3/18/2018

We grabbed hold of the dry branches and heaved, the soil between the shrivelled roots crumbling away. The dead remains of a once-mighty tree toppled to the ground, and we wiped the sweat from our brows. Then, he grabbed one side, I grabbed the other, and we dragged it through the dirt and under the starry sky.

We made it back to our tent and heaved the roots into the fire pit. Excitement coursing through our veins, we snatched up as much moss as we could find and tossed it in a pile beneath the stump. Finally, I clicked my lighter, carefully holding the small flame to the green bush.

Almost instantly, the pit sprang to life, fire belching out as though Satan himself was suffering the side-effects of a particularly spicy burrito. The flames engulfed the bottom of the tree, which soon lit as well, and we stood side by side, admiring our work.

I glanced at him, his face barely visible in the flickering light. With a grin on my face, I began to sing.

O, misty eye of the mountain below!

He beamed, joining in.

Keep careful watch of my brothers' souls!

We threw our arms around each other, heads turned to the heavens.

And if the sky is filled with fire and smoke...

Our eyes met once more as we finished:

Keep watching over Durin's folk!

He bellowed with laughter, holding out a fist, which was promptly met with the knuckles of my own.

"Can you guys shut up now?" called a voice from the tent behind us.

This was a good night.