Farmer in the Dale RPG

[Child of the 7th Age]

Elanor could not believe how many people had managed to escape from Dale and find their way down to Long Lake. The trail going south was crowded with horses and stray animals as well as families pushing wheelbarrows or carrying possessions on their back, whatever they had managed to salvage.

Despite everyone's relief to be away from Smaug, the group was subdued and grim. Many of the families had lost everything they owned. Far worse were the injuries they had suffered or the fact that many kinfolk and friends had fallen forever under the wyrm's fierce assault.

Elanor tried not to think about her father, but she knew that her mother was worried. Even little Eric and Eli had not run off to explore once the families had set up their new campsite, but sat quietly off to the side with their shoulders drooping and their eyes full of sadness.

Nor was Willow the only one worried. The Queen had politely said her goodbyes to the Millwinds, promising that she would not forget them, and had then gone off to join the other members of her household. But Elanor could plainly see that, underneath her pleasant exterior, the woman was deeply troubled. What chance was there that either of their men had survived? Already it was early evening and there had been no word of what had happened after they left the streets of Dale.

Elian was the first to see him. Bringing water to the men who guarded the settlers, Elian had peered out over the plain and spied a lone rider just beyond the edge of camp, slumped in the saddle and barely managing to stay upright. The lad let out a yelp that was loud enough for both the Millwood and Whitfield families to hear from where they had gathered to eat dinner. Little Eric leapt up, his food tumblng to the ground as he raced across the meandow towards the slumped figure who now lifted up his head and stared groggily towards them.

[Regin Hardhammer]

Eric was sitting at the camp fire trying to eat his chicken, but found it very hard. It was already dark and his father still had not returned. He could not bear to think what would happen if his father did not come back. Imagining the dragon munching on his father was not a comfortable thought. Someone had already told him that the king had been slain. Eric had been attacked by the dragon, but had managed to escape the beast. He only hoped that his father had done the same.

Eric's heart lept as he saw the party returning to the camp, his father in the middle of the pack. He ran to greet his father overcome with joy and relief.

"Oh Daddy, Daddy, I'm so glad your back. I missed you so much and I was worried about you. Now I know how you felt when I went missing. I love you so much."

He hugged his father so tightly that he felt the air being squeezed out of him. His father looked very tired and had a broken arm, but Eric was just glad he had made it back home.

[Child of the 7th Age]

In years to come, the Whitfields and the Millwinds were to see their fortunes turn for the better. The widowed Queen still had friends and continued to look out for the families' interests, grateful for the help they had given in rescuing her daughter. She did not remarry, but focused her attention on her children.

Both the Whitfields and Millwinds came to occupy two sturdy farmsteads on the outskirts of Esgaroth: they held more land than they had possessed in Dale and enjoyed connections with the wealthiest of merchants, who vyed to purchase their crops and livestock.

All of the children -- Elian, Elanor, Eric, and Eli and even timid Daisy -- made sound marriages and lived to old age in the relative peace of Long Lake. Yet, always they were alert for the rare incursions of the wyrm, and his terrible visage haunted their dreams and that of their children. Still the Queen swore that her children or their descendents would someday avenge the death of Girion and rid the people of the wyrm. But therein lies another tale that goes far beyond the bounds of this one.....

~ Finis