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Chapter Twenty-Six
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SUMMARY: After spending a week working at the Palace, Bard is happy to see his Elf again, and they enjoy a small, private reunion. Queen Dilna and some other Dwarves show up at the Castle with some highly disturbing news, and asks for help. Bard begins to notice something about Rhian and Evan...
Letters arrive from Dale with the latest news!
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"My hopes for a relationship with her were wholly unreal, whereas my ongoing misery, and frustration, were an all-too-horrible reality. Was groundless, hopeless romantic obsession any way to waste the rest of my life?"
-Donna Tartt, The Goldfinch
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City of Dale, 28th of October, 2942 T.A.
The bells from the West Gate rang, and Bard looked up from his desk with a grin. Thranduil was returning from his Palace, after presiding over the Harvest Festival, and and his monthly meetings with his Council. He was only gone eight days this time, but still…
"He's here, lad." Percy smirked at him, from his desk.
"See you later, Pers. I'm taking a few hours off, and I don't want to be disturbed unless there's a fire, flood, or Orcs pounding at the door."
"Sure thing," the Steward waved his hand absently, not looking up from column of figures in front of him. "Go away and don't bug me, lad, or I'll make you add this up."
Bard winced in sympathy and quietly shut the door behind him.
He made his way through the Hall to the dais, and stood in the shade of the archways to wait for his Elf. When Thranduil rode into the Courtyard, Bard's heart leaped as he waved.
Thranduil's blue eyes met his (he still couldn't believe how well he could see them) and he hurried Naurmôr over to the King of Dale.
"Welcome home, My King." Bard met him halfway down the steps. "You picked a nice day for traveling."
"It was a pleasant ride, and the trees are always beautiful this time of year. In fact," the Elf took Bard's hand as they walked inside. "Let us go riding tomorrow, to enjoy the colors."
"Let's all go." Bard suggested. "I miss seeing the forest this time of year, and the children would love it."
"That is settled, then. How are the children?"
"Anxious to see you." Bard smirked, as they entered the corridor and walked to their room. "Problem is, they won't be done with school for another two hours…"
"Hmmm…" Thranduil put an arm around him and whispered in his ear, "That is a tragedy. How will we survive the wait?"
"Nothing comes to mind…" Bard shut the doors behind him, and locked them. "Maybe draughts? Stratagem? How about a game of cards? Hilda wants me to check my socks for holes before winter; you could help me with that, and we could do yours, while we're at it…"
"Be quiet, you foolish Bowman." Thranduil grabbed Bard's face and plundering his mouth. With a deep sigh, Bard leaned into the kiss and pulled their hips together.
Their kisses grew hard and urgent, and Bard moaned, as his arousal grew.
"I love you, Bard," Thranduil sucked on his earlobe.
"I love you, too," he breathed, straining against the Elf. "I missed you at night. I hate sleeping alone, now."
"I hate how empty my chambers are at the Palace. I need to make love to you. Please, Bard." The Elvenking begged. "It was all I could think about on the ride here."
"I was hoping you'd say that." The Bowman whispered. "We've got a few hours, so take me, love. Any way you want."
With a groan, Thranduil pushed him down on the bed and straddled him, as he covered his face with kisses.
"It might work better if our clothes are off."
"Mmmm…. So it would."
"Just don't rip anything, or we'll get yelled at. Hilda's noticed how often my smalls need mended."
The Elf laughed, ripped them anyway, and soon had them naked. Then he urged Bard up towards the headboard, where their bodies slid together, as the Elf whispered promises of filthy things in his ear.
"Mmmm…" Bard licked and nibbled on the tip of the Elvenking's ear, which had the desired effect, as Thranduil yelped with delight, as his hips strain against him. "So, you think you can fuck me till I scream? Prove it, Elf."
Thranduil reached for the oil and slicked his fingers. "Watch me, Bowman."
