[Annunfuiniel]

Vráin sat in the chill dusk, wrapped in his cloak. He huddled near a small fire and fed it with dry sticks and bark. Flames flickered on the leafless tree trunks nearby and dyed them red.

Vráin gazed over the camp at his sleeping companions and cursed his luck. How on earth had Gráin managed to trick him like this - again? Vráin tried to think back to the earlier conversation but he was quite sure there had not been any talk on watches. "You noticed it too? Yes, Vráin's a real sleepyhead, as our mother always calls him. He could never be up all night! Am I right, Vráin?" These words exclaimed by Gráin had evidently sent Vráin off balance and he had answered something rash; for the next thing he knew was that everyone thanked him for taking the night watch and then they were off to bed - leaving him pondering what had just happened.

Vráin sighed heavily but the sigh ended in long yawn. The day and travel had been long though they hadn't had to use their own legs anymore. Vráin eyed the grazing horses and ponies still a bit distrustfully. Solid ground, that's what a dwarf needs under his feet.

Vráin stood up and trodded back and forth kicking pebbles. I will not give Gráin the pleasure to find me fast asleep in the morning! he thought and fought the drowsiness. Some small rodent squeaked in the bushes. Vráin picked up a small stone and threw it where he thought the sound came from. There was a rustle and a soft thump as the rock hit its target. But Vráin had no time to triumph for presently there came another rustling sound – from the other side of the camp.

Vráin was at once alert and fully awake. The air was now still, there was no wind blowing in the boughs. Vráin crept across the open place and halted near where his companions slept. He observed the forest in the dieing light of the fire. Everything was peaceful and Vráin started to doubt his own ears. Some of the Elves and Men stirred in their sleep. Maybe that was the sound that I heard.

Vráin walked back to what was now a red ember. He sat down and leaned back to a tree trunk. His eyelids weighed like lead and sleep got the better of his will more than once.

~~~~~~~~~~

Once again Vráin started awake when his beard touched his knees. This won't do, he mused. Vráin stood up and tried to shake off the drowsiness. He chose an old stump by the dying fire for his next seat. Sitting on it he couldn't fall asleep without at once falling down.

Vráin was just about to stir the live coals when he heard the rustle again, now louder and clearer. There was no doubt anymore: some wild beast was near, lurking about the camp.

The blade of Vráin’s axe gleamed in the dark as he drew it from his belt. He opened his mouth for a call but then snapped it shut. What if it’s just a rabbit? Wouldn’t Gráin just love that! No, I’ll go alone and show him!

Once more Vráin slipped past the sleeping Elves, Men and Dwarves and then dashed into the shadows.

[ June 02, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]