2010 HASA Birthday Stories
Imhiriel's 2010 Birthday Presents: 1. The Beginning of the End
"I offer you my son, mighty lord, that our lands might prosper together."
Meduseld was pregnant with expectation as Helm considered this, expectation that darkened with each second, until…
"And what good should that do me?"
A gasp rose from the assembly at this.
"You offer me your son so that he and his might inherit my lands upon my death?"
Helm stood and descended the throne, only stopping inches from his rival.
"Why should I not just kill you and take your lands for my own, you fat old fool?"
Freca bristled.
"Helm, you do me wrong. I came here in the spirit of friendship and fellowship, but you mock me and mine and it shall not stand- I demand satisfaction."
The great horselord's smile became an ugly grimace in the flickering torchlight.
"Then it is yours, and to show I hold no malice towards you or yours, you shall have first punch..."
Helm shrugged off his cloak with one ripple of his massive muscles, and Freca- poor, fat, foolish Freca, who had only ever wanted a better world for men- gulped.
Helm grinned again, and wolfish glee burned in his eyes.
"…but know it shall be your last."