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"Ulmo's balls…" Bard collapsed against him at last, and buried his face into the crook of Thranduil's neck, and savored the last throbs of orgasm. "I know I say this a lot, but I can't believe how good it is with you, love. I just can't."
"I know, Meleth." Thranduil whispered back. "I love this… I love how we hold each other after, and make this our own world. Everything falls away, and nothing exists but us."
A sigh escaped Bard. He lifted his head and kissed his husband softly. "I'm glad I get to spend eternity with you. We belong to each other."
"We do," Thranduil kissed his ear.
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After they washed, they spent the next hour snuggling and talking with each other, until it was time to get up and get Tilda from school.
"Ada! You're back!" she cried with delight when they entered the classroom. "Hi, Da!"
"I am, Tithen Pen. What do you have there?"
Tilda showed them all the papers she had done that day, and after the Elvenking made sure she was properly bundled up to stave off the cooler October air, he picked her up, and they walked home, followed by their Guards.
Waiting on the dais of the Great Hall were four Dwarves: Dilna, Queen Under the Mountain, Dís, Ruler of the Blue Mountains, along with their escort, Bifur and Bofur.
After the rulers paid formal courtesy to each other, Tilda waved at them from her Ada's arms.
"Hi Queen Dilna!" Tilda waved. "How is Princess Alda?"
"Hello, Tilda! I'm glad you asked, dear. My granddaughter heard I was coming and gave me this to give to you." She pulled a letter out of her pocket and handed it to the girl.
"What do you say?" Bard reminded her.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Then she smiled and said hello to the rest of them.
"It's good to see you again, Lady Tilda, you've grown!" Bofur took off his hat and bowed.
"I'm eight now!" she grinned proudly.
"Is that right?" Bofur and his cousin grinned at the little girl.
"To what do we owe this honor?" Bard asked Dilna.
"Well, I hope you think it's an honor after I tell you the reason for my visit." Dilna grimaced. "I need to speak with you two and Lady Hilda right away, if I could."
"Of course." Bard said seriously. "She's in her office. Why don't we go the conference room?"
"I will get Tilda settled for her nap, and fetch Hilda, Bard." Thranduil said.
"Thanks." Bard kissed the top of Tilda's hair. "Time for your nap, Little Bean. You can visit with the Dwarves after we have our meeting, all right?"
"But –"
"No buts, love. Now go with Ada, and get yourself settled. Sigrid will be home in a minute and she can read to you."
"Okay," she sulked, but waved her hand. "Bye!"
"How is Tilda doing?" Dilna asked Bard.
"We keep a close eye on her. She's better with memory, but she gets a bit of extra help at school and at home. If she gets tired or overexcited, it gets worse, then she gets frustrated, which perpetuates the problem. She limps if she gets tired, but we haven't seen it in a while."
Dís sympathized. "Now that she feels stronger, I'll bet she's really fighting with you."
"That's exactly it, Your Majesty. It's easy for her to forget just how sick she was, but Thranduil and I…" he shrugged. "We're just thankful she's still with us."
Bard ushered the Dwarves inside and once they all settled around the table, the Queen wasted no time getting down to business.
"First of all, thanks for letting us know about the dead Ravens at Dimril Dale, Thranduil. We'll be taking your cousin's advice about training more birds right away."
"I sent those Ravens to the Blue Mountains," Dís said. "The messages were in code, but your cousin saved us a lot of trouble."
"I will pass along your thanks."
"Second and more important, we need to talk about problems with Bandits."
"You are correct, Your Majesty," Thranduil nodded. "I have increased the Guard at my borders and the nearby human villages, as a precaution."
"Oh, no titles, please," the Dwarrow waved a hand. "For our part, we've been watching Hope Field, between Erebor and Dale, Bard. I noticed you bought some guard dogs to guard the sheep. The big white ones?"
"I have. Thranduil told me about this breed, and we purchased some from a village near his Realm. These aren't like the black-and-white dogs, who herd the sheep. They guard all kinds of livestock and the farms, and are as frightening as Thangon if they need to be."
