PS. Take this as unnecessary post, but I'm sorry for being inactive for so long, that post went up to those times with Fornad and Fjorgyn, and as a fine welcome to our newest tolkienheads, Sprodo and Mim, I wanted to include them in some way, so, that's the result.

I want to stay involved from now on.

Oerath stood still. Cold winds blew past him, and as he looked at the moon, he thought to himself: 'For the first time in centuries, I can sense something evil.. Something approaches from the cold lands of north, I just wonder what it might..'

But he suddenly returned from his own thoughts to notice that someone spoke to him, and with answering the question, he said to the man: 'Yes.. It is very cold indeed, and I may never get used to this darkness, and you're right about that.. Winter is coming, and with it comes many more or less desired things.'

And with blowing a few smoke rings and then sighing, he spoke to the man again: 'Oh, forgive me, you look familiar, but my memory isn't what it used to be in my days of youth. I guess I'm just getting too old.. Anyway.. My name is..

He seemed to doubt it for a while, but then he thought that it'd be impossible, if someone knew him only by the first name, so he continued what he was about to say.

'My name is Oerath. What do they call you?'

Rain was pouring heavily and the wind was howling. Thorin approached the once familiar building and 

was surprised to see that it was dark. Pushing the familiar door open, he walked into the familiar room 

where there were so many great memories of days bygone and the many people who had once sat here, shared stories, joked and laughed together.

Putting on an apron he set about to cleaning and getting the inn back to business. "Gimli must be on 

another one of his journeys," he thought. "I will look after the inn until he gets back!."

It was a very busy hour which followed! All the tables and chairs were dusted, cobwebs were removed, the chimney cleaned and built up with a warm and cheering fire! The many lanterns of the inn were lit! Then Thorin descended into the basement and brought back a barrel of Gimli's Finest (TM)! 
 

Afterwards he moved into the kitchen and set about preparing the famous snacks of this great establishment:  platters of Petite Sandwiches (no crusts); plates with piles of Cinnamon French Crusts with butter and Vermont maple syrup; trays filled with Bar-B-Cued Warg Ribs, Deep Fried Watcher Rings, and Spicy Hot Balrog Wings; a platter of Rabbit-food and Ranch-cheese Dip for our herbivore-only friends; and oodles of frosted cupcakes decorated with axes. 

"We're all set now," Thorin thought. "All we need is for our weary travelers to come back!"

"Oh, and while there isn't anybody around I might as well prepare some rooms for weary travelers wishing to spend the night here!

Thorin was frying some fresh spicpy Balrog Wings when the newcomer came in. A few moment later, and wilt a pint of Gimli's Finest (TM) he walked to the Bard's name and set the drink on his table.

"Welcome Master," he said looking the stranger over and smiling. "It is long since we have had a bard around here! Maybe you could sing us a nice song from the foreign lands once you've quenched your thirst?"

"Also I have some fresh and spicy hot Balrog Wings, bar-B-Cued Warg Ribs and Deep Fried Watcher Rings. Would Master like anything to accompany his drink?"

"If you're after a traditional supper than can be arranged too. And once you've ready to get some sleep please look me up at the counter and I will provide the keys to your room."

Giving the traveler a few moments of though he continued, "Have you decided what you would like as snacks?"

By lighting firebox of his old wooden pipe, the wanderer blew a few smoke rings out of his mouth, and then he looked at the dwarf and said: 'Hmm, I'd like to have some fresh balrog wings, since hearing the name: 'balrog' - always reminds me about my encounter with one, back in the ancient days of Beleriand.'

And suddenly everyone were staring at the bard, and his grin grew even wider. Suddenly his mind raced with strange thoughts, such as: 'Oh yes, A BALROG!' 'Hah! I'm Oerath, um, oh yes, Oerath Windsoul. A wizard, yes.' - But then he managed to put himself back together, and so he shouted at the barkeeper: 'Ey, lad. Give me a new cold one along with those balrog wings. I shall now sing a song to spirit up this windy evening.'

And so he arose to his feet, put his pipe aside and took a flute off his bag, saying: 'Krhöm.. This song is about nature. I wrote it during my latest journey, and it's called: 'Roots of Our Trees.'

Long they are, far they reach

Water is their power, it is what they need

Strong enough to withstand any cuts and hits

So mighty are the roots of our trees

Every forest is full of sunlight

Everyday is joyful and new in their eyes

We share so much in common, and just like us, trees do rest and sleep

Believe it or not, even rest is good for the roots of our trees

A wanderer climbs up the cliifs

Then he looks down, as far as his eyes can see

And then he wonders: I've never seen such long trees even in my daydreams..'

And it's all thanks to those strong and long roots of our trees

And after that, folks clapped their hands together, and bowed, put his flute away and sat down on his chair. Now feeling joyful and full of spirit, he started to laugh madly once again and yelled at the barkeeper: 'Hrahaha! Oy, lad, give me two large pints of beer! Tis' shall be one damn drunky night for Ol' Oerath to remember!'

'Roots of Our Trees - Written by: Otto 'Oerath Windsoul' Timonen

PS. Absolutely great to see that even you, Wen, decided to pass by and post something. Come on, folks, gather around the table to drink and sing! Do some posts, darn it!

For me, you're the barkeeper, Master Thorin!

By the way, care to take a look at my: 'Journeyman' song? It's old and full of.. me.

Thanks for the beer, by the way. I hope the song was worth it. I wrote it in a very, very short time.

I shall post something new by tomorrow. If I remember correctly, you once told me to pass by and post something on occasions, so let us say that I'm merely answering to a request! =)

By the way, Thorin. It's a splendid day to drink, so let us all listen to a superb finnish band!

LONG LIVE KORPIKLAANI! (Korpiklaani - Väkirauta) - type that to youtube, and I'll assure you that it will be one hell of a song.

- Oerath.