I cannot tell you what I saw on the way through the winding passages nor do I recall any of the many dwarves we passed by. My whole mind was concentrated on the upcoming introduction. Dorbryn and Greirr left us as we came to another hall, this less wide but no less imposing from this open space banded doors led off in several directions above the lintels were dwarfish runes which I assume were the family names of those who lived in this section of the mountain. Gimli paused before one door and seemed to brace himself before pushing it open and entering I having little choice trailed behind him and found myself standing in a well-appointed chamber. Comfortable seats and tables were scattered about. In niches carved into the rock walls were a examples of intricate and beautifully decorated jugs, chargers and goblets. On the polished stone floor there were thick brightly colored rugs and like all of the inside of the mountain home of the dwarves of Erebor I had seen so far the ceilings were very high so that my fear of constantly banging my head had been swiftly dispelled.
It was the sort of room I could enjoy staying in even though there were no natural sources of light. Save for the wave of disapproval and disapprobation coming from the two figures who awaited our arrival.
Lord Gloin I recognized from our meeting at the Council in Imladris. His hair was silver as was his beard but his eyes were as sharp as ever. He stood beside one of the chairs that flanked the fireplace, one hand on the shoulder of the other occupant of the room. My eyes were drawn from Gloin to the being I presumed was Lady Vonild. Her hair showed no sign of silver, it was as black as coal. Her beard also black was braided with red and green jewels, her dress was a rich red and she wore a wide belt of what seemed to be beaten gold. Her expression was forbidding as her gaze swept over me and went on to her son.
"Be welcome in our home again Gimli son of Gloin."
"I am happy to be so Vonild daughter of Urhild." Gimli responded formally.
I saw her eyes soften as Gimli went forward to kiss her cheek, saying chidingly "I am happy to see you well, Mam."
Vonild's hand caressed her son's head briefly as she replied "As am I happy to have you returned to us safely my son."
Gimli turned to his father offering a warrior handclasp but Gloin crushed his son to him holding him close as he too welcomed him home.
As Gimli stepped back from this embrace his mother turned her attention to me once more and her eyes were as hard as agate as she looked me up and down. "At the behest of my king Thorin Stonehelm I make my home yours during your short stay under the mountain Legolas son of Thranduil king of the Wood."
It was hardly what I would have called a warm welcome. Vonild clearly did not wish me to be here and it seemed was only suffering my presence because she had been told to do so by King Thorin. From the corner of my eye I see Gimli stiffen at the coldness in his mother's voice and I hasten to speak so that an argument could be avoided.
"I thank you for your welcome Lady Vonild, and thank you for your offer of hospitality." I incline my head at her then turn to Lord Gloin and bow again this time as one warrior to another "Lord Gloin, I am happy to see you again."
Gloin at least acknowledges my words with a grunt and a nod but he does not offer any further words of welcome seemingly leaving it to Vonild to lead the way. This she does by suggesting that I might wish to freshen up after my journey. Since this is clearly a ploy to be rid of me I agree hurriedly for I want nothing more than to be out of her disapproving presence. Gimli is still frowning but seeing that I wish to go he is about to escort me when his mother asks him to remain with her and sends Lord Gloin to show me to the way to my bedchamber.
Gloin bows himself out of the room almost immediately leaving me to sit down on the edge of the bed and put my head in my hands. I wish desperately that I had never come here for my presence has clearly ruined Gimli's homecoming and it is plain I am not wanted here.
Hardly has Gloin left me than I hear raised voices back in the main room. Normally I would not have listened, for eavesdropping is very wrong, but today I cannot help myself and the more I hear the sorrier I become that I had made the journey to Erebor.
"That was not a very warm welcome Mam" That is Gimli
"Warm enough for the get of Thranduil," Vonild returns "I have not forgotten that it was he who imprisoned Gloin even should you have done so."
