The dead boy

Legolas solves a well-known lateral thinking puzzle.

“One day,” said Gimli, “my father was tramping along the High Pass through the Misty Mountains, when he happened upon the body of a young Man, hanging in one of the thorn bushes that grow along that trail.

“The day was hot, and the body had already begun to turn, but my father took pity on the poor lad, lowered him to the ground, and raised a cairn of stones over him.”

“That was kind,” said Legolas.

“Mmm.” Gimli took a swig of ale. “But—what do you think the lad had died of?”

Legolas shrugged. “His injuries must have been severe—perhaps he had fallen from higher up the mountain. Or maybe he met with a band of Uruk Hai, who beat him to death, then threw his body aside.”

Gimli shook his head. “There were many cuts and bruises on the body, but it was my father’s belief that the lad had frozen to death.”

“On such a hot day?”

“Aye.”

“But how could he—” Legolas grinned. “I know what happened to him!”