
By nature, they are jealous, imperious, and suffer no challengers. Such is the legacy of those whose kind were once commanders of legions. Whether they subscribe to a hierarchy upon the Withered Heath, I know not, but those who have left seem to be their own masters.
I seek to set them against each other, and by trickery and silence afoot, incite them through the theft of their treasure to join in combat against others of their kind. I shall first set the Long-wyrm 'Urmuakhshâm against the wingless Fire-drake Khabbkurdu, for they are furthest removed from Erebor and likely to be the most soundly asleep."
Now the eyes of the Dwarves had lit with interest and lust of vengeance as Helluin had spoken, but they had many questions, for they wagered Helluin would not simply appear to a Dragon and goad it to fight another.
"How shalt thou essay to accomplish so audacious a task, Helluin? Thou shalt find little cooperation from these monsters," a counselor said. The others nodded in agreement, curious to learn how the Noldo sought to proceed.
"To ignite the wrath of these creatures is simple. I must give them cause and so I shall steal from their hoards," she claimed. At the appalled looks on the Dwarves' faces, she spoke to placate them. "I shall not simply walk in as a brazen thief and make off with their gold and gems. With stealth and by fooling their sense of smell, I reckon I can walk freely into their lairs and make off with whatsoe'er valuables I deem sufficient to provoke their rage. Once outside their lair, I shall lead them by scent to the lair of another Dragon whither I shall deposit the stolen treasure. That second Dragon shall also be ignorant of my actions because I shall not incite its wakefulness. Yet sooner or later, each Dragon shall be awakened by the theft or the scent of another, a rival, and they shall each perceive the disparities in their hoards."
There followed some protests and arguments with many points made about the possibility of bringing down the wrath of the Dragons on the Dwarves whose treasure the Dragons had stolen in the first place. The Dwarves' desire to recover their gold and gems would be the Dragons' first suspicion, but Helluin dismissed that possibility.
"There shall be no scent of Dwarves associated with the thefts, for no Dwarves shall be involved and the nearest shall be here in Erebor, two hundred fifty miles away," she said. "I shall undertake this campaign alone."
"And how shalt thou contrive to fool the nose of a Dragon?" asked Thrór.
"Ahhh," explained the Noldo, "amongst the Men who hunt beasts on the open plains there is the practice of disguising their scent using the dung of the aurochs, horse, or deer so that they may approach within a spear cast. Unlike their prey, wild, wakeful, and wary, my prey sleeps and keeps no watch, and so I need not walk amidst a herd of horses to hide the sight of me. I need only maintain my stealth and disguise my scent sufficiently that they do not think, Elf, Dwarf, or Man. 'Tis simple, truly."
The Dwarves looked at her with varying expressions, some in admiration of her strategy, some deeming her mad. Thrór though eyed her with a grin and said, "I can imagine this plan working. The simplicity is novel and it twists their own gifts and nature against them. The Dragons shall ne'er expect it. I wish I had bethought it myself. Thou hast my thanks and blessing to precede, Helluin. How may we aid thee?"
"I shall require several sacks whence scents cannot seep. These need not be large. I reckon the size of a pillowcase shall suffice. Some linen rags would also be helpful, to pad such stolen objects of metal that they not clank one against another, and finally, some time to bake waybread, for the scent of meat I shall not chance to carry into a Dragon's lair."
To these requests, the Dwarves readily agreed. They were growing enthusiastic now, sensing the possibility of finally being rid of the Dragons, even if it took several years. In truth, they had few other options save a massive frontal assault in which many would die. So they set their craftsmen and tailors to the tasks of producing the sacks and the linen. Helluin spent some time baking the Elvish waybread, wrapping the cakes in squares of linen instead of the mallorn leaves which could not be had save in Lothlórien far away, and after another fortnight, her preparations were achieved.
The sacks alone were a wonder of Dwarvish craft, so tightly woven of fine brass wire that when the Noldo set one o'er her head, she could not even smell the smoke of a smoldering torch held before her face. 'Twas then mid-Nórui.
After her preparations were completed and she was ready to set out, Helluin took counsel with the 'most wonderful bird'.
Upon the morrow, I shall take my leave, she said, and the creature bobbed its head having expected this.
Thou shalt launch thy plan to destroy the Dragons, it said, and I shall join thee, for I would not miss so impressive a feast.
Of course not, the Noldo agreed, having long since given up the notion of constraining the bird or reasoning with it. I am sure thou shalt be well fed. I would only beg thee be patient and allow the Dragons to slay each other first.
I am not opposed to having them save me the labor, the bird said, for I have little interest in the hunt when compared with the banquet.
The Noldo nodded, saying, Then pray remain unseen, unheard, and unsmelt and all shall be well.
The bird bobbed its head in agreement, and Helluin observed that, With thy love of food, thou art well suited to life in a Dwarvish realm. Indeed, so far we have not yet joined in a proper feast of celebration. Should we succeed in slaying a Dragon, perhaps one shall be held. They are truly impressive.
Then I shall look forward to such a celebration, Helluin. They eat well here in Erebor and have earnt my esteem. I could indeed be happy amongst folk who understand the importance of dining well and in abundance.
Helluin nodded, thinking that, this bird should have been born a Dwarf.
To Be Continued