"I have not forgotten either, but if I have not forgotten then I have been able to forgive, for there were faults on both sides and much has gone on in the world since then. It is more than time for these old prejudices to be laid aside. Dwarves and elves fought together to see the end of the evil of Sauron. Can you not now extend at least a little warmth of welcome to one who I have named axe brother?"
There was a sharp intake of breath from Gloin and Vonild at this pronouncement "Axe brother?" Gloin questions his son
"Aye, Da, I have fought at the side of yon princeling for more than a year. He is brave, fearless in battle and puts the safety of others before his own. At least twice during the time I was with the Fellowship he saved my life. What else should I call him? What is more I am honored to call him friend and it grieves me that those I love would treat him so coldly when he has come here in good faith to try and mend fences between the wood and the mountain."
"Old enmities are hard to discard sometimes " Gloin growls "But if that stripling has indeed saved your life then he deserves my thanks for that at least and so I will tell him."
"Thank you" Gimli responds, "And what of you Mam?"
"I am grateful for what he has done" Vonild responds, "But I shall be glad to see him gone from my hearth."
I wince at the cold in her voice and quail further when Gimli replies equally as sharply to her words "we will be gone as soon as our audience with King Thorin is over. I will return to Eryn Lasgalen with Legolas for I promised his father I would see him safe home again and from there travel south to Rohan. You have my apologies for bringing a friend home and expecting him to be given a warmer welcome."
And then I hear Gimli turn on his heel and head towards where I am sitting and wonder how I am to face him after having heard what had passed between him and his parents.
The introductions I had hoped would go smoothly were a miserable failure. Short of refusing to let us stay in their home, it could not have gone much worse than it did. The daughter of Urhild must be the most stubborn and contrary female to ever set foot under the mountain, and though my father may be slightly softer, he will not officially change his view if it means going against his beloved. Of course I still love them both dearly so it breaks my heart that we must cut short our visit, but I cannot allow Legolas to stay in a place where it has been made exceedingly clear that he is not wanted. After the grand welcome I received from King Thranduil it seems a real slap in the face that my own folks are being so hard-hearted. Still the King invited him and we could still have some positive results, but I have decided we will leave as soon as possible after our audience with Thorin, which will probably take place tomorrow, or the next day. I cannot say I am entirely surprised by this reaction, but the disappointment is staggering anyway. Yet I must rally my spirits in order to repair as much damage as I can with my elfling, for there is little doubt that he has overheard our argument, and must be feeling as down hearted as I am right now.
I walk to the closed door of the bedchamber and paste a smile on my face before knocking once and then entering. Legolas sits on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands, and looks up when I enter the room. He looks as unhappy as I have ever seen him, and it is more than clear that he has heard all that was said between my parents and I, and I regret ever allowing him to accompany me here in the first place. I should have left him at home with his doting father, where he is much petted and adored by the whole household. All the lofty plans we had to restore peace between our two realms now seems like a ridiculous fantasy, that was not worth making the lad so miserable for. I sit next to him on the bed and put my arm around his slumping shoulders. I do not even try to pretend all is well.
"Well that turned out to be a spectacular flop, didn't it Lad? Perhaps had I brought Sauron himself it might have been worse, though I'm not so sure even about that!" He does not laugh at my jest, but merely groans and leans toward me, placing his head on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Gimli," he says.
"Nonsense, Child, there is no reason to be sorry," I reply. "Your behavior was perfect, your manners impeccable, your posture straight, your hair gleaming and your smile dazzling." I continue trying to coax a smile. "Anyone else would have been perfectly charmed. It is just that Lady Vonild has dragon scales around her heart and they are very difficult to penetrate when her mind is made up to something. We were fighting a lost cause it seems."
I am gratified when he graces me with a half grin, and I pat his shoulder and stand up, trying to sound hearty and cheerful, "Come, Lad, let's seek out Lady Dorbryn and convince her to feed us."
"I am not hungry."
