"And why should I accept it from you?" he asked.
Elnan simply looked down at him.
"For it is important, take it"
Paladin still did not trust big folk, for he had been there when they came to eradicate the hobbits. Slowly, paladin raised his hand. The next second, Elnan had the letter thrust from his grasp.
"Now go, you know what will happen if your are seen, we told you that last time"
At that, Elnan nodded, turned, mounted his horse, turn and galloped away. Paladin watched as the man continued to gallop off, only looking down at the folded piece of parchment.
On the front was a name.
"Pippin?" he asked himself, not believing what he was seeing.
"Should I read it?" he asked himself.
Paladin took a deep breath and walked away. He knew exactly what he was going to do. He would not go straight to Peregrin, but straight to his study.
It took a few minutes for him to reach his home. The door clicked open as he let himself in. There was a significant warmth to the house. Paladin silently made his way down to his study.
Eglantine heard a small click echo down from corridor.
"Hmm, Paladin must be back"
Paladin knew that Pippin would be eating, he always did at this time. Paladin's heart rate started to rise. He sat down on his seat and looked at the letter. There was a small mark on the back. Paladin knew that this was no mark that a hobbit would make.
Paladin looked around at the door.
"Should I really read it?" he asked.
But he had to. If Pippin was mixing with tall folk, then he had to read it. The parchment had been folded over. Paladin took a deep breath as he unfolded it.
A message lay on the surface. Paladin's eyes started to slid over the words.
Dear Friend of the King,
It is with great pleasure that Arwen, Queen of the Reunited Kingdom, has given birth to a son. Arwen, as always, is very beautiful and precious to me.
The rebuilding of Osgiliath is slow, but steady. Yet it will take some time to restore it to its full glory.
I hope you are all well in Hobbiton, I would like a letter back as soon as you can.
King Elessar, Aragorn.
"Friend of the King?" Paladin asked, thinking about his son.
This did not sound good for Pippin. Paladin reread the message. A knock on his study door quickly made him hide it.
Paladin turned around, the parchment was now on his lap.
"Dinner will be ready in an hour, dear" Eglantine told
him.
Paladin smiled.
"I know, love" he answered.
Eglantine smiled. There was a strong resemblance between Eglantine and her daughters. Paladin, on the other hand, seemed to look more like his son then his daughters.
The door closed again. Paladin let out a long exhale.
"I need to show this to Pippin" Paladin thought.
"Maybe it isn't as bad as it sounds"
A few seconds past before Paladin got up. He knew where Pippin had gone, for he had told him. Now, it was Paladin's time to go and find him.
"I'm just going to find Peregrin" Paladin said, popping his head around the kitchen door.
Eglantine smiled.
"Just don't be late for lunch, dear" Eglantine answered.
Paladin smiled one last time before he walked away. Less then a minute later, paladin had walked to the front door, put his coat on and buttoned it up.
Paladin placed his hand on the cold handle and opened the large front door. Coldness instantly hit his face. The door closed behind him. Paladin scanned the horizon. There was no sign of the horse of his rider anywhere.
A few minutes past. A knock came at the door.
"Excuse me" said Estella.
She smiled at Merry and stood up. Both Merry and Pippin were sitting on separate seats. Pippin had claimed the armchair closed to the door while Merry and Estella sat on the worn sofa.
Estella smiled as she briskly walked down the corridor. The door clicked open. Standing before her was a familiar face around Hobbiton.
"Oh, Paladin, I wasn't expecting you" she said.
Estella ushered him inside and shut the door.
"I need to talk to Peregrin" Paladin told her.
Estella was a tad confused as to why, but she did as she was told.
"Pippin, your father is here to see you" Estella said, standing at the lounge door.
Pippin gave a small smile and looked over at Merry. Without a word, Pippin took a deep breath and heaved himself up from his comfy chair.
"I wonder what I have done now" he joked.
Both Merry and Estella smiled as he walked out. Paladin was waiting at the door.
