Shadow
As Halbarad was crossing the Baranduin, he stopped and turned back. Aragorn had already vanished on the other side, like a shadow at midnight. Halbarad smiled, recalling a conversation with one of the small folk from the past week.
"I am seeking one named Strider, a man like myself," Halbarad had said to the post mistress at Bywater.
She cast a shrewd eye on the tall, weather-stained traveler. No doubt she saw greasy hair and a beard that needed trimming a month ago. "Ain't no striding men around here, but some say that all kinds of strangers pass through The Prancing Pony over in Bree."
"Thank you m'lady," Halbarad said with a nod.
The post mistress smiled, a blush staining her plump cheeks. "Well, ain't you a gentleman. In case I see this striding man, who might I say you are called?"
"They call me Shadow," he said, noting her surprise and a return to guarded skepticism.
The halflings loved to gossip, and Halbarad only had to mention his Ranger nickname once for it to fly all over the Shire and land in Strider's ear.
Inspired by the Lord of the Rings saga by JRR Tolkien.
Art and text: Mickey Kulp, 2022
"I am seeking one named Strider, a man like myself," Halbarad had said to the post mistress at Bywater.
She cast a shrewd eye on the tall, weather-stained traveler. No doubt she saw greasy hair and a beard that needed trimming a month ago. "Ain't no striding men around here, but some say that all kinds of strangers pass through The Prancing Pony over in Bree."
"Thank you m'lady," Halbarad said with a nod.
The post mistress smiled, a blush staining her plump cheeks. "Well, ain't you a gentleman. In case I see this striding man, who might I say you are called?"
"They call me Shadow," he said, noting her surprise and a return to guarded skepticism.
The halflings loved to gossip, and Halbarad only had to mention his Ranger nickname once for it to fly all over the Shire and land in Strider's ear.
Inspired by the Lord of the Rings saga by JRR Tolkien.
Art and text: Mickey Kulp, 2022
///
Comments
Post a Comment