Foundry Fun and Friendship with Fin

Dwarven King Borelek and his dwarven friends, Master Smith Mori, Knight of Erebor Grathun, and High Priestess Zhaideth are chatting in the Erebor Foundry, when there arrived a new face, Nfinuesi or "Fin", a dwarven lass with strong smithing training and skills. The discussion expands to learning about her, telling them about us, and delving a bit into dwarven spirituality and philosophy, with no small smorgasbord of attitudes about that LOL.

"So we are well-stocked then, Master Mori?" the king asked the Master Smith with a smile.

~Fin, a newly arrived dwarf, smiles warmly "Good evening."

"Oh my yes, fifty each of swords, axes and war-hammers, my liege." ~Mori the smith answered, straightening up, his ample chest protruding with pride. The smith turned and smiling, nodded to the yet-unfamiliar dwarven lass. "Greetings, sister. I am Mori Goldbeard."

Grathun was listening to Mori and the king talking, then noticed a new dwarven female approach and greet them. ~He half-smiled, (which for him was a full smile for strangers). "Greetin's lass, I be Grathun Orcsplitter, Knight of Erebor." ~he said with evident pride.

Fin: ~My smile matched your own. (It is good to be among those I would hope to consider friend.) ~I drew my hand upon the tip of the fur cloak I was wearing "It is indeed good to meet you. My name is Nfinuesi, though those known to me call me Fin." ~Nodding then to the other, who had spoken, stepping a bit closer to the warmth of the forge. “I have been told there is a possibility of attack, I don't venture often, though prevailed upon myself to help if able, in the forge. I come from a long line of metal-smiths " The gold necklaces glittering in the shine of the fires.

~The priestess smiled warmly to the newcomer, (not terribly interested in smithy talk). "Welcome dear sister, Fin. I am Zhaideth, servant of the Three Fathers." (meaning the three Divine Fathers of the dwarven people.)

King Borelek spoke. "Well, The Lady Galadriel of the Noldor elves from Valinor is a gifted seer and said she has had visions of Sauron preparing an army and attacking the free peoples of Middle Earth, more especially our Alliance of dwarves, elves, humans, and the hobbitfolk."

~Grathun spat upon the floor when Sauron's name was mentioned.

~ Mori nodded. (They had all been in Lothlorien when the Lady had revealed her prophetic visions to them.)

~ Fin Issued a gutteral grunt, nostrils flaired "Like to see them try!! I've come to learn to fight, iffin' you are so inclined to teach.. I've good arms and a strong heart" ~Chin lifts as eyes darken, narrow momentarily .

~Zhaideth nodded in silence. (She had found the news most unsettling.) ~She turned to Fin. "Skills can be taught. But a heart of valor is what makes a great warrior, something I can see you have in abundance." ~she smiled. "You will be a huge help to us all."

~Mori nodded toward Fin. "We can definitely use another smith, Fin." ~He smiled and looked rather relieved (that he might have help in the foundry).

~The king listened (to see how Fin would respond to Mori's offer).

Fin: ~Kicks my left boot, right hand extends then, showing the calloused palm, " I can work hard m'Lady " ~A tilt of auburn hair. " Well, tell me about yourselves then… Not one to really be able to talk comfortably, my speech halted, broken form years of disuse. I would greatly appreciate any lessons you may bestow" ~ Fin laughs, turning then to Mori "Aye, I can impress you with the work sir, I will not disappoint with my ability to forge, my father, mothers and theirs before have all been forgers."

"You speak fine,” the king remarked. “You say what needs to be said. The rest is just decoration. As for myself, I was born to be King of this realm. Then I fell in love with my second cousin Kavarek, from the same great grandfather king Durin the 4th, also father to son, from his second son, so rather than call him a Consort Prince, I insisted he be installed as a second Cosovereign King upon our wedding that we might rule as equals."

Fin: ~I bow deeply, the light suddenly illuminating the king’s crown.. Hastily I rise, (not realizing I was in the presence of the King, the chambers left to me had not allowed the talent of knowledge in these things. But I did know Crown meant King) " So sorry your highness, I did not realize," ~again I look quickly and bow to royalty present " It is indeed a kindness to know you all" ~laughing then, the goofiness slowly eeking out of my stance. (It had been a long journey and I was unable to read or write, hands meant to forge and not much else, the hope of being able to draw a bow, or axe, excited laced my eyes, hopeful for a good first impression) " There are a lot of words on the road Sir, your majesty... Some, I canna decipher... Oh I’ll get along soon enough " ~Laughing then, looking to everyone

Mori spoke, "So glad to have you join out team, Fin. We can use you. We need to make more short-blades and daggers for the hobbit-folk, and more spears, also many arrowheads of dwarven steel that we can ship to the elves to make arrows for their bows." ~he paused, (thinking about how to tell his story). "Was born here in Erebor to smith parents, both of them. Been working here my whole life. Mum passed away some time ago birthing my sister and Dad passed away from an injury that got infected a few years ago. I was alone until... " he smiled and nodded toward Grathun."...Until I met him."

Grathun looked up and smiling winked to Mori. "Warrior me whole life, born and trained in Khazad Dum or Moria as it be known in Common Speech."

