In the middle of the clearing was what might have been mistaken for a dirty, disheveled sack, tossed to the side and forgotten from many years past. Yet as I looked closer, I perceived that it was not a sack at all, but the form of a living being. His hands and legs were broad and his body brawny, though I could tell his height was small, even as he lay on the ground. I did not think he could be but a foot taller than I. Coarse black hair stuck out from his head and on his face was a thick beard that would have caused the illusion of a hairy animal, if it hadn�t been that I could see eyes and a nose peeking out above the hair. But what caused me to stop and take pause was the terrible condition of this figure. One eye was swollen, his lip was cut in two places, and his arms and legs bled from several jagged wounds. Bruises adorned his body and made him look more purple than flesh colored. He was bound with a wide, thick rope and I heard shallow breathing coming from his mouth. He had not stirred since we came to the clearing and I could tell in an instant that he was unconscious.
I began to take a step towards this sorry creature when Lanthir put a hand on my shoulder. �It could be a trap.�
Looking back at the pathetic form I found my heart stirred with pity. �I don�t believe it is.� I walked forward and heard Lanthir breath in sharply behind me. I knew he didn�t like what I was doing, but I could think of nothing else. It was either see what this creature was or leave him be and I couldn�t bear the thought of moving on without helping someone in need. When we had come within a few feet of the body, Lanthir snorted derisively and I looked up curiously.
�It�s a Dwarf!� He said the word �dwarf� with so much scorn I almost felt his hate was directed towards me.
�Let us depart this place.� Lanthir turned to leave, but I stood still, my eyes wide in amazement at the cruelty I was seeing in my guide. Hadn�t he been the one willing to give his life? And now he was willing to let another�s life pass away?
When Priscilla did not follow either, looking at me with a face that told me she felt the same as I, Lanthir turned back to look at us.
�We cannot waste time. We must go.�
�But he�s in trouble. We must do what we can for him.�
Lanthir didn�t even glance at the piteous creature again. �He�s a Dwarf! In the middle of this wasteland, far from his usual haunts. Something is evil about him, I sense it.�
�How can you tell?� It was Priscilla�s turn to challenge the Elf.
�Dwarves have always been the same! Secretive, hiding, never open with their allies. We have a long past with them and I can testify to their treachery. I will not help a dwarf.�
This prejudice from Lanthir I had expected. But I knew that whether he stayed or not, I would not leave this bedraggled character lying motionless on the ground. Something in me felt a kinship to him.
�I don�t care if he�s a Dwarf or not. And they can�t be as bad as you say, anyway. I was rescued by two Dwarves when I was an infant and they would not have done that if they were as selfish as you make out. Your people have healing powers and you can help him. Wasn�t it the Dolenwaith who took pity on my kin? Wouldn�t the Lady have enough compassion to spare on a creature such as this?�
I surprised even myself with this little speech. I hadn�t meant to take on Lanthir so vehemently, but I was frustrated with his reluctance to help those in need and felt he was dishonoring all his people stood for. Lanthir made no sign of change until the end of my protest when I mentioned the Lady. I suppose the thought of what his mother would do pricked his conscience. His face fell, yet his eyes remained hard as stone. He walked back over to us and knelt beside the Dwarf.
�Fine. I will help him. But what comes of this will be on your own head.�
With that, he went to work. Priscilla and I made ourselves useful by gathering wood for a fire and after struggling to start one, we finally found ourselves huddled together before it, watching Lanthir work in silence. What exactly Lanthir was doing we could not tell, but his hands were in constant contact with the Dwarf�s body, concentrating often around the other�s wounds. As he went about his work, we heard a continual soft humming coming from his lips. Never did he look pleased with what he was doing, but he went at his task like all others; without a doubt I knew he was working as diligently and passionately as he had when protecting us from the wolves. When the night had waxed full, Lanthir abruptly stopped his movements and came to sit by us near the fire.
�He will live.� He said it with his matter-of-fact tone, as if he did not care. Then his voice hardened. �He will wake in the morning and then we will find why he is here and what he has been up to.�
I sighed. I was not looking forward to the morning. Lanthir refused to remove the Dwarf�s bonds and insisted on sitting up all night as a guard over him. For hours now, I have lain quiet, wondering who this Dwarf is, why he is here and what he has to do with us. Is he a threat? I suppose only the morning will bring forth his secrets.