"You must not let my obstinate mam ruin your first chance to try real dwarven fare!" I insist. "Besides, you were hungry an hour ago, and Lady Vonild has retired for the night. We will not hear from her again until morning. I will go freshen up while you do the same and then I will return for you. No arguments!" I say before he can form a protest.
It is only a moment before I am rapping on the heavy door of Dorbryn's small suite of rooms where she has lived with Greirr since the death of her husband in a mining accident when she was with child. She opens the door quickly as if she has been expecting us, and invites us to sit at her table which is already heaped with roasted meats, rich gravies and steaming platters of colorful vegetables dripping with butter and sauces.
"I expected you might come, and while you may wish to eat in the public dining hall, I had hoped to have you to myself tonight, Brother," she says. "I have retrieved everything from the main kitchen and I have been keeping it hot. I hope it pleases you."
"It pleases me, Little Sister, and you please me as well," I say kissing her cheek. "Your kind welcome eases my heart."
"I take it things did not go well with, Mother?"
"That would be putting it mildly indeed."
"I am not surprised. You know how she is Gimli." She turns to address Legolas as she serves him first. "You must not take it personally, My Lord. She is a difficult wall to breech and nothing short of handing her the Great Red Axe itself is likely to move her."
"So she is still taking on about that axe is she?" I ask.
"Aye, she considers it a personal affront to her that the menfolk have not been more aggressive in trying to retrieve it. Being a kinswoman to the King, she feels it is her duty to see it returned to its rightful place before she leaves this world."
"Well if sheer willfulness can return it, it will soon be hanging in its reserved place of honor." I laugh.
"I would like to hear more about this famous Red Axe, Elvellon," Legolas says speaking for the first time since we arrived.
"Yes Uncle, tell the story of Barazantathul!" Greirr agrees enthusiastically. So after we have finished eating the best victuals I've tasted since leaving for Rivendell, I light my pipe and begin the tale.
I tell of the great battle of Nanduhirion where Dáin Ironfoot's father, Náin, was slaughtered by the infamous Orc chief Azog. Náin's neck was broken in the fight, and Dáin, who was just past the age of battle readiness, courageously used the Red Axe to remove Azog's head from his filthy shoulders. The axe went everywhere with the young warrior, until the time came where it was lost during the Battle of the Five Armies. Dáin left the Great Axe buried in an orc's skull and barely made it to safety beyond the crumbling bridge where it is still today considered no longer safe to trod. That is why it has never been retrieved, because of the dangers involved in trying, though my mother would likely say it is just the laziness of the male species that makes it so.
Greirr claps his hands at this telling and Legolas looks intrigued as well.
"Where exactly is this axe, now?" he asks. I can practically see the wheels turning in his scheming head. Not likely that I will answer that question!
"It is not important to the tale for you to know that, Elfling. Suffice it to say that it cannot be retrieved."
"Do you not trust me, Gimli?" He is attempting to look hurt, but I do not let that stir me.
"You know I trust you with my life, Lad. I just do not trust you with your own," I say and to make sure he knows I mean business I add, "Say no more about it."
"But Elvellon…" he tries again, but when I clear my throat and raise an eyebrow in a look he has come to understand, he merely frowns and crosses his arms in a huff.
My sister, trying to salvage the situation, changes the subject.
"I saw that the kitchens had ready some new barrels of ale and it looked like none other than Erebor's finest Bitter! Your friend must not leave here without trying it. Come with me to fetch it, Brother."
Lovely idea that! I follow Dorbryn out leaving Greirr with Legolas to await our return in a few minutes. As we walk she talks of what has gone on in the year of my absence: Greirr's beginning formal lessons, Father's trick knee acting up, the loss of King Dain and his funeral rites. After a while she begins asking of me and my friendship with my elf.
"I can see he is very dear to you," she says, "You treat him with more care than one would a comrade or even a brother."
