Two dwarves sit at a table near a window, the table is covered in empty mugs. Barliman brings two more mugs over and sets them down on the table.
"These men need to add a little kick to their beer," Golir says.
"You're right there," Norbouc responds "this stuff is like drinking water."
"Weak but beer is beer."
"I'll drink to that!"
"Did you hear that the dourhand were gathering around the Berghold?" Golir asks.
"No, what were they doing?"
"No one knows but given it's them it can't be anything good."
"They started running around the old mines not long ago," Norbouc says. "You should see them working at an old exhausted mine west of the hall."
"What are they hoping to find?"
"Who knows maybe they think there's a hidden gold vein we missed when we were mining it."
"Good luck on that," Golir says "I heard my father talk about that and they left nothing behind. I suppose the elves won't care what they do as long as the dourhand stay away from the refuge."
"They never seem to pay attention to us."
"Lazy pointed ears refuse to help and only come out of their trees when they want some of our jewels."
"I can't even get them to help with those plants I found," Norbouc says.
"What plants are those?"
"These strange red flowers have started growing around Berghold and the old Silver Lode Mines. They're about waist high and just started showing up around the time the dourhand started acting odd."
"You think the dourhands are planting the flowers?" Golir asks.
"I don't know but they make me uneasy. I'd really like someone that knows something about magic to take a look at them."
"The scholars of Thorin's Hall won't help you out?"
"No," Norbouc says "they say their too busy helping get things ready for retaking Khazad-dum."
"That's too important to interupt. I know there are a few elves living in the refuge right now. Have you thought about taking a flower to them and demanding they help?"
"I might have to do that. For now I think I'll watch the dourhand and see what they do."