The Merchant of Valinor by Tehta  

Unque (hollow)

“Under here!” someone shouted, seemingly from under a nearby plank. Nudging it aside, I  wriggled beneath the wood and into a hollow in the sand, joining a pair of terrified lute-players.

Questions raced through my mind, questions like “Will someone find and kill us?” and “If these Feanorians are so smart, why are they so bad at haggling?” and, of course, “Should I have tried to sell better weapons to my people?” Unfortunately, selling worse weapons to the Noldor had never been an option, for they had eschewed my copper and forged their own steel.

Eventually, the sounds of battle faded, and I climbed out, a hollow feeling in my chest.

Chapter End Notes