I tell her of how the lad came to be in my charge, and briefly of our year together and our return to Eryn Lasgalen. "He has become like my own child, Dorbryn. I can think of no other way to express it, and I just cannot let him remain here while Mam is behaving so coldly. I should never have brought him."
She pats my shoulder comfortingly, "Your dilemma is worse than I had thought at first, but keep heart! I think he is charming and Greirr is certainly intrigued. You must be patient and not act too hastily."
Perhaps she is right. No one has been openly hostile anyway, and that had been a possibility in my mind. We arrive at the kitchens and fill our mugs with the beautiful black liquid, leaving a proper thick head of foam. This evening has turned out to be rather pleasant, and as we walk back to her rooms, I think no matter how things play out, it is always nice to be home.
XXXXX
I refuse to be the first to blink so I continue to frown at the young son of Lady Dorbryn. We must look like a very strange pair of mismatched cats involved in a staring match. Why did Gimli leave me here with this dwarfling? I am not a child to be left safely in the nursery with other young ones, even though Gimli appears to believe it to be so.
"Behave yourselves and look after each other" he told the pair of us as he and his sister disappeared out of the door. I am only surprised he did not pat me on the head. My lips twitch as
I see Greirr is struggling to maintain eye contact and then he blinks. I want to cheer at having won but realize that would be considered childish, and belatedly I recall that I need the young one's help if I am going to be successful in what I am considering doing.
My visit to Erebor has so far been a disaster, well perhaps not a disaster but close enough. Gimli's parents have made it plain they dislike me intensely and while his sister has been kindness itself inviting me to share a meal with her I feel uncomfortable and out of place under the mountain. Worse my presence has led to a schism between my friend and his parents, something that I heartily regret. He looked so hurt when he came to my room and yet he did his best to hide his dismay at our reception and attempted to cheer me up.
It was then that I began to wonder if there was any way that I could make amends or improve relations between Lady Vonild and her son. Although I wracked my brains over it, it was not until Lady Dorbryn mentioned the great red axe and Lady Vonild's long held desire to find it and return it to the king and I heard the full story about Barazantathul when Greirr begged a tale from his uncle, that the vague idea that had been floating in my mind began to coalesce into a serious plan.
If I could find it and present it to Lady Vonild maybe she would at least forgive her son for bringing me here. Of course if I am to have a chance of doing such a thing there are several things I will have to set in train and I must not waste this present opportunity.
"Well done Greirr" I commend the young dwarf, who is now blinking furiously. "That was well managed. You almost out stared me and that is no easy thing for someone to do to an elf."
Greirr who had been scowling now smiles "Is it?" he asks eagerly "I have never met an elf before" the youngster hesitates then pleads "will you tell me some stories of the 'outside'? "
"Of course while I am here" My gaze goes to one of Greirr's books "but first would you show me something of your home here in Erebor."
Greirr nods enthusiastically and I wonder if this was how Gimli was as a child, the thought of my doughty guardian being this young and innocent makes me want to laugh and share the jest with young Greirr. Instead I know that I have just been gifted with an opportunity to find out things that I may be able to use to my advantage even though it means I must abuse the youngling's offers of friendship to do it. I hope the outcome will outweigh the fault eventually but I feel guilty doing it even so. I harden my heart and ask "Do you have a book that shows the axe Barazantathul and where it was lost? Gimli's story tonight has made me anxious to find out more about it."
"Oh yes, I'll get it." He hurries off leaving me waiting anxiously hoping that Gimli who is far too sharp brained for my liking does not return and catch me plotting.
Fortunately, Greirr is soon back in the main room, an open book in his hands.
"Here it is" He thrusts the book at me, "Here is a picture of the Great Red Axe. It is magnificent isn't it?" Greirr does not wait for an answer instead he turns another page and says, "And here is a picture of the hall where the battle took place. This is the bridge" he adds one stubby finger tracing the narrow stone walkway that crosses a wide chasm. "Of course this was drawn before the battle and the damage is that area is very bad, so I have been told."
