The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The Green Dragon Inn

Fordim Hedgethistle · 02-12-2004, 09:14 AM

The situation was beginning to get a bit out of control, but Snaveling had been in worse circumstances and was not really worried by the young Man’s accusations. Nor was he terribly frightened by the youth’s ready grip with his sword. Snaveling disliked the people of Gondor, feared the Elves and was contemptuous of the Halflings, but he knew that the people about him would never allow one Man to slay another, particularly when there was a fire to be fought. The rain had all but put out the fires that Snaveling had set amongst the trees, but at the Inn the innermost rooms were still ablaze. He watched with dismay as some of the more hardy folk – led by a very determined Dwarf – moved into the building to reclaim it from the fire. Snaveling gave up all hope of being able to pilfer anything more (but what have I got in my pocket?).

Snaveling had been stunned by the immediate action of the Ranger Woman in accusing the young Man – he had expected that she would require more convincing, and he was beginning to think that her stern expression masked more thought than met the eye. Dangerous folk these Dunedan he reminded himself. Not to be trusted. He was delighted when the stupid Halfling took up the cry against the young Man, but he was suspicious of this fat little creature – was not he one of the people Snaveling had seen entering the Inn without any water or sand with which to combat the blaze? He had spent his life thieving and could easily read the tale told by those odd shapes beneath the Halfling’s clothes…

An Elf maiden who was tending to the injured stood up and spoke to them roughly, ordering them back to the defense of the Inn. Snaveling stood his ground before the young Man and said, “The Lady is right. Now is not the time to listen to the complaints of a boy, caught playing at a game too dangerous for him.” The youth grew even angrier at these words and his eyes blazed as his hand tightened on the hilt of his weapon. Snaveling saw this and was inwardly delighted. Outwardly, however, he pretended shock and dismay. “An ‘honourable man’, he says. ‘Honourable’ indeed! And yet he threatens to draw his blade on a man twice his age, dressed in little more than rags and with only a hunting knife to defend his poor and miserable life.” Snaveling appealed to the Ranger Woman and the Halfling. “Is this fair? Is this justice? Let us forget this child for now, and save those who can be saved before the Inn is destroyed utterly.”

He turned his back upon the youth and walked toward the Inn.

02-12-2004, 09:14 AM	#253
Fordim Hedgethistle Gibbering Gibbet Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Beyond cloud nine Posts: 1,844	Snaveling The situation was beginning to get a bit out of control, but Snaveling had been in worse circumstances and was not really worried by the young Man’s accusations. Nor was he terribly frightened by the youth’s ready grip with his sword. Snaveling disliked the people of Gondor, feared the Elves and was contemptuous of the Halflings, but he knew that the people about him would never allow one Man to slay another, particularly when there was a fire to be fought. The rain had all but put out the fires that Snaveling had set amongst the trees, but at the Inn the innermost rooms were still ablaze. He watched with dismay as some of the more hardy folk – led by a very determined Dwarf – moved into the building to reclaim it from the fire. Snaveling gave up all hope of being able to pilfer anything more (but what have I got in my pocket?). Snaveling had been stunned by the immediate action of the Ranger Woman in accusing the young Man – he had expected that she would require more convincing, and he was beginning to think that her stern expression masked more thought than met the eye. Dangerous folk these Dunedan he reminded himself. Not to be trusted. He was delighted when the stupid Halfling took up the cry against the young Man, but he was suspicious of this fat little creature – was not he one of the people Snaveling had seen entering the Inn without any water or sand with which to combat the blaze? He had spent his life thieving and could easily read the tale told by those odd shapes beneath the Halfling’s clothes… An Elf maiden who was tending to the injured stood up and spoke to them roughly, ordering them back to the defense of the Inn. Snaveling stood his ground before the young Man and said, “The Lady is right. Now is not the time to listen to the complaints of a boy, caught playing at a game too dangerous for him.” The youth grew even angrier at these words and his eyes blazed as his hand tightened on the hilt of his weapon. Snaveling saw this and was inwardly delighted. Outwardly, however, he pretended shock and dismay. “An ‘honourable man’, he says. ‘Honourable’ indeed! And yet he threatens to draw his blade on a man twice his age, dressed in little more than rags and with only a hunting knife to defend his poor and miserable life.” Snaveling appealed to the Ranger Woman and the Halfling. “Is this fair? Is this justice? Let us forget this child for now, and save those who can be saved before the Inn is destroyed utterly.” He turned his back upon the youth and walked toward the Inn.