Snowed In

Snowed In


'I beg your pardon?'

'I said, "We're snowed in", sir.'

'Oh.' A pause while the matter was considered. Clear, grey eyes assessed him.

'Are you absolutely certain it is not possible to continue? I need to attend the meeting most urgently.'

'We could dig our way out of this cabin without too much trouble, but I checked the paths quite a ways in both directions and they are completely covered in snow. The journey would be very hard on the horses; and dangerous, as it is impossible to discern the icy patches beneath the snow.'

He swallowed - what a doomed way to begin his new duties! - then continued with as firm a voice as he could manage,

'I cannot allow you to travel on.'

Another pause, then a disbelieving voice.

'You cannot allow me ...?'

'No sir, I am afraid not'. Shoulders back, face forward. Do not wince.

'Aha. Well, as you are in charge of my safety, I shall take your word for it.'

His sigh of relief could have blown a ship straight across the sea.

'Thank you, master Elrond!'

'Don't mention it, Haldir. I’m not unreasonable, you know.'

'Of course not, sir. Of course not.'

***


200 words, as counted by MS Word.