Halfling Colony

It's such a fine day, Addie thought as she took Feryl and Stella out for a stroll along the river. The weather wasn't quite as dreary as usual and the cold didn't quite nip at them as they walked along the rocky bank.

As she walked, she looked at several ornate flags that lined both sides of the river that marked ownership by one of the Big Families. With a close source of irrigation and fresh water it quickly became prime real estate for the halflings, and the Big Families were quick to bribe, marry, and some would even say threaten, to get the lucrative land that formed after the river started to flow again.

She chuckled, it caused quite the ruckus to some of the halflings that had taken shelter in the dry riverbed only for it to quickly begin filling right under them! A few tents were washed away before they were able to get them from the rising water, but no-one was washed away themselves fortunately.

Addie cast a glance at the fields surrounding most of the colony, already several halflings were leading sheep, goats, and cows out to graze on the wild grass while helpful hounds followed and kept watch on the herds and their masters. Ears perked to the first sounds of any threats that may arrive to snatch their wooly charges.

Eventually she came to the spot where her family had staked their claim on the land. A respectable plot of land that rested comfortably in one of the bends in the river where a simple orange and grain-yellow checkered flag that represented the Hambinger Family stood proudly. As the colony was switching from tents to actual homes they would also begin bridging the river in many areas for ease of movement and access.

Nearer the forest were the remnants of their short-lived lumber industry. Since Clive declared that any trouble between the halflings and the giant would result in the humans leaving them to their selves, they had since moved to the east where they were far less likely to get into conflict with the giant.

While concentrated logging in the area was gone, there still remained a few souls that had claimed a few sparse spots along the tree line where they would harvest deadwood to burn for warmth as they instead turned to hunting in the same forest as the giant rather than animal husbandry and farming. So far there hasn't been any conflict. At least none that Addie has heard of.

She sat down on a rock near the bank and held Stella close as she watched Feryl hitting the water with a stick he had found.

"Be careful o' tha water dear."

Her son nodded and took a half-step back from the cold water before continuing splashing the water once more. Then he would get bored and switch to picking up rocks and throwing them into the water, though she wasn't sure if the boy was trying to skip them or was just throwing them to make a splash.

Addie looked down at Stella as the wee babe stirred in her warm bundle of cloth. She gently rocked and cooed at the babe until she settled back down and returned to her soft snoring.

After a time she pulled her wool cloak closer as a chill wind blew in and she called for her son.

"Come along Feryl!"

The boy nodded and tossed a last rock into the river before following after his mother as they hurried back to the colony. She couldn't wait for their home to be built so they didn't have to suffer this damnable cold for so long! The tents kept some of it out, but a nice secure home and a warm fire sounded like heaven in comparison.

Which brought an thought to Addie as she walked past some chickens out feeding. Halflings have some natural padding to help insolate them from the cold. But Clive was so lean that she was surprised he hadn't gotten sick yet! Especially now that he was off working for the dwarves most of the day!

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"He can't be gettin' anythin' proper ta eat o'er there. Probably feed 'im nothin' but gruel 'nd slop!" She ranted to herself and her family as she entered their tent where Hamish was puffing away peacefully on his pipe.

"Wha's tha' dear?" Hamish replied almost automatically. Quite used to his wife's nattering.

"Our son-in-law tha's wha'! 'Onestly Hamish?! It's like you don't listen sometimes!" Addie cursed as she sat Stella down on her cot and turned to her husband who was much less worried than her.

Hamish sighed.

"'Nd wha' did Clive do now tha' 'as you in such a fit o' worry?"

"Well where ta start?! He's barely skin 'nd bones! Surprised he 'asn't caught 'is death o' cold yet in this weather with tha' drafty tent!"

"We aren't much better off dear." Hamish replied as he patted Feryl on the head as the quarterling went to play with his little tin men.

"'Nd he won't be fer some time! Do you recall seein' 'im talkin' ta tha other humans 'bout 'is own 'ome?" Addie asked.

"Not tha' I can recall dear." Hamish stated as he leaned back in his chair and puffed on his pipe.

"Exactly! Tha' poor boy probably is last on tha list! As fast as they're goin' 'e'll be nothin' but dust by tha time they get ta 'im!" Addie claimed as she paced as much as she could in their shared tent.

"There isn't much we can do dear but wait! We cannae exactly offer 'im OUR tent now can we?!"