"Ah, Peregrin, I need a word" Paladin told him.
Estella had followed Pippin back down the corridor.
"Alone" he said, looking over at Estella.
Pippin looked back. Estella seemed to get the message right away and walked back down the corridor.
"Follow me" Paladin said.
So, the two of them walked down the corridor to the study. Paladin opened it up and walked inside. A confused Pippin followed suit.
"What is this about?" Peregrin asked.
Paladin closed the door quietly. He took a deep breath.
"I will not have my only son mixing with the big folk over the boarders" Paladin told him.
Peregrin was now very confused.
"Big folk?" Peregrin asked, wondering what his father was on about.
"Yes, big folk"
Paladin held out a small rectangular piece of parchment. On it, Pippin could see his own name.
"I saw one of them, just by the bridge opposite the Dragon" paladin started.
Peregrin looked from the letter, to his father.
"He gave me this, it is addressed to you"
Pippin slowly took it and looked at the seal. He recognised the white tree that had been imprinted within the wax. There was only one person that had this seal.
Aragorn.
"Did you read any of it?" Peregrin asked.
Paladin took a little breath.
"Yes, I am your father and, if you're getting into business that will get you hurt or killed, then it's mine duty to protect you"
Pippin knew that his father was only trying to help, but this was no excuse to go reading his letters.
"I can protect myself, I proved that many times during my life" Pippin told him.
Without a chance for his father to respond, Pippin walked towards the door and opened it. Paladin watched as his son walked out of sight.
Pippin walked back to the lounge. He knew that Paladin would not bother him. Merry and Estella looked up as he came into the room.
They noticed that Pippin looked annoyed.
"What's the matter?" Merry asked.
Pippin took a deep breath. The sound of bare feet on tiled floor grew louder. Paladin entered the room.
"I only did what I thought was best, I am sorry" he said.
But Peregrin did not look up. After what felt like minutes, Paladin took a deep breath and continued on with his journey down towards the front door.
Pippin heard the front door click, meaning that paladin had left.
"What was that about?" Estella asked, finally building the courage to ask.
Peregrin took a deep breath.
"He gave me this letter" Pippin answered, holding it up.
Merry wanted to know more.
"Who is it from?" he asked.
Pippin took a deep breath.
"Aragorn" Pippin answered.
Mya was now sitting in a large arm chair. The wind blew her golden hair she her leg rested on a small table. A pillow had been placed under her ankle, keeping her leg rested.
"Puppy, its not your fault" she said, stroking Origo's ear.
Origo was whimpering and looking very sorry for himself. Ivy was standing on the arm rest. She knew that Mya had many things to say to her. Ivy was worried that she would be sent away.
Elladan came in, he was holding a trey full of the finest food. Mya smiled as she moved Origo over. The trey was placed down on her lap.
"I will bring Origo his food in just a moment" the elf told her.
Mya smiled and nodded. Elladan walked away, his dark hair blowing in the cold wind. Mya smiled as she looked down at her plate. A few sliced pieces of bread had been put on the plate as well. A stick of creamy butter and a sliver knife laying near by.
Mya smiled as she saw the thing she most wanted.
Bacon.
The bacon still had a little bit of warmth. But it was obvious that it had lost a lot of its warmth on the journey between the kitchen and her lap.
Origo gave a small whimper. He did not like the smell or taste of bacon at all. Mya smiled as Origo covered his little wet nose with a little fluffy paw.
"It's not that bad" Mya told him.
She was holding a knife and carefully spreading the butter on one side of the bread. A few minutes later, after the second slice was buttered, Mya started to placed rashers of bacon on the slices of bacon.
Mya smiled as she took her first, large bite. The butter had melted just a little bit, seeping into the fluffy whiteness of the bread.
Elladan walked back a few moments later. Origo, who was down wind, knew exactly what was coming. Mya smiled as she felt Origo try to squirm out. Elladan smiled as he placed the plate on the floor.
"Calm down, puppy" Mya said, lifted him up and gently placing him the floor.
