I was charged to increase trade exchanges between the Dwarves and my people, and improve relations, which had grown cold over the years. My people understood the need to work together in these dark days, as we Elves have come to recognize that living in isolation benefits no one. And we believed that peaceful relations with the Dwarves was in our interest, and in their interest too, for they would benefit mightily from our trade, and without metals with which to forge weapons to beat back the enemy, we could not help our allies and trading partners, if the Enemy continued to grow in power and influence.
It was time to put our efforts into operation, to execute the plan my lordship had entrusted to me. I nodded to passing dwarves with my best happy face as we were guided through their underground halls and up to a heavy door, doing my best to fight off apprehensions and fears. I felt I was being dragged into a dark hole, and then I began to dread the worst, which was that I would disappear without a trace, never to be seen or heard from again. Of course, this is utter nonsense, but I could not help it. Above us in the caverns, the crystal lights shone a soft amber glow, and the dwarves were very mannerly, and seemed eager to impress their guests, even if we were Elves. Waiting for us inside the hall was Lord Duinn. There was a conciliatory air in his intonation, not the familiar gruffness I am used to hearing when I talk to dwarves, which is not often. I decided instead to concentrate on the business of the business, and not foolish fears.
The atmosphere within the dwelling-place of the Dwarves could only be described as close. There was a fire burning inside a huge fireplace that took up an entire wall. Everyone gathered around a low table on which was placed bread, and cheeses, and fruits: light fare, as that is the custom, when there are weighty business dealings at hand. I was glad that I was not alone in having to face the dwarves. My guards were hand-picked by Lord Anglachelm himself! How many can claim that? Not many, I think! So I was naturally very proud to be there, and proud to be the agent for my Lord Anglachelm's trading business.
Unfortunately, I have discovered that my lordship's high opinion of me is not shared by everyone - in particular, Nirhen, who seems to have long ago given up the ghost of caring about anyone or anything, and the surly ill-tempered guard Erdalir. I do not know the last time I heard Erdalir say anything pleasant, and once, when I pointed this out to him, grinning he told me my robe was very nice: full to bursting with sass is Erdalir.
However, all that mattered today was business and appearances, because at moments like this, these meant everything. I wished I was not wearing such fine and flashy clothing, but had come in the good old sober dark plain robes that I used to wear, before my appointment required me to don the official carmine and gold robes of the Lord Ambassador.
I explained why we had come so far to the Blue Mountains, telling them of the bad condition of the roads and the plight of the lands east. Motioning to Erdalir to place the casket on the table, I showed how we intended to pay for needed metals for our forges, high quality metals that I knew these dwarves could produce. It was an exquisite piece of workmanship, this casket, and when I found the key, I unlocked it and threw open the lid, displaying a dazzling mass of sparkling gems, stones of rare color: pale adamants, leaf-colored beryls, blood red rubies, and sapphires as blue as the summer's sky.
The dwarves examined the gems carefully, humming to themselves, and one of them turned to their lord and said that there were a few fine stones, but most of them were quite commonplace, and there were no moonstones among them. How was I to know dwarves liked moonstones! But before I could say a word, the dwarves huddled in a tight circle, and began muttering. I could hear snatches of their conversation, and, by their talk and gesturing, it was obvious that they considered the gems a poor trade. For greater effect, I sighed loudly, lamenting what my lord would do, if the good dwarves would not agree to a bargain.
Then one of them brought forth a crate and shuffled back, as if whatever was inside was a living thing, something revered. I looked inside and saw neatly stacked ingots of some lustrous silvery metal, but I do not think it was silver. It was very attractive, whatever it was.
Lord Duinn said that three tons of this special alloy was worth far more than the casket of gems. In reply, I told the dwarves that these were some of the cleanest and prettiest little ingots I ever saw in my life. I had that old sinking feeling in my heart that always warned me of a bad situation arising and imminent failure. I looked again at the casket of jewels, taking a mouthful of drink, and washed it around inside my mouth, swallowing slowly, so I had time to think. Upon my word of honour, I did not think the gems were an unreasonable offer for three tons of special dwarven alloy. The truth is, I never dabbled in metallurgy, and I had no idea of the value of a sack of ores, and I could not tell a lump of lead from a lump of iron, but of course, I did not say too much, nor did I tell the dwarves anything that they were not saying themselves, which is always the best course of action, when faced with a group of foreigners. I trusted my companions would speak out, if they did not like the deal. Well, as the old saying goes, be careful what one wishes for! It was not long before Erdalir and Limiriel chimed in like a couple of twittering birds, entirely at variance with the fitness of things, having no bargaining skills whatsoever. I do believe Limiriel drank too much of the dwarven ale, so at least she had an excuse for speaking out of turn.