"Course not! Don't be daft Hamish!" Addie retorted incredulously.

"So now tha's settled-"

"Which is why you 'nd yer mates at tha greenhouse are gonna build 'im a nice cozy lil cabin!"

Hamish choked on his tobacco at that statement.

"Are you daf-"

He stopped when Addie glared and pointed a firm finger at him.

"Ifin yer wantin' ta sleep in tha greenhouse I suggest you dinnae finish tha' sentence Hamish!"

"All I's sayin' is tha' 'ow do you propose we do tha' dear?" Hamish replied.

"Easy! Go 'nd get some saws 'nd axes from tha humans 'nd go get some lumber at tha edge o' tha forest. Then you get started on a nice cozy cabin!" Addie declared.

Hamish groaned and closed his eyes in frustration.

"Addie! I got work at tha greenhouse! I dinnae be 'avin' time ta-"

Hamish paused when he opened his eyes as he somehow found himself standing outside his tent. Not entirely sure how he even got out his chair. Addie called from within.

"Better get started then! Oh! 'Nd dinnae be forgettin' a nursery! Stella cannae be sleepin' in 'is bed just yet! 'Nd it's better ta get it done now than later! Ooh! Maybe decorate it with some nice lovely sunflowers! Er maybe honeysuckle! 'Nd dinnae forget a nice place fer a warm fire!"

Hamish shook his head as he left the comfort of his tent, and the decorative musings of his wife, to go and draft his mates into homebuilding.

Addie meanwhile continued her musings on decorations as she planned out Stella's nursery. It was only a matter of time before she's big enough to begin living with Clive, and the sooner they do the better they'll get along!

Of course she needed to plan the nursery in her family's own home as Stella wouldn't be the last by far if she and Hamish had anything to say about it! But for now she could focus on Stella's needs and future.

"Maybe some petunias!"

She recalled someone in the center of the colony collecting flowers from nearby as well as having some samples that may have survived their journey and the cold. She'll ask ta see them so she can get a better idea of what would go with what.

"Be a good lad Feryl 'nd watch yer sister while me 'nd yer da are out!"

She left the tent as Feryl carried over his toys over to the beside where Stella still snoozed away peacefully, blissfully unaware of what exactly is going on.

Addie strolled through the colony with some pep in her step as excitement overtook her at the thought of home planning! Until a certain strumpet decided to walk into her path with a smug air about her.

"Afternoon, Addie! Wha' seems ta 'ave put you in such a good mood?" Carrie asked with a look and tone that said she didn't actually care.

"Oh, just goin' ta tha market fer some floral samples fer Stella's 'nd Clive's nursery." Addie said as she tried to go on her way, but Carrie was dogging her every step.

"Oh you poor dear! You still think tha' yer wee brat still 'as a chance?!" Carrie exclaimed with mock concern.

"Well, given tha' Kilpa is out o' tha way. 'Nd yer... you. I dinnae think it'll be much contest." Addie snarked back.

"Oh but tha's where yer wrong dear! See, I'm carryin' 'is babe right this moment!" Carrie exclaimed loudly for anyone to hear.

"'Nd it only took you jumpin' tha poor lad while he was sloshed as a skunk ta do it." Addie chimed as she rolled her eyes.

"Sure he wasn't very interactive durin' our first time. But tha'll change when he realizes I'm bearin' 'is child!" Carrie declared haughtily.

Addie paused.

"Tha' yer what?"

"Bearin'! Tha's wha' tha' human doctor said when they dragged me ta their tent! She wasn't very nice, er pretty fer tha' matter. No wonder why she was so rough."

"Wait, 'ow EXACTLY did she say it?"

Carrie paused and thought for a long moment, so long that Addie thought she saw smoke coming from her ears!

"She said tha' I, was as bearin' as tha Gobi! Not sure where tha' is but it must be such a fertile place fer her ta say tha' ta me with a smile!"

"....Carrie, I dinnae ken she means-"

"Hush now Addie! Jealousy dinnae look good on you! Though little does." Carrie snarked as she sauntered away.

"Should I tell her? ....Nah!" Addie muttered to herself as she went back to her day with a bit more pep in her step now.

Hamish getting started on a new home for Stella and Clive, her planning out the nursery, and now finding out Carrie is as fertile as a sand trap! Her day couldn't get better if she tried!

"Oh a copper penny!"