Chapter IV: Of the Meeting of the First Grand Council, and the Nature of the Seven Dwarf-Clans.

For a great time did the Days of Labor wear on, but at last the Great Hall was complete, and Durin knew the time had come to move forward, and seek out his fellows. By this time he had instructed not only Agallo, but more than a score of other elves as well, in the language of the Dwarves. From these he took a dozen of the best speakers, and bid them set out to seek the other Fathers of the Dwarves. He knew of a premonition where each of them had been laid, and instructed each pair of elves where to seek. Thus did the elves set out, two by two, to search for Durin's kin.

In other days, both before and after, such journeying across distance with but a single companion would have been perilous, but it was not so at that time. Not only were the Marlië skilled at traveling in secret, but the dark things which had flourished under the Black Shadow were still for the most part hidden away, for although the coming of the Lords of the West was long past, the memory of their power and majesty was yet fresh in the minds of those to whom their wrath was given. So it was that each of the other six Fathers of the Dwarves was visited by the Marlië, and each came then to Kazad-dûm, and of their journeys little need be said.

The first to arrive was Fergon, for although his home was not nearest to Durin's, the ways between were easier to travel than those to the others' lands. The next to arrive was Dimbult, and after him Bergon, and after him Ergon. It was long after that, however, before Imbult and Kimbult arrived, for the Great Mountains before which the Marlië had stopped on their journey to the West, still they were unwilling to traverse. So it was that the messengers to Imbult and Kimbult have been obliged to travel south until they came to a break in the mountains, and in so doing added many leagues to their journey. And when all were at last assembled, they took seat around a great eight-sided table, which Durin had carved for this very purpose. At seven sides were set simple stools, and on each was carved the name of one of the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves. At the eighth place was a magnificent throne, and upon it was carved the name MAHAL.

When each sat at his place, Durin rose and bowed towards the eighth seat, intoning, "May Mahal guide my words, as I sit with my brothers in council. May all I say be as he would have me say, and may that he be pleased by my voice." And after him did each of the others do likewise in turn. When this was done, Durin spoke, saying, "There is much to discuss, but before we turn to new matters, I would desire to know how each of you has faired since the Awakening. Therefore, let each in turn speak of what has transpired since that time."

Fergon spoke first, and told of his land between mountain and river, where grew and abundance of fruit and edible plant, and where roamed free many animals to be had for game. There he and his wife lived, near to the river. But (he told), the mountains to the east were ripe for excavation, and he purposed to build there a dwelling in which he could take pride.

Next spoke Ergon, who had looked upon Durin's Great Hall with envy and jealousy since first he had arrived. He told how he had built a mighty dwelling in the western mountains, and long did he describe in exacting detail its many intricate passages, its opulence and sheer size, and the cunning stonework therein.

Now to each of the other dwarves present was his exaggeration obvious, but only Durin knew the true extent of his falseness, for Durin had questioned the elves sent to bring Ergon as to why he had arrived long after the others, save Imbult and Kimbult, when his lands lay not over far from Durin's own. Then Astar and Enno (For so were those two named) told how they had long searched the mountains for any sign of dwelling, until at last they had found Ergon and his mate, together with two children, and these four lived in a miserable state. Their home was a shallow pit by a running stream, and they were filthy and despondent when at last came the Marlië. But although all of this was known to Durin, he sat quietly while Ergon talked, and said nothing.

Next spoke Bergon, and told of his home, far in the trackless desert. Under a great rocky mesa there bubbled a spring of fresh, clear water, and in this place had he carved for himself a hall and rooms. Of these he spoke little, though, saying only that his work was less than Durin's, and that no more need be said if that be so.

Then Imbult took his turn, and told how he had awoken amidst shining copper veins, and after much trial had discovered how to work that metal into shapes. Telling this, he brought forth a copper sword from his side, as a show of his work. Kimbult brought up a skirt of copper chains when it came his turn to speak, and his tale was scarce different from Imbult's.

After them spoke Dimbult, and told how he awoke in a small cavern, from whence he emerged into a great valley, full of forests and grassland. And all about this valley lay a ring of mountains of incredible steepness. Of this land, Dimbult told that he purposed to build a great city, proof against all enemies. And when Ergon scornfully whispered that there were no enemies to be had, Dimbult answered gravely, "Yet there will be in days to come. And those days, perchance, are closer than we know." At this Ergon scoffed, but said no more.

Finally Durin arose, and spoke of all that had come to pass since his awakening. And then did the first Grand Council begin.

The Seven Fathers of the Dwarves were long in debate, and (as has ever been the way of the Grand Councils) there words were not recorded. It is known, however, that the most part of the council was filled with discussion of the elves, for although the dwarves had followed the Marlië when the spoke their language and told of Durin, still questions lingered in some minds, particularly Ergon's.

Also there was talk of connection between the Dwarf Houses, and of great roads that would span from one hall to the next, but there were yet none to do such labor. Speech there was also concerning the making of metals, for Durin, Imbult, and Kimbult were the only three among the dwarves to have yet discovered metals, and Durin's works alone went beyond mere copper.

At length, the first Grand Council came to a close, and soon thereafter did the dwarves depart to their own lands. Each knew his way home by heart, and so none took guide save Dimbult alone, who left Durin's hall with his guides, Airu and Oro. On their journey to Kazad-Dûm, a great friendship had grown between the three, and the elves had begged the leave of their king to go with Dimbult, and request which Orwë did not refuse.

In this way did the Grand Council end, and so came to pass the first meeting of the Dwarf-Lords, to nature of who's lines are here recounted.

The line of Fergon was ruddy of skin, and their hair dark or red. They stood shorter than other dwarves, many reaching only six pûd in height. Also uncommon among the dwarves, the birth of a daughter was near as common in their line as the birth of a son.

The line of Ergon was pale of skin, which in some tended towards grey, and their hair was jet-black. They multiplied rapidly, and twins were not altogether unknown in their line.

The line of Bergon was small in number, and differed in appearance greatly from the other families. Their skin was dark, and their hair black, which turned in them to silver at a young age. They had little talent for metals, but their stonework was renowned among the dwarves.

The line of Imbult was masterful in fields of lore and knowledge, and their talent lay in learning and craft rather than fighting. They were of light skin and hair alike, and they were born as often as not with a mane of white already upon their heads, and soon thereafter upon their faces.

The children of Kimbult were like in many ways to the children of Imbult, though their hair was a shock of gold, a color unknown in other dwarf families. They had skill with words, and were also great workers of beautiful things.

The line of Dimbult was larger in height than others, and it was not uncommon for them to exceed eight pûd. They were masters of combat, and second to none in the making of weapons (though their skill in matters of art and craft was small, and such was rarely of interest to them in any case). Daughters came seldom to their families, and many counted themselves lucky to see the birth of a single female. They were of brown hair, and their eyes were grey.

The line of Durin possessed all the talents and skill of the other families, tempered and blended in measure. Durin's line was ruddy of skin and red of hair. Of this line came many of the greatest figures in Dwarf-lore.

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Next Chapter:

V: Of Mahal's Embassy, and the Wife of Durin.