Post by Admin on Jan 8, 2021 1:12:26 GMT
Author: Raksha the Demon
Ranking: 2nd place
“Faramir, Bard has sent me a most perplexing gift for my birthday. Look at this - thing! I am not sure whether it is meant to be a work of art or a lawn ornament. Can you tell the thing’s purpose?”
“A puzzle, for sure. I have never seen its like. It is wood, but not painted as one might expect of a doll or an ornamental figure, neither large nor small. The proportions seem quite accurate, and the features well-carved. Perhaps Bard is trying to impress you with his cleverness and win a contract to help rebuild Osgiliath; he has offered to send dwarves and other skilled artisans.”
“Is it supposed to be a fair likeness of a dwarf? I do not want Gimli to take offense. Perhaps, if you squint at a certain angle, you could take it for Glóin...That is, if Glóin were far more stout.
“Look, Aragorn, there is a small key on the figure's back. Allow me to turn it.”
“Wait. Bard's grandfather enjoyed japes; he was quite the talk of the town when I visited Dale under the Dragon-Shooter’s rule. I would not have the thing explode and cover you with seeds or more noisome materials. Stand back and I will turn the key.”
“Very well, my King.”
“There, it is turning - what? Oof.”
“Fear not, it did not break. Why, there is music coming from it. Rather tinny and simple, but still a tune.”
“They are wondrous clever artisans, those Dalesmen! Look, its arms move!
“Indeed. Shall we put the musical dwarf in a place of honor with the other gifts?”
“I suppose we should. Wait, I see something under the hat.”
“It is a message from Bard himself, I recognize his hand.”
“What does he say, Aragorn?”
“Hah! Bard waxes boastful on the skill of his craftsmen. He says that this is a marvelous toy beloved by the children of Dale. The tune is a new song by some well-loved dwarf-bards; they sing of going to work, with a childish refrain of "Hi ho".
“'Tis a clever ploy to advance the reputation of Dale's greatest resource, the land's artisans and crafters. In one gift, Bard reminds us that such mechanisms that we would regard as highly advanced pieces of skill are merely children's toys in his realm.”
“True, but Eldarion will enjoy the toy. It is delightful. I wonder if the legs move, and if it could walk?”
“Perhaps I should leave you alone with your marvelous toy.”
“Do not smirk, Faramir.”
“I remember a certain afternoon when you and I fought the Battle of Fornost with your army of silver toy soldiers from Imladris. I nearly had to drag you away by force for the meeting with the Guild-Masters.”
“Perhaps...Yet I remember you also lost track of the time while driving the armies of Angmar into Lake Evendim.”
“I will admit to that.”
”How shall we answer this gift; think you, Faramir? Send a thankful letter by way of Bard’s envoy, and praise the skill of the toymakers of Dale?”
“Sometimes a toy is just a toy, Aragorn. And yet, sometimes, even crowned heads play games. I would offer Bard a good wage for his artisans’ aid in the repair of the water pipes of Osgiliath. At the same time, we might see if Gimli and his dwarves could make some singing toys to sell to the children of Gondor and Rohan, to begin a toy-making industry in both lands. I think little wooden singing hobbits would be charming, as long as they do not resemble our friends in particular.”
“Or toy Elves, my friend. I would pay good coin to see a little painted wooden singing Legolas, myself.”
Author’s Note: The story is partially inspired by “The Marvelous Toy”, a song by Peter, Paul & Mary.
www.lyricsfreak.com/p/peter+paul+mary/the+marvelous+toy_20107764.html
Ranking: 2nd place
“Faramir, Bard has sent me a most perplexing gift for my birthday. Look at this - thing! I am not sure whether it is meant to be a work of art or a lawn ornament. Can you tell the thing’s purpose?”
“A puzzle, for sure. I have never seen its like. It is wood, but not painted as one might expect of a doll or an ornamental figure, neither large nor small. The proportions seem quite accurate, and the features well-carved. Perhaps Bard is trying to impress you with his cleverness and win a contract to help rebuild Osgiliath; he has offered to send dwarves and other skilled artisans.”
“Is it supposed to be a fair likeness of a dwarf? I do not want Gimli to take offense. Perhaps, if you squint at a certain angle, you could take it for Glóin...That is, if Glóin were far more stout.
“Look, Aragorn, there is a small key on the figure's back. Allow me to turn it.”
“Wait. Bard's grandfather enjoyed japes; he was quite the talk of the town when I visited Dale under the Dragon-Shooter’s rule. I would not have the thing explode and cover you with seeds or more noisome materials. Stand back and I will turn the key.”
“Very well, my King.”
“There, it is turning - what? Oof.”
“Fear not, it did not break. Why, there is music coming from it. Rather tinny and simple, but still a tune.”
“They are wondrous clever artisans, those Dalesmen! Look, its arms move!
“Indeed. Shall we put the musical dwarf in a place of honor with the other gifts?”
“I suppose we should. Wait, I see something under the hat.”
“It is a message from Bard himself, I recognize his hand.”
“What does he say, Aragorn?”
“Hah! Bard waxes boastful on the skill of his craftsmen. He says that this is a marvelous toy beloved by the children of Dale. The tune is a new song by some well-loved dwarf-bards; they sing of going to work, with a childish refrain of "Hi ho".
“'Tis a clever ploy to advance the reputation of Dale's greatest resource, the land's artisans and crafters. In one gift, Bard reminds us that such mechanisms that we would regard as highly advanced pieces of skill are merely children's toys in his realm.”
“True, but Eldarion will enjoy the toy. It is delightful. I wonder if the legs move, and if it could walk?”
“Perhaps I should leave you alone with your marvelous toy.”
“Do not smirk, Faramir.”
“I remember a certain afternoon when you and I fought the Battle of Fornost with your army of silver toy soldiers from Imladris. I nearly had to drag you away by force for the meeting with the Guild-Masters.”
“Perhaps...Yet I remember you also lost track of the time while driving the armies of Angmar into Lake Evendim.”
“I will admit to that.”
”How shall we answer this gift; think you, Faramir? Send a thankful letter by way of Bard’s envoy, and praise the skill of the toymakers of Dale?”
“Sometimes a toy is just a toy, Aragorn. And yet, sometimes, even crowned heads play games. I would offer Bard a good wage for his artisans’ aid in the repair of the water pipes of Osgiliath. At the same time, we might see if Gimli and his dwarves could make some singing toys to sell to the children of Gondor and Rohan, to begin a toy-making industry in both lands. I think little wooden singing hobbits would be charming, as long as they do not resemble our friends in particular.”
“Or toy Elves, my friend. I would pay good coin to see a little painted wooden singing Legolas, myself.”
Author’s Note: The story is partially inspired by “The Marvelous Toy”, a song by Peter, Paul & Mary.
www.lyricsfreak.com/p/peter+paul+mary/the+marvelous+toy_20107764.html