Origo scooted off to his plate of turkey. Elladan smiled, looking down at the pup.
"He has not changed since I last saw him"
Elladan and Mya had met long ago, many years before Sauron grew to power again. The Elven township of Rivendell looked more alive then it did now days.
Elrond and Celebrian were sitting in a long hall.
Celebrian looked very youthful. Two young looking boys sat on opposite sides of the long, wooden table. These were the same elves that had just encountered Mya and Origo on their journey to Radagast.
Just one hundred and thirty two years before, Elrond and Celebrian married. Just eleven years after their wedding, the two of them celebrated the birth of their two sons.
Elladan and Elrohir were now the only remaining elves in Rivendell. It was a sad sight to see many of the buildings in disuse. Some had been left abandoned to the elements.
The water falls had caved this valley over many thousands of years. Some had succumbed to the erosion of the water over rocks and had fallen over the edge.
Only some of their structure could still be seen laying, encased in rock, at the bottom of the valley.
Elladan and Elrohir finished lunch before their parents. Elrond placed his long silver fork down and picked up a large goblet.
Hobbits, men and dwarves would have most likely have ale at lunch. But not elves. They had their own drink, Miruvor.
Elrond took a large gulp. His full stomach seemed to become empty. All of the wonderful food that he had eaten seemed to have vanished.
Elrond smiled as he placed the goblet back down. An elf stood in the corner of the room. He had a bow slung over his back. In his scabbard lay a long, sharp blade. It reflected any light that hit it.
A strange design had been etched down each side of the blade. The elf stood motionless. But there was a hint of readiness in his eyes. His hair was golden.
This was Legolas.
He had reached the young age of one hundred and fifty one. He was in the first stages of his Elvish training. Training that would come in useful in a few thousand years. But, for now, peace laid over the lands.
Elrond looked over at his dear wife. Her hand was rubbing her stomach. She did not say a word, but both knew what was going to happen.
Elrond calmly placed his goblet down. It did not make a sound as it hit the wood. Elrond stood up in one smooth movement. He seemed to glide over to his wife.
"It is time" Celebrian said.
Elrond nodded and looked up at his sons.
"Legolas, get my sons to their rooms" Elrond said.
Two more elves were summoned in to the dining room to help Celebrian to her room. Elrond followed her as she slowly walked into the cool summer air.
Legolas remained standing, guarding the door. Elladan and Elrohir finished up, near enough, at the same time.
"You shall come with me" Legolas said to the boys.
The twins gracefully stood up and followed Legolas out of the door. Though they were young, both twins knew what was happening.
A few minutes past as the three elves crossed a bridge. The wind was cool and blow their hair. Obviously, elves could not feel neither heat or coldness. The summer months just seemed to become longer and brighter.
There was a significant number of birds in the summer months. Although some of them stayed for the darker months.
"You will stay here, Elrond will call you when you are needed" Legolas told them.
The boys were prepared for this. Now was the time where they could continue on studying. Legolas, like before, remained guarding them from harm.
Hours past as the sun crept behind the valley. The mountain tops were not as high as they were in present day times. For the water and wind had yet to erode the rock that far.
In fact, the whole valley that Rivendell sat in looked different. The lay out of the buildings changed as fast as the terrain changed.
But this did not mean that it was any less beautiful. The valley deepened over the many years. Both Elladan and Elrohir saw this every day. The water spilling over the edges was taking longer to fall to their pools.
Origo was wagging his tail as he watched a green dot flutter down to him.
"You fine, pup?" she asked.
Origo gave a little whimper and looked up at Mya. Mya, who had had more then enough bacon, but was still eating, could understand every word.
"She'll be fine, pup, she just needs some rest so we're staying here for a while" Ivy explained, rubbing the little patch of fur between his brown eyes.
Origo yawned as he looked around.
"Sleepy?" Ivy asked.
