The King's reply...

[tomcat]

Current Time and Situation:

May 17th, 1637 T.A. until the 20th when the runner arrives
Sunny weather, but cool in the mountain highlands

So it was decided, the Company would separate for a time - Seriand and Galudir would accompany the treasure to Khazad-dûm, while the others would have audience with the king.

The Dwarves of Moria began to gather the treasures of the troll cave and it was slowly moved down the trail to Hollin Road below - all this was done under the watchful eyes of the Company. The company of Dwarves that had come at the close of combat had also brought a pony driven wagon. It's intent had been for any wounded, but now it served to bear the wounded, dead, and the chests of gold and other precious items. Two trips would be required to gather all of the treasure, but the better part of it was transported to the West Gate as the afternoon sun passed into dusk.

The Company members gathered upon the sward as the orange rays of the failing day backlit the sheer wall of Silvertine that rose above the gate. There they set a camp to wait until word came back from King Bain to allow their passage. For the most part they were optimistic; only the strange demands of Bori caused them to wonder.

Around the entrance to Khazad-dûm, the Dwarf wards milled about the second wagon that had come up the road bearing the remains of the treasures. It was accounted for by Dwarven scribes, and was rolled into an antechamber within the gates. Bori said that it would be stored there until the word came from the city.

A few of the Company members had stood within the entrance of the West Gate and were immediately impressed by what the Dwarves had achieved. Not only did the city and mines of Moria stretch from one side of the mountain to the other, this done by their hands, but also the beauty and craftsmanship they lent to their work. A great stairway rose  not 50 feet from the gates and lining the walls to the first stair were great statues of the Kings of Dwarves.

The Company could only imagine what else their journey would reveal.

And so they waited. A campfire was set and the Company sat about and ate food from their packs; slowly they excused themselves to go to get some sleep.

Two days passed and the Company began to worry that they were letting time pass for naught, but in the  early noon hour of the third day since they came to the gate, a runner appeared with word from the king.

[tomcat]

OOC: Just so you know, the next couple posts will be a lot of descriptive narrative as you guys pass through the mines, but feel free to add any dialogue that you would like.

More posts to come, just reading up on the world of the Dwarves.

[tomcat]

A Dwarf runner, dressed in leather breaks, soft boots, and an ornate shirt came to where the Company sat upon the grass and bowed when he reached them. He was a bit winded and so took a deep breath in and out before continuing.

"By order of King Bain, the Company out of Tharbad who bears word of our fallen kin, Lûnduf, is requested to appear before his majesty in four days. They are to be taken to the city of Khazad-dûm post haste, and there they will be made accomodations until the time ordered has come. They then will be brought before the King to tell their tale."

While he talked, Bori walked up behind the runner and listened quietly to the order. When the announcement was completed, the door warden spoke. "You will need to prepare yourselves. I will be your guide through the mines to the city. Your mounts and the treasure that is contested will follow - along with those you leave behind to accompany it."

He looked at Nain, "You need not worry, both mounts and the treasure will be handled with care. Besides, it will require your people to care for these great steeds - we in Khazad-dûm only make use of ponies and mules. We would not know how to care for creatures so large."

The runner slipped away as Bori spoke. It was obvious he was to return with answer to the king that the Company had been informed and that they would be on their way. With his departure and Bori's final words, the companions rose and began to break their encampment. It was just approaching noon and it was 34 miles from the West Gate to the city proper - the Company would have three days to cover the distance.

OOC: Actions - and/or - Dailogue? Again, another narrative post will follow for your first day's travel into the mines.

[sdrotar]

Dirnhael beamed.

He knew that few Men had ever been inside the great Dwarven realm, and he felt a thrill in expectation of this new adventure.
All thought of treasure and trolls vanished for a time, as he quietly circled the company, clasping hands and clapping shoulders; rewarding a job well done - for not only would they be allowed to visit the legendary underground city, it appeared that they would not need to suffer the cruel mountain pass nor the wide path around to the south, where they planned to part with yet another friend.

He thought of Lunduf once more, lamenting his companion's passing but proud that they could do him this honor, at least.
And who knew, thought Dirnhael; perhaps in some way, Lunduf's voice would still ring through the chasms and caves for time eternal.
It was a pleasant notion, and one that Dirnhael would keep in the days to come.

[Stefan]

Nain had little fear of what would happen to Jethro in the company of the other dwarves, unless maybe he would steal all their apples.  He chuckled at the thought.

"I'll take my own council as to when I need ta worry but I have confidence in my companions and if there are more of Lunduf's kind here then I'm sure the treasure will be safe enough."

Jethro, for his part, didnt really care for all the stone above him and had been somewhat antsy for the last couple of days in the foyer.  Nain had been spending most of the time waiting brushing his coat and feeding him apples that were beginning to run rather short.

[Palandil]

Fengel was glad that they were finally going to see the King.  The battle with the trolls had taken his mind off of getting home but now the waiting had again made him anxious to move on.  He wondered why whenever he and his companions had a mission, things just seemed to happen to them along the way.  But know as they prepared to make the journey to see the King, he began to think of what he would say to honor his friend Lunduf.

[BrianM]

Edrahil could not help the feeling of forboding that came upon him as he stood before the gate the the dwarven realm. He knew there was naught to fear, but the thought of being so far under the earth ... far from sun and wind and trees ... made the elf feel more than a little uncomfortable. He turned, facing away from the door for a while, enjoying this last view of Hollin. Edrahil looked at the sun, hoping that these last few rays would carry him through the next days of their journey. With a final deep breath of outside air, the elf turned back towards the gate, and entered Moria with his companions.

[ooc]

Hi everyone ... just caught up after being absent for a week doing frantic holiday activities with my family. My New Year's resolution is to stay on top of this game and participate more regularly, as I have been a bit sporadic of late. - Cheers, Brian

[Nikitas]

Galudir was uncertain about the arrangements. He enjoyed spending time with such treasure, but then he was never one to stay behind. In his band Galudir was always at the forefront of any negotiations. Still, he did not object. After all, the stately halls of a dwarven king were not the worn down taverns he was accustomed to. Perhaps those noblemen would make better negotiators.

As to his task, Galudir was wary. But the rogue trusted the Dwarves in their love of treasure and their loyalty to their sovereign; he did not expect much mischief, at least from them. More than once he was tempted to sneak a small trinket off of the horde, but he also trusted in the Dwarves meticulous recording. Risking a share for a gold piece was foolish, and so Galudir restrained himself.

[GandalfOfBorg]

What had he gotten himself into?  Was he ready to actually stand forth for the honor of those whom he doesn't or would ever know against the crown of this might nation?  If his father were here, he's the type that would make sure that he or "the king" got a share of this treasure and he had to admit it did intrigue him what was in the troll's stash, but that's really as far as his interest lay.  He didn't need gold and his gear suited him just fine -- he found that he opened his mouth with honest and selfless intent and that actually surprised him.  Yup, he was ready.

"Let's go," says Durgil as he holds his sleek mare by the reins.

[Wiseman]

Seriand felt like he was pulling double-duty.  Watching the dwarves to make sure they didn't do anything odd with the treasure while ALSO, a significantly more difficult propotion, keeping a close watch on Galudir.

Seriand readied his horse and stayed behind to make sure the treasure was accounted for and moving along with the party.

[tomcat]

OOC: Cool! I will give a new post tomorrow, after the house has calmed down from the holiday activities. Until then, have a happy New Year!

Doug