Three of dwarven royalty gathered around a table at the Inn in Esgaroth. Thror the King of Erebor was seated already at the head of the table.

"Greetings and Long Life, Grandfather." Thorin said with a bow to the king, then took his place at Thror's left hand.

"Greetings my King, and son" Thrain bows as he takes a seat at the table.

Thror speaks. "And you, loyal Thorin." he smiled as his grandson sat down, then saw Thrain approach from the stair, and nodded, then waited until his son Thrain greeted him. "And to you my loyal son, Thrain. Thank you both for meeting with me here tonight."

Thrain smiles and nods "Of course father. Your message seemed most important."

“Of course, Grandfather,” Thorin replied. “You are our king, and we will always do your bidding." Thorin had a lively, optimistic expression tonight, not the serious expression of the last several months. "And Greetings and hail to you father as well."

Thrain notices a change in his father, as if on the verge of a momentous decision in the fate of their people.

Thror smiled affectionately at his son and grandson. "In two mornings hence, we will be standing before the gate of Khazad Dum and will battle Azog the Pale Orc and his foul minions. We are prepared. I wish to hear from you if others will come to aid us besides our kin in the Iron Hills who have already promised 500 warriors. You, Thorin, have returned from the Blue Mountains and I wish to hear your report. Also, tell me if you have heard from Balin and whether either Rohan or Gondor will come to our aid."

Thorin explained, "The Lord of the Blue Mountains promises 1000 warriors, already marching to join us at the gates. Balin sent me a raven with a message that King Theoden also will send 500 of his Rohirrim astride their great horses. His report is that the Steward of Gondor, young, recently ascended Lord Denethor is unwilling to send an army but gives permission to his people to do as they will individually."

Thror smiled. "That alone triples our numbers. 3000 strong and the riders of Rohan count as twice their number. My son Thrain. Have you any news for us?"

Thrain nods, smiling at the news of their swelling ranks. he bows his head solemnly. "I believe this is primarily a War of the Dwarves and Orcs father. And fear when men shall be with us in battle. Our estimate of the Orc army, scum that they be, swarm through Moria like vermin, and number in the many 1000's."

Thror listened and nodded. "Men are not always true to their word. You, Thorin have met the young King of Rohan. Tell me if you trust Theoden to keep his. His father Thengel had such honor he might as well have been a dwarf. What of his son?"

Thorin replied with confidence. "The same true heart of Thengel beats in the breast of Theoden. I doubt it not. I could see in his eyes the light of honor."

Thrain holds his head high at this as if buoyed by hopes of a shared victory with such men. He smiles and adds "But be they stout of heart or not father, we are more than enough to face these defilers of our mines."

Thror nodded. "Your capacity to read hearts has always been keen, Thorin. I trust your assessment. The men of Rohan have always been a truehearted breed of men. Unlike those of Gondor that wage constant petty wars amongst themselves for lordly power, the men of Rohan have hearts like those of Durin's sons. I trust their word."

Thrain pounds his fist on the table "Aye, Aye!"

"My son Thrain,” Thror turned to him. “You are the most valiant and courageous of dwarves. I name you commander in chief of this army. You will lead us all to victory. You have authority to determine strategy without seeking my approval. I will be fighting alongside both of you. And you Thorin are charged with leading a chosen echelon to take out The Pale Orc. You will answer to your father but may make what decisions you need while carrying out plans."

Thrain bows decisively. "I am humbled by your trust father and shall not let our people down. We shall clean our axes with Orc blood, and hammer them into the earth, their final resting place!"

Thorin spoke, "I am honored by your trust Grandfather, my king, and will not fail to give this charge everything within me."

Thrain vows, "Long have I heard of the rumor of their warrior Azog. He shall fall first, and we will thus cut the head of their snake off!" He smiles at his son "Valiant and true you are, son, forged in the fires of Erebor!"

Thror nods to them, "Your pledges and courage set fire to my heart, my Heirs. None of us know if we three will all survive this, but I cannot imagine feeling more sure of the future of our people than I do having such a son and grandson as you." Thror's voice spoke clear and golden and his eyes were wet with emotion. "You make me very proud."

Thrain looks to his father, "Durin’s folk shall survive father, of that I am certain. And we shall retake our homeland, of that too I am certain. We shall meet with our kin and discuss our plan of battle and clear our way to our destiny."

Thorin nodded, having nothing to add, but the fire in his eyes said it all. He was behind his grandfather entirely.

Thror takes something from his hand and holds it out to Thrain. "This is for you my son, the ring of the Sons of Durin. Long has its power protected us and made us strong, even led us to great lodes of treasure beneath the earth and brought us wealth untold. It will be yours now to bear and in time when you are king, you will continue this great legacy." The ring was dark silver in color with a charcoal black onyx stone in it.

Thrain cannot hold back the tears or the significance of this moment. "No, father, I am not worthy yet, you shall wear this for many years more!"

Thorin looked at his father with pride. his eyes said 'it is as the king wishes. You are worthy'.

Thrain looks at Thorin, and hears the call of duty, obedience and reluctantly takes the ring from his father.