Origo nodded his head, making his ears flop. Mya smiled as she watched him. The bacon that had once been warm was now cold. But this did not bother her much. Just the smell was enough to satisfy her.
Meanwhile, in Hobbiton, Diamond, Pearl and Pimpernel were still sitting in the lounge. Diamond felt suddenly full, though she had not eaten. Nelly felt the same way, but there was a difference.
Pimpernel sniffed the air as she sat there. Diamond looked over at her.
"What is it?" Diamond asked, wondering what was wrong.
Pimpernel took a deep breath.
"I can smell…" Pimpernel started, but stopped to take one more to make sure what she was smelling.
"I can smell bacon" she answered.
Diamond, who was no longer holding her son, sniffed the air as well. But she could not.
"I did smell turkey just a few minutes ago, but I can not smell bacon"
Pimpernel took a deep breath as she sat in the armchair. Bacon reminded her of her little puppy she once had. Everything in Pimpernel's life seemed to have gone wrong.
The other hobbits knew that it had taken a great toll on Pimpernel's emotions and confidence. Pimpernel had learnt to hide her pain well. But this did not stop hobbits talking behind her back.
"Maybe it was just me" Pimpernel said.
Diamond felt sorry for her. Abira was the one thing Pimpernel cared for most. But, now that she had gone, Pimpernel cared for nothing.
Even Hamson had let her down when she most needed him. Hamson had been so scared of losing her that he needed to leave.
"Just for a while, I promise I will come back" he told her.
Pimpernel looked down at her hand. On her figure lay two rings. One was hers, given to her by Hamson. The second was Hamson's ring that she gave to him.
But now, there was no hope in Hamson ever coming back to her. In fact, even if he did, she did feel like taking him back.
Diamond's little baby was snoozing in the arms of his auntie Pearl. Diamond, like Origo in Rivendell, was feeling very warm and very tired. Diamond's blue eyes started to close.
In Rivendell, Origo had curled up on Mya's lap.
"You just go to sleep, pup" Mya said, stroking his little head.
Ivy had once again worked her magic on the pup. She knew that Mya needed a word. Ivy was defiantly not looking forward to it.
Mya was very calm now, as the night slowly drew in. The sun had sank behind the mountains an hour before. The coldness, that would have once been felt by Mya if it not for Ivy, was deepening.
Mya took a deep breath, exhaling a cloud of breath. She looked down at the puppy to see his head resting on his paws.
"Is he asleep yet?" Ivy asked, fluttering up from the ground.
Origo was very asleep. So too was Diamond. Pimpernel was looking into the flames of the fire. There was a noticeable difference to the brightness and height of the flames had decreased.
Mya and Ivy were now at a stalemate.
"But, I cant leave" Ivy told her, her eyes were welling up with tears.
"You are the reason that I have my leg in this cast, you are the reason why I had to risk my life to try and get it" Mya told her.
Mya knew that she needed Ivy, but, at the moment, she didn't care. Ivy looked down at Origo.
"He needs me, probably more then you" Ivy told her.
It was true. Ivy had helped both of them get this far. But, right now, this did not seem to matter.
"Mya, I've always been on your side, ever since we left Hobbiton"
The girl's eyes seemed to glaze over.
"Hobbiton" she thought.
Her eyes darted away from Ivy. A warm feeling came over her as a picture of her Pimpernel came over her. Ivy was still fluttering.
Mya's day dream was short, but controversial.
"You're right" Mya said, finally realising that, with Ivy, they would not have made it here.
It was Ivy's idea to make Origo sleepy so that he could not walk. It was Ivy's idea to keep their talks secretive so that Origo could start to trust Mya again.
"I'm sorry, I just want him to get better and to go home" Mya told the fairy.
Ivy took a deep breath.
"You do not have to say sorry, it was my fault"
Mya knew that she should have got one of the elves to get him. For she was took important in this quest. Her hand continued to stroke Origo's ear as he slept.
The little puppy slept for hours. But would soon wake.
"Diamond?" asked an echoing voice.
