The Return of a Halfling!

[Larry Shortoak 297]

 

~*~

Larry Shortoak, a name that the people of Axios may or may not have forgotten. The disappearance of the small Halfling had swept across the Halflings, Druids and close friends and yet no one knew what had happened, even to those who had been by his side just moments before. The mystery causing great confusion among those that still cared.

 

Many months had passed since the supposed death of the Halfling Elder, the loud partying and drinking had once again resumed around the Halfling village, the splashing of water from the lake, mugs of ale being filled from within the tavern, laughter and shouting as the townsfolk appeared to have forgotten about the mystery that had surrounded one of their previous Elders.

 

On a normal clear day, a day like any other, a strange figure with a scruffy beard hobbled through the different paths of the Halfling village. The short, yet stout individual seemed somewhat familiar to the townsfolk, he clearly remembered them as he waved to each Halfling, however, many of the new'uns not recognizing the older Halfing.

 

As the figure approached the tavern, the sun began to shine off his now rough skin, similar to that of bark from a tree. Anyone close could tell the individual was either in shock or disbelief with each breath taken sounding heavy and loud as if he was in pain. The short Halfling obviously knew his way around the village, his steps not diverting from their intended path.

 

Once the figure stepped inside the small tavern, his pace would increase towards the kegs behind the counter, each step making a tapping noise across the wooden floorboards. As he swiftly grabbed a mug from the counter he would approach the one marked with 'Shortoak Stout' before filling a mug with the liquid and downing it all in the space of a couple of seconds.

As many different Halflings watched on in amazement of the feat, the short man would lift his now empty mug, a saddened look on his face as he spoke.

 

"I be' ye never expected te see this ol' 'alflin' again after tha’ idiotic letter I wro’e, bu’ tha’s besides the poin’. .

I' seems I 'ave los' me wooden pipe. None o' ye 'ave found i' 'ave ye?" he’d say hurriedly as he caught his breath.

 

The Halflings that had gathered around would continue to stare, many shaking their heads at the question. Each obviously confused by the sudden re-appearance of the short Elder.

 

"Wha' are ye starin' a'? De I 'ave somethin' stuck in me teeth?" the former Elder spoke simply, lifting his hand to use his fingernail to pick in between his two front teeth.

 

The silence had begun to grow awkward, many of the halflings gathered had begun scratching the back of their necks or yawning so the Elder went to grab a handful of mugs, filling them all with different ales from behind the bar before placing them on one of the nearby tables.

 

“Drink up before I die o’ this silence, i’s killin’ me!” he’d say with a smirk before filling his own back up again.

 

As the night fell upon the lands the Halflings drank, partied of the return and joked around.

Larry Shortoak would state simply. "I’m glad te be back.”

~*~

 

[Starfelt 1437]

Aiden would hear rumors of the halflings return. He'd glance down to the beaver that Larry befriends "Bucky.. I swear I'm going to beat him back to the grave.." He'd murmur, chuckling lightly with the beaver.

[Calioos 91]

"I swear I'm gonna beat those knuckle heads... Still better than having one of my ex's return though." Calius exclaims upon re-meeting his old friend, adding the final part with a mere shrug.

[herculean_wud 3662]

"zKwEAlUR ZUuP!" Says Wud, bashing his spoon against the over-sized chopping board he used as a shield, "zKwEAklUr zuUp!" He repeated, cantering off to the halfling village to greet the returning hobbit with a vat of hot water and various vegetables. 

[Gridlock 1033]

"Looks like meat's back on the menu boys." Shouts an uruk before leading a huntingparty to track down and kill the hobbit.

[Gladuos 869]

Jeremiah hears of Larry's return, sudden relief and surprise washing over his face.

"Where's 'e been, tha' feckin' ninny?!" he exclaims as he starts making his way around the village.

[Moochael 730]

Berilac sighs.

[MangoArt 399]

"Yay!" Merry exclaimed.

 

Petyr was depressed he does not have his afterlife halfling friend with him anymore.

[----- 838]

"I'm glad Larry's doin' foine." Says Rupert from the seven skies.