On a windswept field north of Mirkwood, two spruces stood swaying in the gale. That was not particularly noteworthy, as such things rarely are, until a prodigious beard sprouted from each.
-Do you see anything?
-No, do you?
-No. Let's continue.
-How long do you think it will be until we reach forests again?
-Not long. Less than a day if the map is correct.
-About time. I sure have had enough of this environmental outfit.
-A strange comment, coming from the person who invented it.
-Yes, while they are the latest in camouflage and style, they are seriously underdeveloped when it comes to comfort. Grrr, I have a branch pointing its pointy end at my lower back…can't ever reach it!
-It must be a special branch since you are a spy, hehehe. The secret service of the branch…but not so serving in your case.
-Yes yes, very funny. Look, there's a ridge that seems to lead to the mountains. We can follow that for a while and use its cover.
Runar and Halvdan were now in the desolate area north of Mirkwood. They had long since passed the edge of the great forest and the landscape was steadily becoming more rugged. Plains and small woods turned into ridges and hills, with bushes and shrubberies taking shelter behind occasional rocks and cliffs. It was a windswept and cold area, almost deserted. The Northern Road went through this area, following the northern border of Mirkwood and crossing the more flat lowlands. Since the Orcs of the Misty Mountains, usually known just as the goblins, captured Durins Halls few found any reason to use the road at all, except for scouts and spies or border guards. Further north, thick woods covered the feet of the Grey Mountains.
As the more perceptive of the readers had already noticed, the protagonists had decided to utilize the better part of valor – discretion – in order to study the goblins from a safer perspective in order to be able to approach them with the most feasible diplomatic suggestion possible. An added bonus would be not having to end up as goblin dinner. Crossing the open areas in a clever, but less comfortable, disguise as trees was the first part. After reaching the highland forests they decided to stay among the trees during the rest of the journey to Durins Halls. There was however another reason too. Winter was approaching and the Grey Mountains would soon be more like the White Mountains along with the rest of the countryside. Being in the open was not the ideal way to spend the days.
The dwarfs were actually a quite inventive people. This is something foreigners seemingly had trouble grasping. The crucial thing was that the dwarfs used their inventiveness to pursue their own very specific goals. They had little interest in gardening, and their shipbuilding was virtually non-existent beyond river boats used in their trade with Dale. But when it came to the mountainous areas of science, they shone! Mining, smithing, construction…masonry, brewing and of course: skiing.
Skiing had been invented, or rather started, by two cousins of the Fjällskägg clan. The dwarf Norski is believed to have manufactured the first pair of skis. He was so deep into the skiing business (resisting the word fanatic) that it was more like a philosophy of life for him. His vision was that all major land transporting could take place during winter, using skis under the carriages instead of wheels and specially groomed tracks for superior speed. Norski called his philosophy "the Northern Way" as in "the Northern Way of Life". It was usually shortened to "Norway" in daily speech. Norski became the major manufacturer of skis but competed fiercely with the other story-relevant Fjällskägg cousin: Sven. Sven came up with the idea of adding poles to propel the skier forward. Sven founded the company "Svens skis" usually shortened to "Svensk" in daily speech. Svens and Norskis ancestors carried on the proud traditions of ski-making as well as bickering about which manufacturer was the superior.
Runar and Halvdan had been outfitted with the latest in dwarf winter equipment, sponsored by both Norway and Svensk. This included white cloaks for camouflage, climbing shoes and experimental ski bindings. They were experimental in the way that they allowed the skier to travel effectively both on flat ground and downhill. Runar and Halvdan had decided that entire skis and poles would be too cumbersome to take with them, and it would also look ridiculous during summer to carry that kind of gear. Instead they would make their own, using their axes and other travel tools (a dwarfs typical camping equipment is usually equal to about half of a human workshop) and the abundant trees that grew in most snowy places in Middle Earth. This was also what they did, and soon they had two pairs of rough-looking but quite effective skis and poles.
As Runar and Halvdan worked their way through the rugged highland of Ered Mithrin the autumn showed its true face. In other words, it started to rain.