Dís looked down at the floor where Thangon was laying with his head between his paws. "Frightening?" She smiled at lifted her eyebrows."
"Don't be fooled," Bard smirked, as he shook his head. "Ask Dáin about those Dwarves who caused problems last winter. But about the Bandits, you're right. Word is spreading of Dale's prosperity, and the roads are going to become more dangerous. I also try to vet the people who want to move here – they need to have letters of introduction and we check them out."
"Glad to hear it. Now, we've got a real problem on our hands, and I need your help. These two," she gestured toward Bifur and Bofur, "led an escort for a party from the Iron Hills, and had ran into trouble."
"What do you mean?" The King of Dale asked.
"The party had stopped at an Inn along the way, only to find a certain… er… 'business' going on, if you get my drift…"
"You mean, brothels?" Bard made a face but looked resigned. "I'm afraid that's not unusual, really. It's against the law here, but I have no jurisdiction anywhere else. That would be the the business of the village, wouldn't it?"
"I agree, and we would normally just leave Men to themselves, but there's been a few... complications."
The Queen turned to Bofur, "Go ahead. Tell them what happened."
The Dwarf removed his hat and sighed. "While in the tavern, I spoke with a few of the townsfolk, and it seems this Inn had been taken over by a group of ruffians, who rode into town six months ago. The previous owner of the tavern was 'persuaded' to sell his business, under threat to himself and his family. These arseholes – pardon my Black Speech - have taken over the town, and the sheriffs have either been killed or fled with their families, and those who can't afford to leave have been terrorized."
"I see," Thranduil considered for a moment. "Should we arrange a joint task force to remove them? I would be happy to send as many troops as you need."
"Thank you, but after we brought the party to Erebor, Lord Dáin sent a battalion back to the village and we got rid of them. The battle was short, and those that put up any kind of a fight, were killed on the spot, and the ones who surrendered, were given a criminal's brand and their ears cut, before we chased them off."
"The Thieves' Mark." Bard nodded in approval. "Problem solved, then."
"No." Dilna shook her head sadly. "We really should have killed them all."
"Maybe not. If they go back to their friends, you sent a message, that Free Folk won't tolerate this."
"I wish you were right Bard, but it was only after we sent them packing that we discovered the worst of it."
"Which was?" Hilda leaned forward.
"We went into the houses and found these…workers." Bofur looked at them with a stricken face, "They were children, My Lords. Girls and boys, and some of them," he paused, "as young as Lady Tilda."
"WHAT?" Bard's eyes were like saucers. Everyone else around the table exploded in fury.
"Amarth faeg!" Thranduil, gasped. "That is despicable!"
"Those fucking bastards! I'd castrate every one of them myself." Percy was livid, but apologized after Hilda kicked him under the table. "Sorry."
"Oh, don't be." Dilna excused him. "You should have heard Dáin, when he found out about it. Now, Bifur and Bofur weren't about to leave them there, you understand, so the children, twenty-seven in all, were loaded up in the wagons and brought to Erebor. We're happy to help them, of course, but these bairns are frightened to death, and I think they'd feel better with their own kind, don't you think?"
Bard nodded grimly. "Hilda? This would fall under your jurisdiction."
"Do the children speak Westron?" the Seneschal asked the Dwarves.
"A few of the older ones do. They translate for the others."
"Good. I'll find a place to put them, don't you worry. They'll need some caregivers round the clock, and clothes and bedding. I'll look into it right away."
Dilna sighed in relief. "These bairns would respond better to a human, or even an Elf. Óin and his staff have been patient, but the wee ones are frightened out of their minds! Can't blame them really. In any case, Óin's specialty is injuries and war wounds. I think if we could have them examined by a female, and a Human at that, you could find out if any have been..." she gave them all a meaningful look, "...hurt."
Bard's stomach churned at that thought, and his toes curled inside his boots.
