Thorin ll

Smoke filled the air from campfires and halfling leaf, as the dwarves rested on the day. Thorin would welcome these fires any day over the flames and destruction he witnessed on the steep hills far off from Erebor. His father went before their people and pled the case of this stranger, much to his grandfather's anger. He yelled and cursed but Thrain was undeterred. Thorin knew his father had the people when he asked them to at least come with him for a time and should the dragon not come then you can return home. He still told them to bring their possessions just in case the dragon does come.

And come he did.

Just when they were all ready to head home, the dwarves watched in thousands as Smaug the Terrible came down in all his might and destroyed the empty city of Dale for they were told in advance as well. Then the dragon set it's eyes towards Erebor and flew head first into the gates of the mountain. With a greast burst of flames, the gates came down with ease and the screams of the dwarves who chose to stay in the kingdom with his grandfather.

For two days and two nights, the host of dwarves waited for any stragglers from the mountain. Few came.

The ones that did come all had the same story that King Thror chose to stay where the gold was kept and would not listen to reason. Thorin's father howled and screamed into sky as tears had streamed down his face. Then he picked himself up and the dwarves had a short ceremony for the fallen then continued on their journey, for it would be a long one.

For nearly ten years, they had traveled all throughout convincing dwarves to come along. It was no easy process and there were those who stayed, but once Thorin's cousin Lord Nain of the Iron hills was won over, then the rest of the dwarves followed suit. The journey east was hard but the journey west could only be described as madness. Thorin nearly spoke up many times as his father followed and spoke to this Balwe (if that was even the man's name) in hushed tones and away from the rest. They had started their journey west with almost 45,000 dwarves and now nearly 5,000 have been lost because of this foolish quest. Too many, he thought. Far too many.

Thorin was brought from his thoughts when Frerin and Balin came and sat down on each side of him. His brother handed him a bowl of food as Balin kept taking puffs from his pipe until he spoke up. "I heard talk we will be at the coast soon." Thorin nearly laughed at that. He had heard that talk as well, years ago. And the only bodies of water they have seen has been lakes and rivers. This quest has been for naught. He only said to Balin, "Oh is that what they say? Perhaps they are right this time, unlike the last one hundred times." Frerin threw his arm around him. "Cheer up brother, do you not smell it?" He smiled at him expectantly as if the answer was as clear as day. "Do enlighten me, brother"

"The salt is in the air. That means the sea is not far off. We are nearly there brother, and then we can start fresh." Fresh. And what of the dwarves who have died on this quest, he thought. When will their fresh starts begin?

Dain ll

Dain missed the Iron hills. It may not have been the splendor of Erebor or Moria in it's glory years, but it was home and his father was Lord. Now they they seemed nothing more than peasants and beggars here in the homes of the elves. For years they traveled and now they have reached Farlindon, and this dwarf by the name of Cirdan the Shipwright is awaiting their coming. Dain had to admit once he finally got over his pride to eat their food, it was quite tasty. Mead or Wine was offered but of course the mead was preferred in this company. Fresh fish, roasted with lemons and herbs in it. Dain nearly caught himself picking the bones.

"So is that what you mean to do?" Cirdan said as he stroked those few little chin hairs he calls a beard. Those were the first words understood during their whole conversation. What could they have been talking about? "We were talking about your journey's ahead, Dain, son of Nain." The man Balwe gave a slight smile and knowing look as if he knew the happenings within his mind.

"Tomorrow we will shall set out and hopefully forge a new path for the dwarves." Balwe spoke to all in the company. All raised their cups though Dain saw that there were those who looked displease with it all. Dain's father included. But no matter how much they might dislike it, Dain knew Thrain's will would be followed for there are none more loyal than the dwarf.

Balwe

Eru bless this day. The skies looked beautiful and the waters calm, he knew the time was now. The elves had shown tried to shown the dwarves how to use the boats they would be riding in. But it was all for naught. The dwarves are not of the sea, they are of the earth. It made no matter, he knew they just needing to lift sails and pull in the anchor, the rest would be done by the Valar.

There was no winds to be found and he knew that was Manwe's doing. He thanked him for that, and also Ulmo for the calm seas, seas that he knew would not be calm for much longer. "We are all ready, Balwe." It would seem the time is now. He looked back to the seas and saw that Cirdan watched him quietly. Balwe nodded and turned back to sea. By the time the dwarves had lifted the last anchor, he could feel the winds starting to pick up. "UNDER THE DECKS, IN THE CABINS! NOW!" His voice thundered as the dwarves hurried underneath. He hated to yell but for what was to come next, none of them needed to be above deck.

Balwe raised his arms out as he looked to the skies. He called out for the valar, and then he out for Iluvatar last. The skies shifted black and grey as the winds took over the sails and started moving the ships through the water. The elves had all ran inside by this point except for Cirdan, he still watched and waited. The winds had finally steadied out, but Balwe knew that the next leg would be the hardest. When lands were out of sight and there was only ocean, that is when decided to intervene. The seas opened up into a pit of nothingness. A whole in the middle of the water awaiting all 40,000 of these dwarves to lands unknown. Balwe said his silent goodbyes for he knew he would not back until dagor dagorath and no sooner.

The She-Bear

That damned Jeor thinks he can talk to many any which ways. If he got a taste of my morningstar he would not be talking that way at all, Maege thought. She knew it was wrong to think such poor thoughts, especially about ones own brother but it could not be helped. He had sent a servant to have her woken up right before Dawn to come look at something and he would not even say what it was. The bloody fool.

Maege was making her way outside after grabbing fresh bread from the kitchen. I will be damned if he thinks to hurry me before i get some food in my belly, "Now what is it you dra-", her words were cut short and she nearly dropped her bread when saw the amount of ships on the shore. Maege ground her teeth as she gripped her mace, "Damned Ironborn. I am sick to death of these bloody cowards." Jeor still watched them. "I do not think they are Ironborn sister. Where are their sigils? And these ships, they look too fine to be those of the Ironborn."

"But still brother, word must be sent out of an Invasion!" Jeor gave her a look that only served to piss her off anew. "You think I do not know that maege?! God's woman! Letters have been sent and are being sent as we speak. " Maege simply stared at him, "since you seem to have it all figured out then, Jeor, what is it we shall do next. Her brother grimaced,"Wake the men that are still resting and prepare for battle."