I study the illustration before me intently, committing as much of it as I can to memory. I have to repress a shudder for the dark staircases and deep depths remind me too much of Moria. Still I remind myself I survived that I can do it again and if there is any way I can do this small service for my friend and heal the breach between him and his parents I will. Of course I will have to be very careful if I am to avoid Gimli finding out what I am about. I know far too well the outcome should my dwarven minder get to hear of my plan and my rear end tingles in anticipation. There is an additional problem of course, I have to find an opportunity to carry out my audacious plan and that will be difficult.
"And whereabouts in the mountain is this hall?" I ask trying not to sound too interested.
"Oh, off near the north door, but that way has been blocked for many years now. The bridge is in such a poor state that no one has been able to cross the shaft to make repairs and retrieve the axe."
"Your daernaneth, I mean Lady Vonild," I explain the words to the puzzled dwarfling, "seems to believe it is only a lack of application that stops the Red Axe being reclaimed. She did not seem to think it would at all difficult to get it back."
Greirr laughs as if knowing better than to take notice of his grandmam's grumbling and answers that even the Lady Vonild has admitted in her more reasonable moments that to retrieve the axe would be not only difficult but very dangerous.
I continue to ply Greirr with questions managing to bury my misgivings at using the young one as I am for this may be the only opportunity I will have to find out what I need to know. But I make certain that when the door opens to admit Gimli and Dorbryn the book is closed and I am in the middle of telling a fascinated Greirr about the White City in Gondor.
As we walk back through the still busy hallways I do my best to project an innocent demeanor, chatting about how pleasant it has been talking with Dorbryn and Greirr and wondering how our meeting with the king will go. I hope I have done enough to allay any suspicions but it is sometimes difficult to tell with Gimli and can only hope for the best.
Once I am alone in my bedchamber I take a piece of parchment and begin to sketch out the illustration I had seen in Greirr's book I also search through some of the volumes that have been left on a side table for my edification and pleasure and am delighted to find a book showing how the halls had been developed over the yeni. This worthy tome written in dwarfish runes still provides me with a great deal of information and I add what I have gleaned to the parchment sketch.
Smiling I fold the paper and put it in an inside pocket of my suede tunic where it is unlikely that it will be found by anyone, especially a certain someone by the name of Gimli. He would raise an absolute outcry if he were to get even the faintest whiff of my plans. Of course I admit even if I outwit Gimli there are still several obstacles in the way of my retrieving the Great Red Axe.
The first and most formidable is Gimli himself of course. The dwarf has already said I am not to leave his side while we remain under the mountain. I fall into reverie still trying to find an acceptable answer to this thorny problem. My preferred solution, dropping him into a well during my absence, is tempting, but I have to admit, unlikely to work!
I wake at what I think would be dawn although there is no real way to tell. There seems to be a deal of noise coming from the main room and I can tell that something is amiss. Hoping that my friend is not arguing with his parents again, I listen unashamedly as I hurry through my ablutions. My eavesdropping tells me that this time the problem is not my presence but some catastrophe that had occurred deep in the mountain where new tunnels are being mined. From what I can tell both Lord Gloin and Gimli are intending to go and help with the rescue attempt but want Lady Vonild to take charge of me during their absence something she is apparently reluctant to do.
Her reluctance is nothing to mine. The thought of being under the unforgiving eyes of Gimli's naneth while he goes off to perform a rescue is less than satisfactory in my opinion.
Yet this misfortune may prove to be my opportunity to carry out my plan to retrieve the Great Axe if I am careful. I can only hope so.
My arrival in the main room has the effect of bringing their discussion to an abrupt end. Since I know he will certainly not expect me to meekly accept his arrangements for my entertainment in his absence I say immediately "There is no need for Lady Vonild to stay with me Gimli, I am not a child. I will accompany you and Lord Gloin, there may be something I can do to help you and if there is not I promise to keep out of the way of the rescue."
