Thenamir watched in surprise, amusement, and mild alarm as the diminutive dwarf tongue-lashed the tall elf. He wondered whether it was great courage or foolhardy rashness that made him challenge the one who, only hours before, had unveiled such power in defending them against the old rider.
He stifled a smile as the dwarf rounded on him and spoke as if the group had been ignoring him. In fact, several of the riders had taken advantage of the graciously offered food and supplies, and the blankets and bedrolls were already gratefully in use by some, and each had expressed their thanks.
Thenamir's alarm ratcheted up a notch as the elf responded in seeming anger. Thenamir interposed himself to defuse the situation before the dwarf could formulate a stinging retort. He took a kind but firm tone.
“Good master dwarf,” he said, “we are indeed most grateful for your assistance, which will be difficult for us to repay, and by your continued kindness, we would ask that you stay with us overnight that we might rest. But tomorrow morning we are going to take a different course, out of your intended path, away from our homes and into unknown dangers. It is a path I would hesitate to ask anyone but my own men to take…”
“But you asked this…this…this ELF!!” Dwarin stammered.
“Master Dwarin,” Thenamir replied, “his purpose and ours are one. I would not trouble or delay you any more than necessary, nor put one to whom I am already indebted in danger…”
“Hang the danger! I am no less brave nor strong than this elf, I do not run from danger like a wood squirrel, and…” Here Dwarin motioned for Thenamir to lean over so that he could whisper, “…and you are a lot less trouble than my family back home!” Thenamir smiled. It looked like one more had been added to their small force, and they needed all the help they could get.
Now he turned to Elwood. "Master Elwood, we are a small band, and the forces which will come against us may be large. Our enemies are common to all of us." Thenamir spoke now to both, "Can we set aside our differences and move forward?"
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Thenamir of Rohan
Dwarf-Elf Relations Manager
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The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. ~~ Marcus Aurelius
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