**The Barrow-Downs Birthday Mailbag - May 2006** - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Child of the 7th Age · 05-05-2006, 01:39 AM

Cami sat down at the desk, took out a fresh packet of paper, and her very finest ink pen. For the next twenty minutes, she stared blankly at the topmost sheet, pulling out a word here and there, while hoping for inspiration to strike. When no lightning bolt was forthcoming, she resigned herself to the fact that she would have to come up with something to say, if only for the sake of politeness. She had not the slightest shred of inspiration to assist her in the task.

So be it! There had been many a day that she had managed to scratch out an RPG post even after all cleverness had fled, despite the fact that the bare words stared mockingly back at her. Wadding up one sheet already smeared with illegible chicken scrawl, she selected the next clean leaf and began to write very quickly, scarcely thinking about what she was saying.

Her missive read as follows:

Quote:

Master Wight,

To be blunt, this has been a bit of a hard-knock year. Even the little things of life can pile up on one's plate and give a poor hobbit considerable headaches: minor aches and pains, a dear relative who has passed away after a hard illness, the fact that one of my young lads is about to venture out on his own and be swept down the road to who knows where (a source of both pride and sadness for his slightly bewildered mother).

With so much nonsense going on, I have not been able to come to the Downs as frequently as I would have liked. I've had no time for the Books forum and can scarcely keep up with things in the Shire. Still, there have been many a day when this little place has been a source of great merriment and relief. Tired and footsore, I turned a corner, left behind a few worldly headaches and found a haven in Middle-earth: a friend or two who will listen to me rant along with a little piece of time that I can claim as my own to write.

I mean it quite sincerely when I thank you for starting this site so that kindred spirits can meet and share. You have done more good than you know. My kindest regards to you and your family on this happy occasion. May you reap some of the light hearted moments that you have so generously provided for us at the Downs.

Your devoted Shire resident,

Cami Goodchild

piosenniel · 05-05-2006, 03:25 AM

About mid-day they came to a hill whose top was wide and flattened, like a shallow saucer with a green mounded rim. Inside there was no air stirring, and the sky seemed near their heads... 'Splendid!' said Frodo. 'If we make as good going this afternoon as we have done this morning, we shall have left the Downs before the Sun sets and be jogging on in search of a camping place.' But even as he spoke he turned his glance eastwards, and he saw that on that side the hills were higher and looked down upon them; and all those hills were crowned with green mounds, and on some were standing stones, pointing upwards like jagged teeth out of green gums.

That view was somehow disquieting; so they turned from the sight and went down into the hollow circle. In the midst of it there stood a single stone, standing tall under the sun above, and at this hour casting no shadow. It was shapeless and yet significant: like a landmark, or a guarding finger, or more like a warning . . .

Raising a pint to you, dear Wight! This place you've made for us has been, and continues to be, a lovely site to wander about in.

Happy Birthday to the B-D . . . & many more happy returns of the day . . .

~*~ Pio

Guinevere · 05-05-2006, 01:21 PM

from a downer who is neither inspired nor eloquent, but very grateful to be a member of this wonderful site for nearly 4 years now.

(To decipher the Tengwar, this site is useful)

dancing spawn of ungoliant · 05-06-2006, 12:39 PM

Dear Mr. Wight,

It's not a simbelmyne, but you are the stem that keeps this place blooming and makes us flourish, too.
Thank you. For everything.

With best regards,
dancing spawn of ungoliant

edit: For those who wish to see the flower in actual size...

wilwarin538 · 05-06-2006, 01:30 PM

Next there was a small note taped to a jar. The jar contained a beautiful green butterfly.

Cailín · 05-06-2006, 02:39 PM

The next letter Mr. Wight found was scribbled down hastily and blotted with tears, in such a fashion that the message was almost illegible. Which might have been just as well.

Quote:

Dear Lord Wight,

Happy (belated) 6th Birthday! Though I have only been a part of this fabulous grave mound for less than a year, I know of no place where I could enjoy the afterlife more. Thank you so much for this most outstanding community. I love it here.

*sniff* Birthdays make me sentimental.

Warmest wishes,

Cailín

Thinlómien · 05-07-2006, 03:44 AM

After reading Cailín's letter, Mister Wight found a light blue envelope. He opened it, and found a letter. It read:

Happy birthday to you, honourable Mr. Wight and to your sweet barrow that has brought so much joy to so many people.

Greetings from the ice bay of Forochel. I'm here to meet my cousins and they send you their congratulations as well.

Best wishes,
Thinlómien

P.S. I'm the one in the middle.

Intrigued by the post script, the Barrow-Wight looked into the envelope one more time. He found this:

05-05-2006, 03:25 AM	#2
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	About mid-day they came to a hill whose top was wide and flattened, like a shallow saucer with a green mounded rim. Inside there was no air stirring, and the sky seemed near their heads... 'Splendid!' said Frodo. 'If we make as good going this afternoon as we have done this morning, we shall have left the Downs before the Sun sets and be jogging on in search of a camping place.' But even as he spoke he turned his glance eastwards, and he saw that on that side the hills were higher and looked down upon them; and all those hills were crowned with green mounds, and on some were standing stones, pointing upwards like jagged teeth out of green gums. That view was somehow disquieting; so they turned from the sight and went down into the hollow circle. In the midst of it there stood a single stone, standing tall under the sun above, and at this hour casting no shadow. It was shapeless and yet significant: like a landmark, or a guarding finger, or more like a warning . . . Raising a pint to you, dear Wight! This place you've made for us has been, and continues to be, a lovely site to wander about in. Happy Birthday to the B-D . . . & many more happy returns of the day . . . ~*~ Pio __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.

05-06-2006, 12:39 PM	#4
dancing spawn of ungoliant Mischievous Candle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: So near to Russia, so far from Japan, quite a long way from Cairo, lots of miles from Vietnam. Posts: 1,234	Dear Mr. Wight, It's not a simbelmyne, but you are the stem that keeps this place blooming and makes us flourish, too. Thank you. For everything. With best regards, dancing spawn of ungoliant edit: For those who wish to see the flower in actual size... __________________ Fenris Wolf Last edited by dancing spawn of ungoliant; 05-10-2006 at 02:13 PM.

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