"We can have Elénaril and Hannah take care of that." Hilda turned to Bofur. "Where did these kids come from? What about their parents?"
"That's a good question," Bard said.
"Right now, these wee ones are too stressed to talk a lot, except their names, and even then, I doubt these were the names they were born with."
"Why do you say this?" Thranduil wondered.
"There's little chance their parents gave them all suggestive, Gondorian names. They have swarthy complexions, and the older ones speak with an accent. I believe they're either from Harad or Khand."
"But Harad is farther South than Dol Amroth!" Thranduil exclaimed. "This cannot be! How did these children get here?"
"Wait a minute; just… let me think a minute…" Bard steepled his hands against his mouth. "Percy, isn't the blacksmith's wife from that area?"
"She might be." Percy was searching his memory.
"Oh, you mean Adila?" Hilda asked. "I think so. Should we send for her?"
"Do that. A carriage from the Livery would get her here quick. And send Turamarth to track down Hannah, too. Tell them it's urgent."
"Sure thing." And Percy was off.
Bard turned back to Dilna. "Are the children settled in with you? At least for a few days?"
"As much as they can be. What do you want to do?"
"It will take time to get a building ready and for Hil to organize the furniture and such, but I want those children seen to. Tomorrow. Today would be better."
A few minutes later, Turamarth and Hannah showed up, followed by a worried-looking Rhian, her baby balanced on her hips
Evan and Alun heard the commotion and came out of their office to see what was going on.
"Did something happen to Da?" Rhian said.
"He's fine, love," Hilda came over to reassure her. "He's just out at the moment."
"You'll all find out anyway." Bard waved his arm. "Come on in and take a seat."
Elénaril came ten minutes later, eventually Adila was escorted into the room by Percy. The woman was petite in stature, with smooth brown skin and the biggest, darkest eyes Bard had ever seen. She wore gold jewelry in her ears, and a small gem in her nose and her thick, blue-black hair added to her exotic beauty.
After Queen Dilna explained the situation again, Adila shook her head sadly and spoke in heavily-accented voice. "I know some from my country are slave traders, though most of my people denounce this terrible practice."
"She's right," Evan interjected. "I've heard of this, back in East Bight. Most of those… monsters aren't from the South at all.; they're opportunists, looking to make easy cash. I pray I'm wrong," he hesitated, "but I've heard they snatch children from their homeland, and bring them up North, so the little ones don't try to run away. They don't know how to get home again."
"Oh, no…" Rhian's lip trembled, and she covered her mouth. Hannah put a hand on her arm with concern.
"I have heard this as well," Adila said. Of course, I will go, My Lord. When do you wish me to be ready?"
"Can you and Hannah leave now? I don't want to wait. Her Majesty says the children have been afforded every comfort, but they have been through a terrible time and I don't want them to wait a minute longer than they have to."
"Of course, My Lord." Hannah said, and smiled at Adila.
"I must send a message to my husband, but yes, I can do this."
"I'm coming, too"
Everyone at the table turned to Rhian in surprise. Darryn was asleep on her shoulder, and she was rubbing his back in small circles. Bard also noticed Evan leaning toward her slightly; a bit protectively.
"Are you sure, Mellon nîn?" Turamarth asked gently.
"It won't be pretty, lovey," Hannah asked her. "Do you think you're ready for something like that?"
"When is something like that ever 'pretty?'" Rhian asked. "I know a little about what they are suffering, and I… I think I have to do this. I want to help." She turned to the Bowman. "Please, may I go, My Lord?"
Bard's eyes narrowed, as he held her gaze. The girl's bright green eyes were wet with tears, but there was a hardness and determination in her look that impressed him. Maybe it would help her, too, if she could make a difference in some small way. The King of Dale knew he didn't have to ask the others to look out for her; they'd all make sure she was all right.
"All right, then." Bard decided. "Darryn can stay here with us, until your Da gets done with work. While Hannah and Elénaril helps Master Óin examine these kids, I want you with Adila."
