Prologue
Ered Luin
Fall, 2779
A young dwarf woman, Payton Blue Stone, and apprentice of Farin Silverbeard, master blacksmith, whom had been working under her mentor since age 19. Now only forty, things had been rather quiet at the forge, up until her father, Omar, runs into the room. "Dearest daughter, I have some news-I'm off to war-the orcs have taken over Moria!" said her father. "Where is mother? I haven't seen her all day!" said Payton. "That is another reason why I came to talk to you. Your mother has been very sick, and I'm afraid she is not going to last." said Omar sadly.
"No!" gasped Payton. Payton then turned her attention to Farin. "You go and take care of your mother, Pay. Besides that, I'm closing down the forge to join the fight-and I'm not sure if we're going to even make it back!" said Farin. "Don't say that, Master Farin! You and Father, and the rest are going to make it back!" said Payton. Suddenly three more dwarves entered the forge. One was Prince Thorin, and the other two, are his friends, and cousins, Balin and Dwalin.
"Omar, Farin! Grab your weapons! We're leaving!" said the Dwarf Prince. "Good bye, Father-I pray for your return!" said Payton. "Farewell my dearest daughter!" said Omar, as the two of them embraced. "Farewell Miss Payton-give our goodbyes to your mother, Gizelle for us!" said Prince Thorin. "Yes, Your Highness! Farewell!" said Payton, as she watched the Dwarves leave. "Please close up shop for me, and make sure you lock the door!" Farin called out to Payton. "I will!" Payton called back.
After Payton closed up shop, she grabbed her belongings and headed home. By the time she arrived home, she called out for her mother. "I'm home, mother!" Payton called out. But there was no response. Maybe, she's taking a nap! Thought Payton, as she dropped her belongings on the floor. Payton shortly afterwards, walked towards her mother and father's room and entered. Her mother, Gizelle, appeared to be sleeping. "It's me, mother-I'm home-I also picked up some medicine for you!" said Payton.
To Payton's shock and horror, there was no response. "Mother, wake up! I got your medicine here!" Payton spoke again. But still there was no response for Gizelle.
Payton shortly leaned towards her mother's chest, listening for her heart beat. Payton gasped, when she heard nothing. "No! NO! Mother! You cannot die on me now! Open your eyes, mother! Open! Open, open your eyes!" cried out Payton. But there was no movement coming from Gizelle. "NO!" Payton cried out, as she wept over her mother's lifeless body, and she remained there for a long time. An hour passed, Payton took her mother and buried her in flames, as she stood and held a private funeral ritual for her mother.
Payton told herself she is going to track down her father, to tell him the news. She didn't care if her life would be at risk. Her father needed to know. And so Payton resolved she would pack up and march to Moria, to find Omar. After packing her belongings, she grabbed her sword and axe, and she went to her pony, Gillian, and she begin her journey. After traveling several days and months on the road, she reached Moria, and she could see the battle unfold in front of her.
Finding my father is going to be like finding a needle in a haystack, thought Payton. Suddenly, she could see her father in the distance slaying orcs right and left.
But as Payton was about to dart towards her father, several orc arrows flew towards Omar, striking him in the back as the dwarf fell to the ground. "FATHER!" Payton screamed. In anger and rage, Payton took out her axe as she charged at the orcs who fired their arrows at her father. With a loud scream, she killed each orc, in full rage. After that, Payton stood, as she could see the battle waning down, and many dead bodies, including her father's surrounding her.
Payton fell to her knees, as she held her deceased father in her arms and wept. Not only she had lost her mother, but her father as well, and grief took complete control of her. And she sat there for a long time, cradling her father in her arms. "Miss Bluestone? What in Durin's name are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be-!" exclaimed a voice behind her. Payton looked up and she saw Balin, Dwalin and Thorin approaching her. "Ada is gone-my mother she died several days ago! That is the reason why I followed my father-I was going to tell him about mother. And I came to late-I came to late!" cried out Payton.
Thorin knelt towards Payton as he held her, allowing her to grieve. "You have my deepest condolences, Miss Bluestone." said Thorin, softly. "Thank you, your Highness!" said Payton.
"Please, just call me Thorin! We're all friends here!" said Thorin, gently. "Farin? Where's Farin-? He's like a second father to me? Did he survive?" asked Payton, as she stood up and looked around. "Uh, Miss Payton, I'm sorry, but Farin is among the deceased as well." said Balin, gravely. "It seems everyone I know that is close to me is gone!" said Payton sadly. "I understand lass-you're not the only one who has suffered a great loss-Thorin has lost his brother and Grandfather, and our Father had fallen as well." said Balin gently.
"Well, there is nothing much for me to go back to at home-Going back home is going to be difficult." said Payton with a sigh. "You're not going to leave Ered Luin, are you?" asked Thorin. "After I bury Pa." Payton replied.
Six months later…
Six months after Payton returned home, she buried her father and her mentor, Farin, with the help of Thorin, Balin and Dwalin, whom also provided a funeral service for all the lives lost during the Battle of Moria. Once that was done, Payton had decided to leave. On the day of her departure, Thorin approached her. "You really don't have to go, Payton-Your home is here! You belong with your people." said Thorin.
"Thorin, I wish you can understand…" began Payton. "I do understand, Payton! You're not the only one who has lost family members? Do you see me running off after my brother and Grandfather died?" said Thorin, sharply. "No, I don't.." said Payton quietly. "Payton, its up to you. If you don't wish to stay that's fine, but let me remind you-you're a dwarf, and your place is here with your people!" said Thorin, and he walked away.
Payton turned around as she walked back home. Two days later, Payton had sold her home, and most of her parents belongings she had sold as well, on the exception of her father's violin. After that was done, she departed from Ered Luin without a word, or looking back.
