Chapter 2: Fair Ladies of the Dwarfs

Slóp had gathered his most trusted companions in his hall. He spoke,

"Fellow I have gathered you here to set you loyal ones on a quest. A quest to find the Dwarven Ladies fair. I have several connections and have pinpointed their position. All that is needed is to persuade them to come with you home. And you have two choices to make your trip. One: leave through the western gates of Khazad-dûm and ascend the peaks and cross the perilous summit of the Misty Mountains, or exit to the eastern gates, cross the Celebrant and ascend up another mountain to find the ladies. Now many of you may know of this place. Dimrill Dale, the historic battlefield of Dwarven and Orc folk. The ladies have remained there in mourning, but once they learn of Morias return they will gladly refuge in Khazad-dûm. So now gather your supplies and make haste!"

Fornbogi and company set out early the next day; they chose the Eastern path and exited Moria. Within hours they came upon the rushing yet gentle Celebrant. Fornbogi asked, "Would any you lot happen to know how deep this river is?" The company was silent; Fornbogi sighed and drew his hatchet. He trotted over to a nearby tree and hewed a good sized branch. He walked to the banks of the river and poked the stick into the river. He informed, "Ok men we have two choices, take the long way around, perhaps delaying us a day or just cross the river. But the river would come up to our chests. You're choice men." After a few minutes of debate they decided to cross the river. Fornbogi would go first he stripped off his valuables and hurled them over the river, safe from being spoiled. He held his breath and waded into the bone chilling glacier water. He chillingly forded the river with effort, once on the other side he waved to the others.

The rest of the company made it safely, save one. Felix the Fast wasn't so lucky. He was the last one across. He tip toed into the water and once he was in leaping distance to the bank he lost his footing, thanks to the quick hands of Darri he was caught by a stout hand. The river was proving more powerful as it knocked Felix further away. Darri shouted, "I can't hold him much longer!" With the help of the others they dragged him closer. When all of a sudden the water rose and swept Felix out of Darri's grasp. Galarr shot his eyes up the mountain surrounding the river, somehow the snow avalanched off the mountain into the river, causing a tidal wave. Darri dropped to the damp grass and a tear wet his cheek. Fornbogi said solemnly, "Let's camp here."

For the rest of the evening Galarr's eyes never left the mountain for long. Fornbogi got Galarr alone and said, "What is it wise one?" Galarr rasped between drags on his pipe, "That avalanche…Wasn't natural." Fornbogi pondered, "What are you implying?" Galarr rasped, "Not sure but I believe there is a greater work afoot here."

Buggug ran across the snowy trail with his company of other Goblins. When they reached the cliff he hissed, "There they are! So Klog was right, there is a company of Dwarves let's decimate them!" Buggug ordered his group, "On three we will push this rock to start an avalanche, but we must wait, if they try to ford the river they will die!" Several hisses and grunts were made in approval.

"Okay here they go! Push!" the group of Goblins pushed the mass of rock and with effort it budged and began to roll down the mountainside. Buggug cheered as the boulder raced down the snowy hill. "There it goes!" shouted a goblin as the snow and rock landed in the water. A huge wave rose up and rushed over the river. The goblins did not stay to see the result they retreated to their stronghold.

The next morning Fornbogi roused the down trodden Dwarves with a speech:

"We mustn't let Felix hinder our trek; do you think he would wish for us to stop in his account? The great Celebrant is his grave, may his soul protect the water from all evils. Galarr has suspected someone or something triggered the avalanche. One: there is a heap of snow at the mouth of the river with a boulder resting in front of it in the water. Two: may Durin bless those poor souls if we get a hold of them!"

His little speech aroused the men a little, but not by much. Fornbogi packed his tent with the others and said, "Let us go, remember your pipes Dwarf perhaps it will calm you." Fornbogi lit his pipe as they walked towards the base of yet another mountain. After a few silent minutes Galarr opened up in a song:

"O'er the rushing rapids of the Silverlode

Lo and behold it has claimed another soul

A fair soul be at that

May the angry souls sleep in peace"

Darri made up the next part:

"Lost a fair soul we have

Continue our quest we must

We will find the

Fair ladies of our race

Bring them back to Khazad-dûm

For the glory of Durin!"

The song ended for nobody had the inspiration to continue the song so they marched for hours silently. So day two had ended and they are now at the base of the mountain which holds Dimrill Dale.

"Up and ready," shouted Fornbogi, "We must ascend this mountain today and today only!" Within minutes the company was packed and ready with a burst of new vigor. By noon they had ascended half of the mountain they had six hours to reach Dimrill Dale before nightfall and climbing a mountain in night is treacherous.

The sun was now beginning to sink behind the mountains as the company became ever closer to the summit. Within a few thousand feet of the summit they heard a strange singing and music and aroma of foods. This drove the Dwarfs to climb faster. And before nightfall they reached the summit, yet nowhere was a village seen. Galarr prodded, "Seems as if we are either imagining the noise and smell or we've missed something. Let us sleep for our senses will be greater tomorrow." Darri said eagerly, "But we are so close! We still have hours of the night left!" But the posse agreed on settling in.

Galarr, Darri, and Jari entertained each other as Fornbogi was out gathering wood for a fire. Fornbogi drew his axe and approached a tree, he swung his cutting axe at a branch and it fell from the tree with ease.

"Look," whispered Ingi the Fair to her maidens, "there is a man Dwarf!" How is this so?" Ingi walked over to the laboring Dwarf and said, "Greetings my strong one my name is Ingi the Fair, you appear to be a Dwarf are you not?" The Dwarf was surprised for he dropped his hatchet to the earth and said, "Y-yes I am a Dwarf." Ingi waited, "Have you a name?" Fornbogi said, "Oh of course. Aherm! My name is Fornbogi I am in service of Slóp the King of Khazad-dûm." Ingi and her maidens gasped with a surprise. She recollected herself, "You must come with us and tell us your story for we must hear it!"

Galarr's eyes peeled open to the sunlight of a new day. He immediately shot up and looked around for Fornbogi. He shook his fellow and said, "Awake! Have you seen Fornbogi? For he has not returned!" The sleeping Dwarfs groaned with dismay as they woke themselves. "Alas! I have returned!" a familiar voice announced. Galarr jumped up and asked, "Where were you? You didn't return last night? Get carried away with wood?" Fornbogi chuckled, "No my fair friend, follow me I have treat for you all, pack the camp and follow!"

Fornbogi said, "Here we are now follow me!" He pulled a branch on a tree and the tree slid aside and revealed a gaping hole with a ladder protruding. Fornbogi was the first down, followed by Darri, Galarr, and then Jari. Jari marveled, "Oh my… Look at them!" Galarr was shocked for this was the first time he has heard Jari speak a word aloud. The cavern was laden with several ladies and food. Galarr whispered to Fornbogi, "Have you persuaded them back to Moria yet?" Fornbogi nodded no.