He looked at the Haradhrim woman. "Talk to the children, and get their birth names and the names of their parents. Rhian, I want you to make a record for each child. Write everything you can think of - anything useful that describes where they came from. Turamarth, you go with them. Tauriel should be arriving any minute with Sigrid and Bain, so take her with you." He looked at all of them. "Go, and help them with whatever those kids need."
"Yes, My Lord." The women and the Guard nodded their heads.
"Hilda, find Ben and get things arranged for housing. We'll need volunteers to help look after them, and a whole pile of warmer clothes."
"I'll get right on it." She said.
"I will send a message to the Palace for caretakers, Bard." Thranduil offered. "Everyone here in Dale is busy with their families and their jobs, and you will need a staff that can actually live with them. Turamarth, do you think your mother could come?"
"I do not see why not. This is her area of expertise." the Guard answered.
"That's a great idea," Bard said, before he turned back to Rhian. "I think your Da has a pportable lap desk in his office. Take with you, if it would help."
"I'll go get it." To everyone's surprise, Rhian handed Darryn over to Evan. "Could you please hold him, while I get some paper and pens together?"
"You bet," he grinned, "Hey, there's my little pal!"
The King of Dale noted Turamarth's suspicious look.
He also noted Thranduil's raised eyebrows.
Uh oh…
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LETTERS FROM DALE
To Daeron from Thranduil:
Suilad, Lieutenant Daeron:
I have read your reports, which have been seconded by Lord Celeborn, and I want to congratulate you all. I have confidence that your excellent performance will continue throughout the year.
Thanks be to the Valar for the safe arrival, of your unit, Mellon nîn.
I was pleased to read your glowing report regarding the performance of my Guardians but I am not surprised. Commander Feren's confidence in you all is well-placed.
I am also pleased to tell you that Lady Tilda is doing well. As per your instructions, she is resting immediately after school, and we have arranged for Esta to accompany her in the classroom, with much success. Her teacher, Miss Eryn has been helpful in encouraging the children to see her as a 'mascot' of sorts. Elénaril examines her on a weekly basis, but so far, finds nothing out of the ordinary. We remain cautious, despite Tilda's increasing frustration. We try to remind ourselves that her impatience is also a side-effect of her illness, she does not like knowing she cannot do what the other children do so easily, which is heartbreaking, but there is little we can do about it, except to calm her and love her unconditionally.
Bain, of course, is as active as ever. Sigrid had a bit of a cold last week, but only missed one day of school which was at my insistence, and Bard and I kept Tilda with us, to keep her from catching it.
The children miss you terribly, and I am to tell you not to forget to read Tilda's letter, which she assures me is "secret, so I must not look."
By now, you have gotten used to living in the treetops, and have seen the beauty of Caras Galadhon at night – what do you think of it? I hope they have continued the tradition of singing at twilight, and that you enjoy it as much as I did.
Mellon nîn, I hope you are finding the peace you seek, though I caution you that your sorrows will find their way to you, even in such a lovely place such as Lothlórien. Even so, you will find such dark thoughts easier to bear, thanks to the benevolence of the Lady.
Regards,
Thranduil Oropherion, King of the Woodland Realm
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To Celeborn from Thranduil:
Suilad, my cousin and friend:
It is my continued hope that all is well with you and your wife, and that she continues to heal and gain strength after her brave deeds.
Please express my personal thanks to those who have opened up their homes for my Elves. I wish I could reciprocate this generosity here in Dale, but the fact is, very few Elves in our military have permanent homes in this City. Most are on rotation from the Woodland Realm, so their quarters here are temporary.
In fact your Wardens are preparing to leave Dale for their month-long rotation in my forest next week. After, they will return here, and begin their visits to Erebor.
I have gone over Commander Feren's reports concerning your Galadhrims' individual performance, and I am sure they will coincide with Rúmil's. They are skilled, courteous and eager to understand the differing traditions we have here.
