It began on a fateful night in the Prancing Pony.
Iarlu Ironbrow had once again had too much to drink and was searching for the outhouse. Instead he was to stumble across a room that was occupied by Men at a meeting. What followed is unclear, and accounts differ, but what is known is that the Men in the room, Denephir Westinner and his soldiers, subsequently sent a letter to Fundgi Ironbrow demanding Iarlu's head.
Fundgi refused. He knew his cousin to be a foolish drunkard, a brawler, but Fundgi would be damned if he would simply hand him over to any ruffian demanding his head.
So Fundgi replied back that he would meet with the Westinners in Bree some days later.
In the meantime, Fundgi spoke with Iarlu, who was adamant that he had been attacked by the Men. Under the wise council of Erurrainon of Edhelion, a teacher and chronicler in Gondamon, Fundgi gathered a party of his folk and headed for Bree.
Gathering at the fountain outside the Prancing Pony the People of Gondamon waited for the Westinners to arrive.
Iarlu was under strict orders to remain quiet. Stone Guard Captain Mubben and Stone Guardsman Naufi son of Nafi were there to keep an eye on him, while Erurrainon and Master of Bounds Frugli stood by Fundgi. They were also joined by Fundgi's father Undgi - head of the Ironbrow family, who realised the gravity of the situation.
The Westinners arrived in their menacing red uniforms. Denephir Westinner led them.
The meeting began politely, both sides introducing themselves, although it would not take much for it to turn ugly.
Immediately, the Men demanded Iarlu's head, and Iarlu could not keep quiet. Constantly, he yelled and hollered like a hound and Naufi had trouble keeping him at bay.
Furthermore, the Men could not stop themselves from insulting Iarlu and the rest of the Gondamon-folk again and again.
To make matters worse, Denephir Westinner made some outrageous demands of Fundgi, including swearing oaths to less-than-deserving Men and paying gold tribute.
Having heard the side of the Men, Fundgi told Iarlu to apologise. He refused.
The Men continued to mock the Dwarrows and Guard Captain Mubben snapped. He slapped one of the Men across the cheek. In a flurry, swords were drawn and insults hurled, and in the confusion, Iarlu lunged at Denephir Westinner, knocking him down.
It was at this moment, that Undgi Ironbrow proved himself to be the Dwarf of renown that he was known to be. Bellowing a single word: "Enough!", the ancient Dwarf stood between the two groups and made a decision. All became silent as he turned to Iarlu and disowned him, banning him from using the Ironbrow name ever again.
Iarlu turned pale and was speechless. He sunk back, distraught.
Undgi then turned to the Men and apologised for Iarlu's behaveour in the name of all Ironbrows and of Gondamon.
Following this, Fundgi demanded a retraction of the outrageous demands of Denephir Westinner, but this was met with scorn.
Once again, it seemed that it would come to violence, were it not for the Bree Town Watch. Breaking up the parties, the Watch ordered the People of Gondamon to leave, and so they did.
This matter was not yet over, however. Battle was on the horizon, and much blood may yet be spilt due to the foolishness of Iarlu, no longer of the Ironbrows.