Pimpernel was standing there, a smile on her face. Diamond snorted awake.
"Diamond?" Nelly asked again.
Diamond slowly woke.
"Oh, Pimpernel" Diamond said, sitting up.
A little bit of confusion came over her as she looked around. A window showed that the sun had now gone down.
"Oh no" Diamond said, realising that she had fallen asleep.
"Oh no, no, no" she said, quickly getting up.
Dinner had come and gone. But this did not mean nothing was made.
"Diamond, calm down" Nelly told her.
"Pearl has made the dinner and fed Faramir"
Diamond looked very scared, but soon calmed down.
"How long have I been out for?" Diamond asked, brushing her hair to one side.
Pimpernel looked over at the clock.
"About three hours" she answered.
Diamond started to blush. She had not even felt tired.
"Well, I best start cleaning up the dishes" Diamond said.
Pimpernel smiled.
"We tried to wake you, we did, but you just did not wake up. Not even for Faramir" Pimpernel explained.
Diamond blushed even more as the clocked chimed eight times. Pearl had been sitting in the kitchen. She was on her seventh mug of tea.
She looked up as Diamond walked in.
"Ah, I'm glad you're up" Pearl said, smiling.
Pimpernel followed Diamond into the kitchen. Pearl was the tallest one in the room. Diamond and Pimpernel were the shortest.
"We best get home" Pearl said, downing the rest of her tea.
Pimpernel smile and waited until her sister got up. The three girls said their goodbyes and walked down towards the front door.
"We'll see you soon" Pimpernel said, hugged Diamond.
Diamond smiled. But there was a small part of her that wished they would stay. The door clicked shut as the two girls made their way home.
Diamond took a deep breath as she walked down towards the kitchen.
"I think one big mug of tea and then bed"
Meanwhile, in Rivendell, Origo was sleepy as well. He was curled up nest made from a large, warm blanket. Origo yawned as he stretched. His stomach was grumbling.
Mya was still sitting down, her leg still resting on a small leg rest. She smiled as she looked down at the small pup. Origo shook his head and looked up.
"Hello" Mya said quietly.
Candles were flickering in the steady wind that ran through the valley. The sky had patches of clouds that blocked out the stunningly clear stars. The stars twinkled as they watched down on the beings of Middle-earth.
Origo gave a small whimper. Mya knew exactly what this meant.
"Come on then" she said, picking him up.
Origo gave another small whimper, much different from the first. Mya's hands were cold. But this did not bother the puppy for long. For Mya's hand seemed to warm up as she held him.
"Do you want some turkey pup?" Mya asked.
Origo gave a small nod. His little brown eyes looked up at him. Ivy smiled as she popped out of the pocket. But she would not have to use her magic. For a tall figure walked into the room.
"Ah" Ivy said, knowing that her magic would not be used.
"Origo's food will be ready in a few minutes" Elladan told her.
Mya smiled, she loved the fact that elves could rustle up food as quick as pouring a glass of water. Mya looked down at the sleepy pup. Normally, Origo would fall back to sleep. But he was not tired anymore, even though he felt like it.
Minutes past as Origo cuddled up on Mya's lap. Elladan then returned, carrying a trey. Mya smiled as the little pup looked up. He knew exactly what was coming for he smelt it in the air.
"Dinner time, puppy" Mya said.
Ori seemed to spring into life. His once lifeless tail was now wagging as he stood up on Mya's lap. Mya smiled as she placed him on the floor.
Elladan did not say a word to as he placed the trey on the floor. Origo did not need a second invitation to start eating.
Many miles away, in the west, Diamond Took was getting ready for bed. A kettle was bubbling over a heath in the kitchen.
Diamond smiled as she dried her face on a warm towel. Faramir, who was laying in his wooden cot, was encased in blankets to keep him warmer.
He giggled as he heard his mother's footsteps come into the room.
"Hello" said a voice.
The baby instantly knew it was his mother. A large smile came over Faramir. As quickly as his mother appeared, she was gone.
