At the fore were Ui Birlinn and his men.  They looked weary, and their horses looked worse.  Ui Birlinn pulled his horse out of line as he drew near Iamerge and Gospels, but he motioned the rest of the column on without him.

Rhaury Ui Birlinn smiled and nodded, “I’d not thought to see you again Gospels, but I am glad that there is some good that’s come of the day.”

“Some good and some bad.” said Gospels, “What did you find?”

Rhaury winced and looked down into the valley where the devastated caravan lay, “As to that, death, and some ruin.” He looked back at the two, “and yon caravan beset.”

“You saw who did this?”

“Yes, when I gave chase.  Gospels, you have never seen a more brutal lot.  Our caravan coming up behind these poor folk drove the monsters off, and when I came with the relief we pursued.  I think they are not used to being chased.  We caught them at camp farther down the valley.  I’d heard the reports of the guards who fought them, but I couldn’t imagine, can’t tell you.  These were not men, not in any sense that we know them, they were more like beasts.”

“So you think they were not of the family of man?  Did they bear some sigil, some banner?”

“Not that, they were a war band because they went armed.  Savage, fanged, long armed brutes, they were powerfully built, more than even the doughtiest warrior you’ve known.” Rhaury shook his head, “Nothing in my experience compares.  The largest might have been the height of a man if he stood straight, but they crouched, came at us with their weapons.  Most of them were much shorter than a man, but then they all may have weighed more, even the smallest.”  Rhaury eyes glazed as he remembered, “It was strange.  There were some that were short, as if they were of a size, by comparison, of a child, but they were all as murderous as the largest.  I think our horses were all that saved us.  A man and a horse over matched what they would otherwise tear to pieces.”

Gospels shuddered, “Do you think they are well gone then?”

“Who can say?  I have wounded that can ride and I’m taking them and my caravan to Beallton.  I’m sorry that I forgot to give the brothers word.  What errand brought you and your brother this far?  I advise you show proper caution, this all started last night.”

“We have more brothers coming  . . .”

“Gospels, I do not mean to say that I’ve abandoned those I’m leaving.  We need new horses and then we will return.  It is wretched what has happened to the other caravan.  There are a few survivors, we were coming to get your assistance for them . . .”

“No worries, I think that Hebrews should be here soon with carts and stretchers . . .”

“I fear there will not be need for very many,” said Rhaury

I am the mother of my people.  I am the chief of my clan.  I fought Gloona and beat her until she yielded.  I led our females to drive off the rouge, Mulak, when he killed Peltook.  I faced him and drove him off.  But Gloona was too proud until I beat her.

I am the mother.  I wish there was no need for males, no need for a mate, but we need young to grow strong.  We still raise Peltook’s last brood.  Moogat, the witch, says I should eat them as many mothers do when they rise.  This I will not do.

Our males are too young or I would choose from them and chase away the rest.  I must choose between two bad paths.  I must go to other clans and take a mate or I must find a band of ogres, bachelors who may or may not have gone mad with blood lust.

I am now mother.  I mate, but I will keep no mate.  Moogat warns that this is not the path of wisdom.  Moogat talks and talks, but I see no wisdom in her words.  Her council is empty.  Moogat talks to Gloona too and I know some of the words.

Perhaps I will chase Moogat and Gloona out of the clan like we chase off the old males that like to kill the females and eat the young.  Sometimes smart and swift is better than strong.

It is strange that only the mother breeds.  Don’t we need more young?  What if every mature female was a mother and a clan was like a gathering of clans?

This I will think on.

This little snippet gives an idea of one small Gobli clan. I doubt seriously that they will think of themselves in terms that Tolkien did. Perhaps I will come up with something better, but in truth these creatures are a reflection of nightmare in a mind touched by the All Mind. If that mind thought in Tolkiensian terms then it is possible that they would be known by Tolkien’s names. Perhaps I can construct a better foundation. Anyhow, this is a start.