The people of Dale enjoy getting to know them, and you will be amused to know our friend Hilda is has taken them, especially Rúmil, under her wing and has made it her personal mission to see that he and Turamarth are well-fed.
Should your duties permit, I would be greatly honored to have an opportunity to introduce you to my husband and my new children soon. I am afraid any plans to travel to Lothlórien, must be postponed for several years, as the King of Dale must remain here to help establish this region, and cannot be away for more than a few days.
I hope you can plan a trip soon. In fact, since our youngest has learned I have a cousin, she has been continually asking questions about you.
My best to you and your esteemed wife, dear cousin.
Regards,
Thranduil
P.S. Since writing this, a situation has arisen, and I hope you can help. Bard will give the details in enclosed letter.
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To Daeron from Turamarth:
Suilad, Gwador!
First of all, I want to tell you that I find Rúmil much easier than you to live with. He is neat and organized and does his share of the chores without having to be reminded at least three times. I do not have to go into his room and pick up his dirty clothes to wash, nor do I have to re-fold my own tunics or leggings when he does the laundry.
The problem is, I am not spending most of my day griping at anyone! What do I do with all this extra time on my hands? I wish I could spend it causing mischief, but alas, I must set a good example for our guests…
Seriously, I do miss you,Daeron. I was sorry to hear about your colleague who is causing problems – Penlod was his name? Have you won him over with your charm and devastating good looks? On second though, perhaps not - I'm the handsome one.
Now, onto important business: Bowen is attending school full time, and Mistress Anna tells me he is still quiet at home, and seems distant. Beriel has been a real source of comfort, not only to the boy, but to the whole family, who grieve Owen and Ellyn deeply. I pick him up after school at least twice a week, and we go riding if the weather permits. Oftentimes Rúmil will ride along with young Maddox who was taken a liking to the Warden. Prince Bain and Rhys often accompany us, which keeps things lively.
Rhian brings Darryn to the Castle on a regular basis to have lunch with Ben, and he has a new trick: he likes to see what is going on around him, so his mother now has to hold him facing outwards, or he becomes cranky. Darryn is now able to pull himself up to stand, and very pleased with himself about it, too. He does not walk, but he crawls everywhere, and at an alarming rate of speed.
You will be proud of Rhian, Gwador. Two days ago, we received word from the Dwarves that a group of refugees, children who had been turned into slaves, had been brought to the Lonely Mountain, and she left the baby with Princess Sigrid and joined Lady Hilda, Mistress Hannah, and Queen Dilna back to Erebor, see if she could help.
Tauriel and I accompanied the party to Erebor. It was difficult for her, and she was somber and quiet afterwards, but perhaps this experience will make her stronger in the end. I took her aside yesterday and told her I was available if she needed to talk, for which she was grateful.
I must go - duty calls. May the Valar keep watch over you, Gwador. I know what it is you pray for, but please: do not forget all those who love you here.
Be well, cousin,
Turamarth
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To Daeron from Tilda:
Deer Darron:
I am good. I miss you. I like school a lot. Esta goes with me the other kids like her alot. I take my naps eveery day like you said. I feel really good. Ada walks to school with mee, but he goes away alot. Then Da takes mee.
Tauriel is good. So is Bain and Sigrid. I like my friend Gwen. She likes my dolls.
I am feeling good. Can I run now?
Ada says you have tree housses. Is that tru?
Love Tilda
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To Celeborn and Galadriel from Bard:
Greetings, to the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood:
I would like to thank for the lovely cloak pins you sent as a wedding gift. I will wear mine with great pride as part of my formal uniform.
Our youngest daughter, Tilda, has asked me to enclose an envelope for you, and she says it is a secret. I agreed not to look as she promised it's very polite, and I ask your forgiveness in advance, although her Ada tells me I do not need to.