Gimli lays a hand on my arm, "Nay lad, I thank thee for the offer but I won't have time to worry over you, it is better if you stay here with mother."
I manage a creditable pout, muttering to myself about not needing a carer and then think of something else that might put a spoke in my wheel, the upcoming meeting with King Thorin. "What about our meeting with the king?"
"King Thorin has more important matters to do than dance attendance on you." Vonild snaps angrily.
I flush and am about to try and explain what I meant when Gloin speaks up on my behalf.
"I do not think the lad meant insult Vonild, he just wanted to know if it had been postponed is all. It is the proper thing to have done."
Vonild looks a little abashed but soon rallies. "That is as maybe but I still do not see why I must waste my time here with him when I could be of more use in the kitchens or healing wards. Can he not stay here on his own?"
Annoyed as I am at her words I immediately answer, "Yes"
Even as Gimli says, "No!"
As mother and son square up it is left to Lord Gloin to offer a compromise, "Perhaps Prince Legolas could spend the day with Dorbryn and Greirr?"
Gimli looks relieved at his father's suggestion and I, seeing a chance to escape the eagle eyes of Vonild, agree to this with alacrity, "That is an excellent suggestion Lord Gloin. That way I will not be a burden to Lady Vonild and I did promise Greirr to work on his Westron with him if I had time. This will be the perfect opportunity."
"Then that is agreed" Vonild says rising to her feet, looking as relieved as I am at this reprieve. "You two should be on your way, I will see Legolas to Dorbryn's door so he does not have to walk the halls unescorted."
Gimli looks at me under those dark brows of his and I can see he is suspicious of my too quick acceptance of this arrangement, "You promise you will stay with Dorbryn?"
If I am to allay his wariness I am going to have to act swiftly "Once I get there I will stay until you return or someone else comes to collect me." I promise "Although I still do not see why I cannot come with you and your father." I add angrily.
This complaint seems to settle him for he chuckles "Another time lad, now be good."
And he is gone.
Vonild and I are left staring at each other and it is me who looks away first "I will not put you to the trouble of escorting me to Lady Dorbryn's." I say "I know the way and as you said you have other more important things to be doing. I do not wish to be any more of a burden to you than I have already been. It has never been my intention to cause dissent between you and your son. I am sorry that I have done so." I accompany this with a sweet smile and while the lady merely sniffs I think her opinions of me must be softening a little for she insists I eat first meal before I leave and actually sits with me as I do so.
Then she walks part of the way down to the communal kitchens with me, causing me to panic as I fear she may take me by the hand and escort me all the way to Lady Dorbryn's which will put an end to my plans not to mention embarrassing my eternal life out of me.
But seeing a friend of hers she sends me on alone reminding me to behave and not to lead her grandson into any mischief.
I bow and make my escape before she can change her mind, I am happy to see that the hallways are for the most part quiet those not involved in the rescue apparently being busy preparing for the return of those who will hopefully be rescued and I am able to slip away from the main thoroughfares and make off for the North Gate without being seen.
"You promise to stay with Dorbryn?" I am a little suspicious of his willingness to agree to this arrangement, since I know he must be chafing under my restrictions. Perhaps I am being over protective, but I am not certain of the climate here yet, and he has a reputation for finding trouble, plus I have promised his father I will keep him safe. I will not be able to concentrate on this rescue if I am worrying over what the lad is getting up to on his own.
"I promise Gimli. Once I get there I will stay until you return or someone else comes to collect me." All this cooperation is worrying, and I am getting ready to question him further when he continues, "Although I do not see why I cannot come with you." I do not have time at present to explain about all the training it takes to assist in this sort of rescue mission, so I just admonish him to be good, gather my equipment and follow my father out the door.
