[Child of the 7th Age]

Tomba's eyes blazed bright as he stared about the Barrow. He had never in his life seen so many precious things so carelessly tossed about in this corner and that. Golden circlets, emerald brooches, swords agleem with inlaid jewels, and even one shirt made of mithril..... He could not even begin to guess what measure of wealth and beauty lay here. And, best of all, there seemed to be no one to guard it.

The lad had been so poor so long. Perhaps, this was the answer to all his hopes and dreams. Respect and riches were his for the taking. Tomba imagined himself showing off a fine smial to all the hobbits in the Shire, perhaps one even grander than the halls belonging to the Tooks or Brandybucks.

Cautiously, Tomba pulled aside from the group and began stuffing his pockets with gemstones that lay scattered about the floor in one of the antechambers. The lad's breeches were bulging out, and he made strange rattling noises as he walked.

Branda and Lotho came in to the chamber to see if there might be space for the ponies to find some shelter for the night. Lotho took one look at Branda, and pointed an accusing finger at the boy, shaking his head in consternation.

Branda leapt forward and grabbed Tomba by the collar. "Spit it out now. All of it. Have you lost your wits?"

"Why not?," Tomba retorted. "I'm poor and hungry, and it's here for the taking," as he began to empty out his pockets, but only very reluctantly.

Branda turned to him with angry eyes, "In the first place, this is worthless in the Shire right now. Starving families need food in their bellies, not jewels. All the riches in the world will not buy food when there's none to be had."

"Second, do not be so sure there is no one here to guard this Barrow. My grandmother told me tales, terrible stories filled with horror, of thieves who tried to make their way out with riches as you are doing. No guard pursued them during the day, but when they laid down to sleep they were dragged into a world of shadows, never to awaken again. What you chance for yourself when you are alone is one thing, but what you try to get away with when we are all together is another."

"Put it all back. Shame on you Tomba, shame!" A few of the hobbits had crept into the chamber, and were shaking, not from the snow and ice of winter, but from the frigid cold that invaded their hearts at the hard words of Branda's speech.

"Is there any way that we could use these riches to aid us in our quest? For we are trying to bring food to hungry folk in the Shire, and need all the help we can get." Carl asked his question while looking directly at Branda, then added a second query. "What would your grandmother say?"

Branda looked thoughtfully into the darkness and hesitated a minute before answering. "She did indeed speak of such things. For my own kin used to dwell not far from the forest haunts of the Elves, and we even heard rumors of their wisdom and tales."

"According to the ancient lore, we may search through the riches to find those swords and knives that bear Elven runes upon them. For these works of craftsmanship may be safely gathered and returned to the people who created them. Since we ourselves visit the Elves, these would be worthy gifts to present to our hosts."

"It might also be allowed to take one single object where there is great need, with the intention of returning it later. Beyond that, however, I could not say."

Branda went on, seaking to the entire group of hobbits. "I do not think Bullroarer would object if each of you searched for a single object of Elven craftsmanship, and brought it to him. You must look carefully for the strange runes that are engraved in the metal. This will tell you what objects are safe to touch."

Branda pulled a ring out of a large pile of jewelry that lay nearby and pointed to some fine lettering, "See these runes. This is what you must search for. Then Bullroarer can select from all the objects gathered and decide what would be most fitting to return to our hosts in grateful thanks for their food and assistance. Go now and look, but do so with great caution."

[ January 01, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]