audio;

[dusk_and_dawn]

[It's a brilliantly sunny day, everyone. It's raining, of course, but not lightly enough to turn to mist and block the light, and not heavily enough to drive everyone indoors.

The cause for the brilliance is sitting atop the highest structure he could find near the center of the city, shining like a star. Best not to look at him directly. You might even want to buy sunglasses, although there's probably no one who sells them.

He's not illuminating the whole city, of course, but he's trying.]

Greetings all, 'tis Balder the Brave. If others can bring snow, I thought I might try to bring the sun. Let me know if it is too much. And if you would, entertain me with your best stories. I ask not that they be true, merely interesting.

Comments

[iorhael]

Frodo, at your service and your family's. If you can truly bring the sun, it would be much appreciated!

Would you like to know about Bullroarer Took and the Battle of Greenfields?

[dusk_and_dawn]

I can do but this, for I cannot part the clouds that constantly beset us. But I hope it shall suffice.

I would indeed. "Bullroarer" has a most impressive sound to it.

engaging: hobbit story mode

[iorhael]

Any light at all has been missed these past days. Thank you.

Bullroarer Took would have been most pleased to hear it.

[Frodo rocks a little on his feet, the same thoughtful motion he gets right before he is preparing to tell a story. The story is, of course, well known to any hobbit, so it comes easily from memory]

He's something of a legend among my folk; he was so tall for a hobbit that he was able to ride a horse, if you can believe that. He would ride from South Farthing to North Farthing, East Farthing to West Farthing and back with his horse, swift as the wind and laughing merrily. He cut a very fine (if strange sight) from what I am given to understand.

There came a day however, when the peace the Shire had long enjoyed was suddenly broken, for from the north came goblins! Goblins, and I am sure even you have heard of them. Goblins are wicked creatures, and these were the very wickedest of them all. They came yammering and yelling, waving axes and swords, and crying all sorts of rude, horrible things which I won't repeat here.

Bullroarer led as many hobbits as could be found, and together, they clashed against the goblin army in the Battle of Greenfields. And it was a ferocious battle! There has not been one in the Shire since. Old Bullroarer rode down goblins left and right on his horse, and then came upon the Goblin King. Bullroarer rode fast, and swinging his great club in a whirling arc, dashed the Goblin King's head clean off his body! It went sailing through the air...and right down a rabbit hole. The Battle of Greenfields was won.

And that, they say, is how the game of golf was invented at the same time.

[dusk_and_dawn]

You are most welcome.

[Now this is a proper story, told in proper form! He chuckles] How terribly exciting! Though from what I know of golf, does this not mean that this goblin king had quite the small head?

[iorhael]

[Frodo looks very pleased to hear that the Man likes the story. a smile tugs at the corners of his mouth]

Perhaps, or that the rabbit in question was particularly industrious when it came to making the hole.

[dusk_and_dawn]

One does have to have pride in one's work.

But what is a hobbit, pray tell?

[iorhael]

But of course.

A hobbit is what I am, and those of the Shire. Most of us are a simple folk, with a love of good food, ale, and leaf, and a simple life where nothing much happens at all.

[it hadn't exactly been for him, but now that he is away on this journey, he has begun to appreciate it too late]

[dusk_and_dawn]

Nothing much? But then what do you do if nothing much?

[This is a pretty foreign idea to him.]

[iorhael]

Live from day to day, I suppose, and not worry all that much of what the future may bring, other than what crops may fail or thrive, or which hobbit is courting who.

[dusk_and_dawn]

I see. I must admit, I find it hard to envision such a life.

[iorhael]

It's very...well, it's very slow and uneventful, for the most part. Sometimes the days blend together.

[dusk_and_dawn]

How long do your kind live? Mine is a very old race.

[iorhael]

We may live to around our nineties or older; my uncle lived to a healthy hundred and eleven.

Really? How long does your kind live? Are you not a Man?

[dusk_and_dawn]

I am Asgardian. We live quite a long time. [This is an understatement.] Though we are not as immortal as some Gods.

[iorhael]

You don't look at all like an elf, and you look the same as a Man. How are Asgard much different, aside from a longer life?

[dusk_and_dawn]

We weigh twice as much, are faster, stronger, more durable, immune to Midgard's poisons and ailments, and we often have our own unique abilities. Such as my light.

[iorhael]

[Frodo sounds impressed]

You certainly must be a formidable sort of folk!

[dusk_and_dawn]

'Tis in our nature to be strong for war. I fear we still need to learn the strength of peace.

[iorhael]

Peace must seem like a difficult thing indeed if one has known only war and great battles, or even knowing what one will do with oneself if peace has fallen.

[dusk_and_dawn]

Yes. People begin to fight among themselves. But perhaps in time that will change.

[iorhael]

I hope your people can find it in themselves to change. It seems sad to go to such great lengths to fight for peace, and destroy it yourself.

[dusk_and_dawn]

Well said. Still, we are old and stuck in our ways, but we are survivors.