#turithir

A page from a book bound in leather, found carefully hidden in the drawer of the desk which Turi uses to write her music.

There are many pages in this book, formerly blank, but now filled with drawings of increasing skill. This one lies in the middle, seemingly returned to often; the book now falls open naturally to it.

The drawings are done roughly in lead. There is a note in the margin which reads: “You were once called ‘Sunflower’ by another, but you must know you are my sunflower now and always. No flower better captures your golden radiance, yet no flower could contain all that you hold.”

The book is not meant to be found for many years.

11: How do they spend New Year’s Eve?

~

The patrons currently visiting the Thorin’s Hall Inn had been waiting longer than expected, but none of them minded. They talked among themselves, their voices a deep but quiet rumble in the unusually subdued room. Even the bartender was not whistling as he usually did while he polished glasses with a cloth until they gleamed.

They were all there for a purpose, even if they usually had to be there. They would wait as long as necessary, just to catch a glimpse of Turi Goldenbeard.

Fortunately for the assembled dwarves, they would be getting more than just a glimpse that evening. The beautiful minstrel would be playing a full set of songs on her lute or harp or flute, sometimes alone and sometimes accompanied by her rich melodious voice. It did not matter to them which combination they recieved. It was almost enough to simply be in her presence.

A hush fell around the group as the door opened and Turi walked in, her warm smile seeming to reach everyone individually. She was carrying a small harp, which would then be her intrument for the evening, but most eyes were riveted to the dwarf woman herself. Her dress was a velvet in the deep burgundy color of wine, trimmed with braid of bright gold; it fit her so well that it could not have been more alluring were it made of less fabric, and Turi was not that sort of woman in any case. The soft waves of her golden hair and beard, from which she took her name, were adorned with beads of gold set with tiny rubies which winked in the torchlight. Her whole being seemed to possess a soft glow in this light, and the patrons were utterly enchanted before she even played a single note.

All remained silent as she stood on the small stage and lifted the harp, her fingers beginning to dance across the strings as she played the first tune. There were many more after it, all of them filling the room with the sweet sound of her voice and the melody of the harp. Turi easily held the entire crowd captivated for well over an hour, most of them forgetting where they were in the beauty of her presence and her music.

After the last note had been played and Turi had bowed to thunderous applause and shouts of adoration, she disappeared through the door again and the patrons began to speak to each other once more. They each had a favorite song, and each had thought the minstrel’s eyes were on them during specific parts of the performance, and each argued their case as to why Turi should pay particular attention to them.

The last picture I took of them together in Forochel. ;_; (although we will obviously visit again)