Head Man

[altariel]

Head Man

“He was short-legged and fat-armed, thick and stumpy, and clad only with grass about his waist.” RotK, V, ‘The Ride of the Rohirrim’

From the top of a favoured tree, he sits and watches the gathering of the Horse-Men and the Tall-Men, and he listens to the Tallest Man grant to Ghân a forest that is already his.

At last they go, back to their stone houses, back to their bright iron. And old Ghân creeps along secret paths back to the glade, where the children hide-and-seek naked between the trees; where the men and women, grass-skirted, watch and laugh; where the sunshine speckles the green leaves in endless play. And old Ghân sleeps, and he does not fear the future. Not today.

oo0oo

Written for the B2MEM 2011 challenge: Day 8. Write a story or poem or create a piece of artwork reflecting identification with or connection to one’s land, country or culture. Or write a story or poem or create a piece of artwork featuring kilts.

Altariel, 31st March 2011

Comments

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Naked hide-and-seek? And I was wondering where Jack Harkness had that idea from...

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Time with the Pukel-Men!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Oh, he would do it! He definitely would do it (them). After all, "gorgeous" is a matter of POV, isn't it?

[altariel.livejournal.com]

They'll have their own beauty!

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

Already told you over on the H-A list how much I liked this - you're the only one in response to this challenge I've seen so far who managed the kilt (or hang on, did Dwim? Can't remember...). A lovely serene counterpoint to all the busy politicking of the Big Men - for some reason I am reminded of Bombadil, and of that fox...

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I've longed to do a drabble about Ghan, and, yes, he seems Bombadil-ish to me too - distanced from the history unfolding (although much more affected by it).

[jhall1.livejournal.com]

Dare I say that he's much less of a pain than Bombadil? :)

Nice piece!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Pshaw!

Glad you liked! ;-)

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

It's not just that he's distanced from it; I think it's something about providing another perspective (at least in this drabble), which very much echoes Tom's concerns with wind and water and foxes and owls; some things are older, longer-lasting and more important than wars or even Rings...

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

he listens to the Tallest Man grant to Ghân a forest that is already his.

*is wryly amused*

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Poor Aragorn can sometimes get a bad press on this journal. He works for us!

[jhall1.livejournal.com]

I would happily sign up for the "Faramir is much better than Aragorn" club should you ever formally launch it. :)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I see the terrible chasm of a fandom flame-war opening before us!

[vasiliki.livejournal.com]

he listens to the Tallest Man grant to Ghân a forest that is already his.

Nice drabble! :)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :-)

[lame-pegasus.livejournal.com]

The whole thing is marvelous, but this is especially exquisite:


At last they go, back to their stone houses, back to their bright iron. And old Ghân creeps along secret paths back to the glade, where the children hide-and-seek naked between the trees; where the men and women, grass-skirted, watch and laugh; where the sunshine speckles the green leaves in endless play.

So beautiful. *applauds*

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I've always wanted the excuse to write about Ghan.

[espresso-addict.livejournal.com]

Loved this. The Horse-Men and the Tall-Men, the forest that is already his, and back to their stone houses, back to their bright iron. Well, all of it really...

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thank you :-)

[wormwood-7.livejournal.com]

Lovely writing!
he listens to the Tallest Man grant to Ghân a forest that is already his.
I can think of several historic parallels....

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

I can think of several historic parallels....

Tragically, yes. Very much in my mind.