Two dwarves walk into the prancing pony, they are clothed for the icy north and take seats after getting tankards from Barliman. Both dwarves remove their heavy coats and relax.
"I can't believe all the horrors that filled the ruins without us noticing," Sigrun says.
"The worst of all of it was the spiders," Greip says. "Seeing the creatures beneath me was terrifying."
"I know it really bothered you. I was surprised by how fast they sealed the hole. The webbing was almost too tough to cut."
"I wonder how such a massive spider found its way under the ruins."
"It must have been our mining tunnels," Sigrun says. "The spiders must have found them and started breeding. The number of them was truely terrifying. I couldn't believe the size of their queen. If they had left the caves they would have filled the valley and spread out. If they enjoyed the mines of Helegrod they'd probably seek out all of the dwarf holds."
"Could we talk about something else? Please?"
"The spiders really bother you don't they?"
"Of course they do," Grelp says. "Disgusting crawling things."
Sigrun laughs at his friend.
"What do you think the Angmarium and Corcur were doing inside Helegrod?"
"From what I've heard it was allies of the Angmarium that raised the dragon Thorog. They likely made a deal with the Corcur to help keep people away."
"I know that the Corcur tried to convince the giants to work with them," Grelp says. "I don't think they expected Stovagun to be willing to fight them when given orders."
"You can't expect too much from giants. They always look down at smaller folk."
"I wonder what they were offering the giants."
"From what I heard they tried to give him dominion of the halls of Helegrod," Sigrun says.
"That's just ridiculous. What are giants going to do with halls too small for them to inhabit?"
"I was happy to hear he had been killed. Stovagun was far too violent for my taste. The Thunder Lord wasn't much better but at least he kept to the giant valley."
"I know most of the dragon spawn were slain," Grelp says. "It was just unfortunate that the adventurers arrived during the season the eggs hatched."
"It surprised me that the drakes were born ready to fight. I suppose that's part of them growing to be huge vicious beasts. It would be hard for them to be the threat they are if they didn't live long enough to challenge us."
"The number of drakes I heard inhabited that hall was unbelievable," Sigrun says. "I wonder what the Angmarium do to control them. If we knew how they did it we might be able to stop them from gathering more to battle us."
"I think our band of adventurers did a fantastic job of clearing the hall out. I doubt there are many left."
"You are likely right but I think we should take a large group when we choose to relaim the ruins. I hope to have the chance to destroy the body of Thorog. After what he did to my forefather I want to burn his corpse."
"I am happy to help you with that," Grelp says. "I would love to see the horrible thing going up in flames to ensure it can never trouble us again."
"I suppose the good thing of the dragon appearing again is that we managed to recover Mirdanant. It is good to have our treasure back and for Lord Elrond himself to hand it to Gloin."
Grelp raises his tankard, "To the lasting friendships of the elves and dwarves."
The two drink to the return of their treasure.