"Wait" whimpered Faramir, wanting his mother to return.
But she did not. In fact, Faramir laid in his cot whimpering for what seemed like hours. Diamond slowly walked back to her room. Her eyes darted from the full mug of tea in her hand, to the direction that she was heading.
A minute later, Faramir was picked out of his cot. He babbled as his mother walked over to an old rocking chair and sat down. Her mug of tea was placed down near by.
"Shush, shush" Diamond said.
Diamond could see Pippin in the face of her little son. Diamond started to wonder what Pippin was up to. In fact, Pippin was up to a lot.
He, Merry Brandybuck and Samwise Gamgee were all sitting in the corner. All three of them were puffing away at pipes.
"And he wants me to write back" Pippin told him.
A glum expression then spread over his face.
"The only thing is, the rider rode off so we can not use him again"
Sam puffed on his pipe as time ticked on. At home, all of his children were being put to bed. But Rosie was not alone. Marigold Gamgee, Samwise's youngest sister, was helping with putting the rabble of children to bed.
"Come on, Merry" Marigold said, picking him up.
Only Elanor and Frodo were allowed to stay up another hour. Merry cuddle his aunt as she walked back down towards his room.
Merry and little Rose shared a room. Unlike Merry, little Rose had remained in her bed.
"But, but, but…!" Merry said as he was placed down.
"I'm not sleepy" he whined.
Marigold smiled and tucked him in.
"Be a good boy now" she said, kissing him on the forehead.
Rosie was resting in the kitchen, the only time she could rest. Marigold gave small smile as she sat down as well.
"I don't know how you do it, Rosie, I really can't" she started, sitting down.
Rosie gave a big sigh.
"I wonder how I manage as well"
Marigold had yet to be told about Rosie's little secret.
"Especially with another one on the way"
As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew that she had said something that she shouldn't have.
"Rosie, why didn't you tell me?" Marigold squealed.
Rosie had her own reasons.
"Because me and Sam wanted to keep it a secret, for now" Rosie told her.
"But, you should tell everyone!" Marigold said.
Samwise, Pippin and Merry were now all making their way home. Each had had many pints in their short time at the Dragon.
"Good night" Samwise said, being the first to reach home.
Merry and Pippin bid farewell and continued on with their journey. Samwise smiled as he opened the large front door.
Down in the kitchen, Marigold and Rosie stopped talking. Samwise closed the door to a quiet house. He knew that his youngest sister was with Rosie.
"I think its time for me to go home" Marigold said as Samwise entered.
Marigold and Rosie stood up in unison. Samwise smiled as he hugged his sister and walked her back to the front door.
"Stay safe" Samwise told her.
Marigold buttoned the last button and hugged her brother again.
"See you later" she said.
Little Elanor had come out of her room. She was rubbing her eyes.
"Mummy?" she asked with a tired voice.
Marigold smiled. Out of all her nieces and nephews, Marigold felt like she connected with Elanor the most.
"Elanor, shouldn't you be in bed?" Marigold asked, picking her niece up.
Elanor gave a small smile.
"I wanted to say good bye to you" Elanor told her aunt.
Marigold smiled and hugged her oldest niece. A minute later, marigold had said her goodbyes and had opened the door.
"Bye" she said, walking out into the coldness.
The door closed behind her, shutting her out. Marigold instantly put her hands in her deep pockets to keep them warm. The snow that had not melted away was very slippery. Small dots of light glinted off of the black ice on the road. A few times, Marigold thought that she was going to slip over. Each time she did, her heart skipped a beat.
"Almost home" said the sandy haired girl.
Another few minutes past before she reached the safety of gate. The snow in her garden showed her past movements.
Marigold quickly shut the gate and walked towards the door. The round door that lead into her welcoming house creaked opened.
Marigold smiled as she closed the door behind her.
"A nice cup of tea for my troubles" Marigold told herself as she unbuttoned her coat.
