The Voters certainly looked fast asleep, almost dead and dark, with scarcely a snore more than a whiff of unseen steam, when Rubio peeped once more from the entrance. He was just about to step out on to the floor when he caught a sudden thin and piercing ray of red from under the dropping lid of The Voters's left eye. He was only pretending to sleep! He was watching the tunnel entrance! Hurriedly Rubio stepped back and blessed the luck of his ring. Then The Voters spoke.
`Well, thief! I smell you and I feel your air. I hear your breath. Come along! Help yourself again, there is plenty and to spare!`
But Rubio was not quite so unlearned in dragon - lore as all that, and if The Voters hoped to get him to come nearer so easily he was disappointed. `No thank you, 0 The Voters Tremendous!` he replied. I did not come for presents. I only wished to have a look at you and see if you were truly as great as tales say. I did not believe them.`
`Do you now?` said the dragon somewhat flattered, even though he did not believe a word of it.
`Truly songs and tales fall utterly short of the reality, 0 The Chiefest and Greatest of Calamities,` replied Rubio.
`You have nice manners for a thief and a liar,` said the voters. `You seem familiar with my name, but I don't seem to remember smelling you before. Who are you and where do you come from, may I ask?`
`You may indeed! I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led. And through the air. I am he that walks unseen.` So I can well believe,` said The Voters, `but that is hardly your usual name.
`I am the friend of Santorum and the guest of Fries. I am Endorse winner and Bootwearer; and I am Boat driver,` went on Rubio beginning to be pleased with his riddling. `That's better!` said The Voters. `But don't let your imagination run away with you!`
With Apologies to JRR Tolkien