I am anxious as to what we will find when we arrive to the disaster site: toxic gases, explosions, fire, smoke inhalation, folks trapped or bodies crushed. All are real possibilities when it comes to mining accidents, so we are greatly relieved to find that the situation is not as dire as it could have been. An exit has been blocked when a side tunnel collapsed, trapping several dwarves inside it. The good news is that there are no serious injuries, and the air is good in here. It will be only a matter of carefully removing the rubble without causing further damage and opening up the exit. We begin the tedious work and before long we have made an opening large enough for the ones trapped, to crawl cautiously out. Most of the victims have received only cuts and scrapes from the falling debris, which is part and parcel with this sort of work.
I had expected to spend the entire day on this rescue, but as it has happened we will return before noon meal, so it is with light hearts that my father and I walk back together. It has been pleasant working by his side again, and I remember that I have not yet thanked him for coming to Legolas' defense with Mother this morning. I do so now.
"It was nothing, Lad," he waves away my gratitude with a broad gesture, "I can see that it is important to you that this visit go well, though I am not certain what you were expecting from your mother. You know how set in her views she is."
"I also know that she has a kind heart beneath all her bluster and ranting. I had hoped she would see past the obvious and recognize the lad's good intentions, instead of letting old prejudices rule."
"Then you are very optimistic indeed, but perhaps things will improve when you see the King. You must hope for the best," He says, "Now I think we should collect your friend before heading back. Greirr's questions would wear out even the most patient among us and he may be in need of a reprieve by now."
I laugh at this remembering my nephew climbing all over Legolas and interrogating him with less than polite questions, in spite of his mother's efforts to restrain him. He had managed to unwind one of the elf's braids to see how it was done, and begin an inspection of the pointed ears, before Dorbryn had pulled him off and scolded him to keep his hands off of the guests. I am still smiling at this image as I knock lightly at Dorbryn's door. It is my nephew who opens it. .
"Uncle!" he shouts enthusiastically, and then peers around the doorframe. "Where is Legolas? I have something important to ask him. Why didn't you bring him with you?"
It takes a moment for his words to register.
"He is here with you. At least that's what I thought." I walk in and look around as if that will make him appear, but all I find is my sister looking at me questioningly. She has not seen him, or Mother either. She assumed he was with me. It makes no sense, and it has not even occurred to me to be concerned yet, until I see the illustrated book lying next to Greirr's scattered toys. I pick it up to examine it. It is a book about the Great Axe. The very thorough author has included detailed maps to its whereabouts. A slight shiver runs down my spine.
"Did you show this to Legolas?" I ask my nephew.
He nods vigorously, "He asked special to see it. He's a magnificent starer. First he beat me in a staring contest then he stared and stared at those pictures. He had lots of questions about Barazantathul. I am teaching him all about our history."
My pulse quickens as I realize the full implications of what Greirr is saying. I was foolish to let that crazy elfling depart from my side for even a moment. I should have known he would not settle for the welcome of my sister, but would need to repair things with my mother as well.
"He has gone after it," I tell my sister.
Her eyes grow wide, "You must be in jest. That bridge is a death trap. He would never make it across."
"That I know, but nevertheless that is where he has gone." I am one hundred percent certain of this. I should have tied our wrists together before taking a step away from his father.
I tell my sister to take him back to Mam's if he returns while I am gone, and then I am on my way to the North gate. I know my way, and I do not slow down to answer any questions.
I find the blocked entrance to the cavern that holds the Great Axe and somehow I make my way inside. To my dismay, I find I have come to the wrong place. How could I have made such a mistake? The yawning chasm looks the same, but there is no bridge here, just clouds of dust from fallen debris. Frustrated, I turn to exit so I can find where I have made this mistake, when I notice for the first time that Gloin has followed me.
"We are in the wrong place," I shout to him. Only then do I notice his stricken face.
"We are not in the wrong place, my son," he replies, "the bridge is gone. It has collapsed."