Normally Brumirr only spent a night outside while hunting for game, but his daughters were adamant about experiencing a camping trip this weekend-- and he wanted to please his daughters! Although, he made sure to scout out an area, making sure it's safe, before taking his family there.
They journeyed through the snowy woods until they found a camp-ground with a fire pit. Brumirr set down two folded tents along with a bag of provisions for the next day and a half. He didn't expect they'd be out very long, even enough to sleep through the night. He knew his daughters wouldn't last long without the comfort of their bed. He chuckled at the thought, shaking his head slightly.
Helandrael smiled over at Brumirr, sneaking an arm behind his back as she whispered in his ear. "What is it?"
Brumirr chuckled again. "Nothin', I just don' think we'll be stayin' out ere' very long." He glanced up at his girls, already seeing them clutching to one another from the harsh breeze. He pecked his wife's lips and announced, "Why don' I start ye a fire, now?" He trudged up the snow-peaked hill and kneeled down by the fire pit gathering a piece of flint and pulling out his trusty steel dagger.
Both girls quickly murmured to him. "Yes, Papa. Please!"
It's been over thirty years of being a father and still whenever they called Brumirr "Papa" a surge of pride resonated within him, resulting in the biggest grin on his face.
He struck the flint to the dagger several times, successfully creating a few sparks that helped the fire build. He cupped his hands around his mouth and blew on the fire, urging it to grow. He took a step back once he was satisfied with his work.
The girls huddled around the fire, crouching down with their hands out. "Thank you Papa!" both exclaimed.
Despite the ever-growing cold conditions, Brumirr begun to set up their tents. One for his wife and him and the other for his daughters. He busied himself quietly while Helandrael set out the girls' bags to be put in their tent.
Once Brumirr finished setting up their tents, he placed all their personal belongings in them. He reached inside briefly to grab a pair of old gloves to slip onto his numb hands. He turned around, ready to head back to the fire pit so he could warm himself up too.
"Ye better make some room for me!" He yelled playfully at Bruell and Mirlan. He lumbered towards his girls, but a flash of metal caught his eye halting his movements His shoulders tensed as he peered into the trees, trying to catch another glimpse. The sound of a twig snapping near the campsite caught his attention.
Without taking his eyes off the forest, he took a step back and reached behind him for his axe. He lifted the heavy weapon with ease just as two dwarves entered the clearing. They looked out of sorts; stumbling over each other, clothes a rumpled mess, and twigs and leaves sticking out of their hair.
One of the dwarves caught Brumirr's eye and stared at him in bewilderment. They didn't seem to know where they were. The other dwarf pulled out his dagger shakily, "Y-Yer one o' 'em!" he slurred. "A Dourhand!"
Brumirr narrowed his brows in understanding. They were Longbeards, just wanting to pick a fight as always. Not wanting to have the situation get out of hand, Brumirr caught Helandrael's eye silently conveying that she take the girls somewhere safe.
Helandrael shuffled over to the girls, pushing Bruell behind herself. She reached out for Mirlan, but the dagger-holding Longbeard snatched her. He wrapped his free arm around her waist tightly and held his dagger up to her throat; his eyes fearfully switching back and forth from Brumirr's to Helandrael's. He began to frantically yell, "Ye murdered my family! So why shouldna I murder yers!"
Brumirr glared harshly at the deserter, "I didna murder yer family." He clutched his axe behind his back. Small whimpers from Mirlan caught his eye; he gave her a look of promise saying 'Everything is going to be alright'. She nodded slightly.
The Longbeard ignored Brumirr's words, clearly mad with grief. "Yes, ye did! Ye murdered my little dwarrow and my wife!" Anger and resentment flashed through his eyes right before he slit Mirlan's throat. Blood began to gush from her neck, quickly covering the deserter's hands and Mirlan's clothes. She slowly reached up to stop the bleeding, but it was too late. The life in her eyes drained rapidly.
Brumirr stood still with his mouth agape, the words of a ghost on the tip of his tongue. His whole body began shaking at the sight in front of him. He faintly heard Helandrael scream in horror.
The Longbeard dropped Mirlan's body in a heap on the snowy ground, blood seeping into the white surface. He took a few hesitant steps back and shook his head in denial, not wanting to believe he actually killed the child.
Brumirr finally regained his resolve, yelling as he threw his axe into the dazed Longbeard's chest. He raced towards the other deserter who hurriedly pulled out his own dagger and hurled it in his direction. Luckily, Brumirr was able to easily dodge his terrible aim and continued on his path of revenge. He drove his steel dagger into the Longbeard's gut several times and kicked the body towards the ground-- feeling absolutely no remorse.
He rushed over to Mirlan wanting to hold her in his arms, but a faint whisper caught his attention. "Papa?" He peered over his shoulder at the sudden voice, his eyes widening in fear. He scrambled over to Bruell, her head lying in her mother's lap as she choked on her own blood. He glanced down at her abdomen seeing that the dagger that had missed him had lodged itself into her stomach. He quickly placed his hands on her wound, hoping to stop the bleeding.
"No... no... no. This canna be happenin'. I-I canna lose ye both..." He suddenly felt something wet on his cheek and a finger wiped it away. He locked eyes with Bruell, noticing her struggle to get in her next breath.
"It's okay Papa... Don' cry, I'll be okay... Mahal will take care of me now."
Brumirr choked on a sob, more tears falling freely. "B-But yer my baby..." He brushed a strand of hair out her face, cupping her cheek softly. "My baby..." Bruell smiled up at him before taking her last breath.
He clutched both his wife and Bruell to his chest, sobbing out. The last time he can remember crying was at the birth of both his daughters and now he was crying at their deaths.
He kisses Bruell's forehead gently before getting up and walking over to Mirlan. A new onslaught of tears let loose. He kisses Mirlan's forehead too and whispers, "May Mahal be with ye."