Thror affirmed, "You are worthy my son. I know it as I have never known anything more surely. Take it and wear it into battle. It has power. I hope to survive this war, but I grow old and greater is my hope that you and Thorin shall survive. Hence I desire you to have this power."

Thrain slides the ring on his left hand, and solemnly pledges, "This I keep for my father on this hand, so that it may never fall into another’s hands and to hold it high, as long as our King will continue to sit upon his throne. And keep it safe, and its power for his people." He stands and holds the ring high. "This I swear! By this ring, grant us victory!" He then sits down in silence.

Thorin's eyes shone with emotion. He did not try to dry the tears, for a dwarf weeping for pride and joy was nothing to be ashamed of. "Thrain, my dear father, you stand like Thror and the kings of old. You fill me with courage and hope." He turned to Thror and bowed to the king's great wisdom. "Wise Thror, your will is supreme, and your word will be done."

Thrain looks at Thorin with loving eyes. “To have a son such as this is a man’s wish granted by all gods that be.” He looks around the table. "We three, shall in a fortnight, sit and sup again, to toast our victory, laugh at our fears and praise our people who won the day. I drink to this!" he stood and raised his glass high.

Thror stood up and spoke. "My son Thrain, you honor me this day beyond all honor. And my grandson Thorin you do me honor no less than your father. Mahal strengthen you, harden your armor and shields, sharpen your weapons, and add force to the blows you strike. May the Lady of Light illuminate your paths and keep the fire within burning hot as the sun and stars. May the Lord of Wind grant you speed. May the Mother of Life keep you healthy and strong. May the Lord of Dreams give you guidance and vision and the Lady of Compassion heal you of any wound. And may Durin the Deathless breathe courage into you and empower you to be true to his legacy. And may the One, the Allfather, who gave us our souls, who had mercy on Mahal and received us into his family, ever be the bright light of wisdom within you, even the Flame Imperishable." He raised his tankard high to join with Thrain. "To laughter and joy upon our victory."

Thorin stood and raised his flagon as well. "To victory and a new home for the Sons of Durin, even our first home that Durin himself founded in ages past."

Thrain reaffirmed in a loud voice, "TO LAUGHTER AND JOY AND VICTORY!"

"HEAR, HEAR!" Thorin added.

"VICTORY!" shouted Thror. And they drank.

Thrain rejoined, “And to that which is most dear to us. OUR KING!" using the flagon of ale to salute his father and then Thorin "and My Son!"

Thror responded in kind, "To my Son and Grandson, my HEIRS!"

Thorin also added his intent, "To the most noble Father and Grandfather any dwarf could hope to have!"

They all drank the toast then sat down again.

Thrain spoke, “Such a feeling of strength and bonds of love shine forth, as have not been felt so keenly for many a year. As if the dawn of all Durin’s folk is again rising from the shadows.”

Thror's heart was made glad and his love for his son and grandson knew no bounds.

Thorin felt such joy as he thought now with naught but hope on the victory awaiting them before the gates of Khazad Dum. "Durin's halls will ring yet again with the joy, the laughter the songs and the hammers of his children."

Thror smiled to them both and spoke. "Let us rest now that tomorrow we may arise fresh to lead our army on the march to Khazad Dum and there hail the friends who come to aid is in this noble conquest, our kin of the Iron Hills and of the Blue Mountains, and our spirit-kin the noble men of Rohan. To friendship!"

he raised another toast.

"Friendship!!" Thorin affirmed.

"Aye father, to friends!" Thrain replied in kind, and they drank.

Thror spoke again, "My sons I thank you from the depths of my soul for coming this night. Now you have my leave. Go and pray to the Three Fathers, to Eru the One, to Mahal the Smith, and to Durin the Deathless. Then receive rest unto body, mind, heart and soul."

Thorin smiled with love. "Renewal of rest unto you Thror King and unto you father."

Thrain bows to his father’s advice and goes to him to strong-arm an embrace that they have known since he was a lad. He slaps his father on his back, pushes him away between his arms and smiles. Nothing is said, but all is known.

"My Son!" Thror says as he embraces Thrain and kisses him on each cheek.

Thrain bows and goes to his son and does the same. "Tomorrow son we shall be arm in arm. and form as strong a gate as none have seen."

Thorin replied, "Father, I will always honor and love you!" he returns his father's dear embrace. "And Yes, we three shall be as one and vanquish the foul foe."

Thrain smiles at his son and says, "and I love you both. Tomorrow be ours!" He bids his father Thror and son Thorin a good night and goes to walk among the people to shore up their strength before retiring.

Thorin approaches Thror to embrace him. "Grandfather you are most dear to me. I shall fight for our people's victory and also to keep you and Father from death."

"I love you Thorin,” the king replied. “You were always such a good lad and now you are rising to be a great Son of Durin. Be well and sleep restfully." he hugs Thorin back and kisses his cheeks. "I will come up to bed shortly. I wish to remain here and think and pray alone."

Thorin smiled, "Sleep well dear Grandpapa." Thorin said affectionately then turning, climbs the stair to their stateroom.

Thror sits in the dark. Despite all their affirmations of faith, his soul is shadowed by doubt.