Meanwhile, Mya and Origo were snuggling up in a large bed. The wind whistled through the buildings of this quiet and peaceful settlement. Origo gave a yawn as he curled up under the duvet.
Ivy had given them both a fresh bout of warmth to see them through the night. The little fairy was sitting just behind Mya's large pillow. Her little green glow seemed not to disturb neither Mya or Origo.
Ivy took a deep breath as she daydreamed. The weather was much nicer where she was. Neither Mya or Origo were known to her back then.
Ivy lived in the forest of Mirkwood. She and four other fairies led peaceful lives. There was no need for weapons where they lived.
Each fairy had her own colour. Ivy owned the green glow. One of her friends, who was called Leila, had a yellow glow. Petal had a purple glow and Luna had a silver. The last fairy, Rosa, lived up to her name by having a red glow.
Of course, there had been others. But they had not been seen for many hundreds of years. This was due to a rival gang of fairies that haunted their small clan.
The Decessus.
The Decessus were powerful. The forest was once full of clans working together to keep it safe. But that had soon changed. A member of the Decessus had been planning to take over the clan for many months.
Broin, as he was called, had convinced many of his friends that he would make a better leader.
"Be on my side and I will make you richer then ever before" he told them.
He and his allies would meet in secret, for the present leader would have their wings cut off. Many of them had this done to them.
"If you side with me, we can bring down this evil dictator"
But Broin's words were not as secretive as he would have liked. A small weedy looking fairy had sneaked in at the back. He was a spy of the present leader, Thorry.
The weedy fairy left before everyone else. He fluttered out of the tree into the forest. There were many trees in this area of the forest. Each tree had multiple holes in it.
Unlike Ivy's clan, they rarely used holes made by birds. It took a month or two to chop their way into the tree and make a nice home.
There was a massive tree in the middle of clan's empire. The tree had a single hole near the top. It was guarded by two massive fairies, bobbing up and down slightly.
They did not but an eyelid as the weedy fairy landed. He then entered the hole. The hole did not give away any sign of the enormity of the chamber within. Small flames flickered as they sat on the walls.
Many fairies were fluttering around or standing on small ledges. At the very bottom was where the leader lived. He rarely ventured out of the safety of the chamber. He fluttered down towards the leader of the clan.
"Ah, he is back" Thorry said.
He was surrounded by female fairies. Some wanted to be there, others did not.
"Did you get the information I needed?" Thorry asked.
The spy nodded.
"And?" Thorry asked, waiting to hear what he had to say.
"They plan to over throw you, but I do not know when or how"
Thorry gave a small smile. He needed to over throw this rabble of mindless fairies. Thorry raised his hand and summoned over a guard.
"I need the battalions ready, we need to take down these fairies before they have a chance to strike"
The guard nodded once and fluttered away. Thorry's army was the biggest in Mirkwood. He had thousands of troops ready for battle. He had many allies and just as many enemies.
Within minutes, an army of one hundred fairies had assembled inside the large chamber. Thorry had been given weapons himself.
Broin did not have a clue that he had been watched. The chamber in the tree had emptied, but not for long. Broin was distracted by a strange noise echoing in from the outside.
His curiosity got the better of him and he fluttered out. What he saw shocked him. There was a lot of fairies outside. For a moment, he thought that it was just an unusually busy time of day.
But that was not the case. Fairies were falling left, right and centre. It was then he heard and saw Thorry. He was laughing as he chased a youngling.
Broin watched as a spear was thrown. It travelled through the air right into the fragile body of the young fairy. Broin watched as the young fairy fell all the way to the forest floor.
Broin's anger rose as quickly as he continued to watch. He knew that he must fight. So, he fluttered back into his chamber.
A rack of weapons lay at the back of his chamber. Broin picked out his sharpest tool. It was a small dagger, no bigger then a pin for other beings. But to him, it was long and sharp.
He fluttered back over to the entrance.
"This means war" he told himself.
A few seconds later, he fluttered out into the aerial battlefield.