The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The Lonely Star -- Chapter 4

mark12_30 · 10-06-2002, 04:36 PM

Gamba was back well before dinnertime, having finished his gravedigging several hours early. The same number of graves were required each day, and the stronger he grew the faster he dug them, and was free to go. He wondered why they let him go, but they did. The guards seemed as depressed about their work as he did about his.

Phura looked up from his studies, and gave a low whistle. Gamba's eyes sparkled in anticipation, and quite soon he was tackled by Kesha, and immediately buried under five ferocious ticklers. Phura watched as Kesha, Roca, Asta, Ban, and even little Maura tickled Gamba til his tears flowed and his sides ached.

Finally he begged for mercy, and they stopped, and pillowed themseves against him and began to tell him about the games they had played that day.

"There's a new girl here today, " Kesha announced softly. "We ate lunch with her."

"Really? Where is she from?"

Kesha shrugged.

"No answers, " Phura muttered. "I couldn't manage to ask any questions at all. And she didn't volunteer anything, and neither did Anee."

"Well, I hope she's from Nitir and Azra's ship. And I hope they come soon; sooner than two weeks," Gamba said, laboriously sitting up out from under a tangle of children. "What is it now? Eleven more days? That's twenty-two more hobbit graves. Can't they hurry?"

"I wish they could hurry, too. Perhaps we'll find out at dinner, " Phura said quietly.

Gamba said, "Maura, what did you have for lunch?"

"Bread and apples, " lisped the tiny child.

Gamba picked little Maura up, and held him close. Roka and Asta leaned against Gamba, and Ban squirmed into his lap. Kesha put one hand on Gamba's shoulder, and Gamba began softly to sing The Snowbattle of Ladros.

Phura put his pen down, and softly joined in.

[ October 07, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

10-06-2002, 04:36 PM	#137
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Gamba was back well before dinnertime, having finished his gravedigging several hours early. The same number of graves were required each day, and the stronger he grew the faster he dug them, and was free to go. He wondered why they let him go, but they did. The guards seemed as depressed about their work as he did about his. Phura looked up from his studies, and gave a low whistle. Gamba's eyes sparkled in anticipation, and quite soon he was tackled by Kesha, and immediately buried under five ferocious ticklers. Phura watched as Kesha, Roca, Asta, Ban, and even little Maura tickled Gamba til his tears flowed and his sides ached. Finally he begged for mercy, and they stopped, and pillowed themseves against him and began to tell him about the games they had played that day. "There's a new girl here today, " Kesha announced softly. "We ate lunch with her." "Really? Where is she from?" Kesha shrugged. "No answers, " Phura muttered. "I couldn't manage to ask any questions at all. And she didn't volunteer anything, and neither did Anee." "Well, I hope she's from Nitir and Azra's ship. And I hope they come soon; sooner than two weeks," Gamba said, laboriously sitting up out from under a tangle of children. "What is it now? Eleven more days? That's twenty-two more hobbit graves. Can't they hurry?" "I wish they could hurry, too. Perhaps we'll find out at dinner, " Phura said quietly. Gamba said, "Maura, what did you have for lunch?" "Bread and apples, " lisped the tiny child. Gamba picked little Maura up, and held him close. Roka and Asta leaned against Gamba, and Ban squirmed into his lap. Kesha put one hand on Gamba's shoulder, and Gamba began softly to sing The Snowbattle of Ladros. Phura put his pen down, and softly joined in. [ October 07, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ] __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.