“O! we can afford to pay more, and we should give the poor dwarves more than that, Lord Ambassador! What about all that gold we brought?” she burst out, just before I could say something about the scarcity of moonstones.
I almost choked on my wine. What was I hearing? Of course, we could afford to pay more, but why should we! I did not reply to Limiriel's absurd proposition, but I felt it my duty to frown and glare at her, and I shook my head, signaling her to be silent. If she had not been cross the room, I would have trod on her toes, as a warning. It is needless to say that I stood upon my original offer. I pretended that I did not hear her, but the dwarves did, and they put their heads together and began muttering again. I saw how one of them turned towards Limiriel and shook his head.
Now I was forced to make do with a bad situation. In order to ease any mistrust, and ‘sweeten the pot,’ I offered the dwarves a sum of gold – five hundred, slightly more than half of what we carried. I was fully prepared to go higher, if needed – but it was not. The dwarves thrust their beards together, and muttered, and murmured, and grumbled, but then their lord turned to me, and said that he accepted the offer. I smiled. These dwarves were not greedy nor short-sighted, like so many of their folk, and they recognized a good trading partner when they see one. Duinn said that his folk hoped to do a more lucrative business with us in the days to come, to make up the lost profit on this first bargain. Of course, I assured them of many more business dealings to come - that was entirely reasonable; knowing the numbers of enemy troops encamped in the Greenwood, we would need more ore delivered to us in a very short time.
They agreed to send the metals with their silver caravans heading to the Red Mountains. Everything was settled – or so I believed! Erdalir pressing close by my elbow was trying to get my attention and tell me he had something to say. I did not meet his gaze, but found it hard to ignore this haughty elf, after he persisted in speaking after I shushed him to keep quiet. Lord Duinn looked mighty curious, and wished to hear what Erdalir had to say that was so very important.
"You did not secure any iron ore in this bargain," said Erdalir.
The grin slid off my face. Why would we need to do that! I was incredulous, and averted my glare to my feet as I could feel anger stirring. I needed to act, before I lost my temper in front of the dwarves and kicked Erdalir in the shins.
"You have no experience in working metals, Ambassador, or sword-forging. How do you know what is needed, when you have no concept of what is involved in weaponsmithy?"
His words were like a pitcher of icy water dashed in my face. These Noldor were determined to take what little credibility I had with the dwarves and trample it into the ground!
The worst thing to do when ending a bargain is to keep talking about it, and change the conditions, when a deal is already decided. A retort from me to Erdalir would reflect poorly on the House, and I considered stating that I might not know anything about metalworking, or swordsmithy, or swords in general, but I could tell a good deal when it jumped up and bit me on the nose. Then I thought against it. Once again, I found myself standing silent in front of a bunch of foreigners as if I had been struck dumb. To say I felt stupid was an understatement. I found myself wishing that both of these Noldor were outside the room and the door closed and locked tight.
Rather than having to change the bargain or admit ignorance, I turned to Duinn and said, "These very fine and choice ingots will do quite nicely.” And, before any of my fool comrades would ruin the entire deal, I concluded it quickly, with a few words of ceremony to our hosts, and a swift drink to many more fruitful bargains with our new trading partners.
Then the Dwarves presented me with a token gesture of good will, but it was far more than a token - something that was much more valuable to the Elves of the Greenwood than the dwarves: an old helm that was recovered from the hoard of the great golden Fire-drake of the North. The dwarves said it had once belonged to the family of King Thranduil himself. Well -! It is very fancy-looking, but a bit heavy, and I cannot see very well through the eye openings. Perhaps one day, I shall return to the North Greenwood, and if I am allowed admittance to His presence, I shall personally present it to his majesty King Thranduil. But for now, I shall keep it on the corner of my desk as a paperweight.
