Dawn came and the brothers set out immediately. Everything had been packed the day before, they even broke their fast on foot as they were determined to make good time on their first day of the journey. They were munching on bread fresh out of the kitchens, and some chunks of cheese, while passing a skin of mead between them. ”The Blue Mountains will be the easiest and safest part of our journey,” Dori said. ”There will be villages and inns along the way, warm beds and good food.” Dori was always happy about food. Not that his younger brothers were not, they just had other things on their minds. Nori never bothered himself much with anything, as long as he had his flute he would tag along. Or tended to be the smart one with the maps and the books and the plans. ”There will, Ori responded.” Though we should not linger for too long in one place. This is indeed the safest part of the journey, which is why I say we make it fast. We know these lands and the people who live here, but we have no way of knowing what kind of trouble we can get into once we cross the river.” Nori took out his flute, just as he nearly always did when his brothers were talking about these things. ”Aye, you are the witty one,” Dori said. ”And you are the strong one, big brother,” said Ori.
