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 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.