I'm afraid I must get down to the true and heartbreaking reason for my letter:
King Dáin, King Thranduil and I have recently become aware of the fact that some traders in our area have captured children from as far south as Harad, and brought them North to force them into slavery, both of a menial nature and for prostitution.
My initial investigation leads me to suspect there is more to this than the twenty-seven children we have rescued. It looks to be an entire large network of "trade," of this kind. These groups tend to takeover small towns, by killing or driving out the current leadership, and intimidate the rest into cooperating.
I know it is great deal to ask for your involvement, but these are helpless children, some as young as our eight-year-old, and I am hoping you feel as outraged as I do and be willing help us put a stop to it.
This could also mean that some of your nearby territories will be vulnerable to such criminals, if they haven't tried already. I do not know the rulers of these places, but I beg you to either contact them and apprise them of these developments, or send me their names so I can contact them myself.
The whole point of cooperation between nations is to fight tyranny on every front, including those who do not come directly from our Enemies in Mordor. Let us all work together to end, or at least curtail, this heinous practice from our lands.
With my highest regards, I am, and I remain,
Your humble servant,
Bard, son of Brand, King of Dale
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To Celeborn and Galadriel from Tilda:
Deer Lord Celebon and LadyGallGaland Lady of light:
How are you. I am good.
My name is Tilda and King Bard is my Da. King Thrandool is my Ada and he says your reel nice so I want to write you a litte letter.
How is Daron? He is my friend. He took care of me, becuase I got reel sick, but dont worry I am better now.
I want to run like the other kids, but Ada says no, becuase Daron told him I cant. Pleese ask him to tell Da and Adathat I am good, so I can bee like my freinds. Pleese make him say I can!
I drew you a pikture. It is of the Great Hall. I hope you like it. We live there, becuase the Cassle needs fixed but Da says everybody elsse gets a houss a place to live first.
Your freind,
Tilda, Princess of Dale
Ps.. I like your Warddens. They are nice. There hare is pretty like Ada.
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To Daeron from Rhian:
Hello, Daeron!
I can't believe it's almost November already! Well, maybe that's a good thing, because it means you'll come back soon if the time seems to fly by. I hate that you're so far away, especially now.
I went to Erebor two days ago, and I've been spending some time helping with a small band of children who have suffered from a terrible abuse. Turamarth told me he was going to give you the details, so I won't repeat them here.
The Blacksmith's wife, Adina, speaks Haradish, I helped her get the names and ages of these children and find out the names of parents, so King Bard can find a way to contact their people.
I think about all the kindness you showed me back at the refugee camp, all the time you took to draw me out of my shell, so that I could be here today. Where would I be if you hadn't help me carry water that day?
I often think about what you said back in July, that I didn't owe you anything, do you remember your words? "There is no debt, except to your own possibilities." I think I know what you were talking about. I've been so busy concentrating on getting better, that I never thought about what my life could be, beyond Da and Darryn. Argh! I wish you were here, so I could get your advice about something, but I know you're doing something important. I'm proud of you, and I know Darryn will be too.
Speaking of Darryn, our little boy misses you. He looks around for you when I bring him to the Castle! Right after you left, he would cry when he couldn't find you! I asked Lord Thranduil to draw a picture of you, so I could show it to him, and tell him a hundred times a day how much you love him, and that you'll be back soon.
Write soon, and tell me what it's like in Lothlorien. I know it's silly and stupid, but if I can picture you there, you don't seem so far away.
Lots of love and kisses from Darryn,
Rhian
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ELVEN TRANSLATIONS:
Gellon n'i iuithog i carpa gîn… – I love it when you use your mouth…
Lavo i 'wî nîn! - Lick my cock!
Suilad, Gwedyr Nîn – Greetings My Brothers:
Nover hí, - Farewell for now,
NOTES:
-The dogs that Bard purchased to guard the sheep and the crops are Middle Earth's version of Great Pyrenees breed. Huge, good with children, but hostile to strangers and predators.