~Fin nodded to Mori, (taking in the list of weaponry, all familiar to my forge, with the supplies here, we will quickly and efficiently be able to arm the hobbit-folk and elves, though I had not seen them myself. I turn to you listening as the story is warm, I can see the respect you have for Grathun, he must have helped a great deal, the death of a parent can change a dwarf, the agony of loss... Yet you seemed so content here..) ~I looked to Grathun "I see you both have a passion for this king, this kingdom of our shared heritage.. To be united in focus and determination to succeed, Sauron…" (knowing I mispronounced it), I laugh " Whatever the name.. He will regret ever laying intent upon a Dwarf! "

Zhaideth spoke up. "I too have lived my whole life in Erebor. My father was a miner and my mother sold toys in the markets in Dale. From a young age I spent much of my time in the temple, watching the priests and pestering them with endless curiosity about the Divines. In time my parents asked if I had a career in mind and I told them boldly my plan was to serve the Divine Ones by serving the spiritual needs of our people." she smiled. She turned to Fin. "Your Zeal to protect our people is a light to me. I am so very happy you have come to our City."

"As am I,” King Borelek added. “Master Smith Fin I name you." he said a little ceremoniously. "You will work here as one coequal to Master Mori and the other Masters. Feel free to take apprentices and assistants as you see fit."

Fin to Zhaideth: ~at the word divines, I tilted my head curiously, looking over the finery you wore, (the divinity scared me a little), the ignorance apparent upon my visage…"Do you know... know spells M'Lady?" ( I had never known magic outside of Dwarven stories my family had told me.. I was suddenly extremely curious and awed, laced with fear.) "You fair woman, are much more powerful than any dwarf with a battle axe!"

Fin to Borelek: ~Brightening then, (I have never had but young dwarves to aide in my work.. I look to Mori, pride and happiness lining dark framed eyes, )"I thank you Sir, and will do my best to make you, to make our name Dwarf proud!! "

Zhaideth explained, "Divines are Eru, the Allfather, the giver of immortal spirit, also called the Flame Imperishable. Also the Valar or Guardians of the World, the first beings Eru made, who created Arda. Of the Valar, we name Mahal, whom the elves call Aulë, the Father of the dwarves, since he made the first seven fathers and seven mothers from stone and gave them life. Third is Durin the First Father of our western nation of dwarves. Others in the East and South in Harad come from others of the Seven Fathers of the dwarven nations."

Fin asked, "Whom do you favor M'Lady? Do you have an affinity towards one?" ~I tilt my head gently.

Zhaideth replied, "All three are our fathers, Eru of our souls, Mahal of our bodies, and Durin of our western nation. But I always felt the most feeling toward Eru."

Fin spoke, " Ahh Eru, the all father." (I tried to imagine such a soul), ~nodding respectfully

~Mori listens with interest to the spiritual discussion.

Zhaideth continued, "He it was who came to rebuke Mahal for making the dwarves before the Elves, the firstborn of Eru could awaken. Mahal felt terrible that he had unwittingly disobeyed Eru and raised his great Hammer to smash his creations to bits, but the first fathers and mothers in that moment shrank from the Hammer and Mahal realized that Eru had given them souls of their own, of the Flame Imperishable. Eru told Mahal because of his humility and willingness to destroy the dwarves he had made, and because of his great love for them, Eru had accepted them as an adopted third kindred of his children and given them souls of their own and directed Mahal to lay them to sleep for a thousand years under the mountains, until after the Elves awoke."

~Grathun grimaces. (Durin and Mahal were his gods. All this talk about some being of spirit without form was hogwash to him.)

~The king nodded to the familiar story of the Genesis of the Dwarves.

Fin: (As she speaks I find myself enchanted, the tale seeming to weave itself into the very walls, a presence seems to be around us, a slight shudder of the Flame Imperishable…) "Well thankful, Mahal’s hammer was stayed, or we'd all be walking a few feet smaller than we already are " ~Laughing lightly, (trying to dispel the eerie phantom of whispers that seem to fill the hall in my imaginings.)

Zhaideth spoke again, "I believe Eru came to test Mahal, already intending to give consciousness to the dwarves. Mahal passed the test of humility and so the Dwarves came to be in fullness, because of Eru's love and mercy." she explained.

Fin spoke, "It is with mercy we live these lives, the ability of my hammer and anvil. Aye I do see which you speak, I feel I will learn a great deal within this hall, it will be a lifetime lesson upon things I know not. Work? I know, the sound of an anvil and hammer, I know, the forge and blessings this life has I'm learning about" ~I laugh lightly

~Mori smiled. "I guessed love had to be reason we were made… what else could have prompted Mahal to make us?"

Fin piped in, " That and a good battle axe! " ~I Laugh loudly, slapping my thigh.

Grathun muttered barely audibly under his breath. "To kick the arses of the snooty elves and split orcs in half with an axe. That's what!"

~The king laughed and smiled patiently at all their responses. (He loved his people, all of them, whatever their opinions and attitudes were.)

Fin: ~Grunts towards Grathun hearing him mutter..

~Grathun heard Fin's grunt of humor at his quiet remark and he turned and smiled a bit more warmly than before.

Mori laughed. "Grathun, you would think that way. But I love you all the same."

~Zhaideth smirked at Grathun's comment. (She adored the dour warrior, knowing the strength of the heart that beat in his chest.)

Fin spoke. "If I'm to get a good start tomorrow, I'll seek my rest, it was a pleasure to meet you all."

Zhaideth said to Fin. "Rest Well Fin. Durin watch over you."

Fin: ~I bow respectfully and turn to make my way towards my chambers

Mori said to her, "Aye, get rested up. Tomorrow will be a hard working day for all of us."

~Grathun nodded and smiled again to Fin. "Sleep like a Rock, Fin." he said bluntly.

“Sleep well, Fin,” King Borelek added his wellwish.