After the days of summer started to fade and the festivities of Harnkegger had passed business around Ered-Luin shifted back to normal. Wagons came and went from the courtyard of Thorins Hall and many traveler and traders walked with good business and the trees had already started to change in colour. It had been hectic day for Thogen who had finally returned from his business outside of the lands and delegations of military business had finally caught up to him. Paperwork and other mail filled the mailbox outside his home like a bird filling a nest. Over the course of an hour of so of strict reading he could not help but notice a letter with a read seal and the mark of urgency upon it. With a wrinkle of the proud dwarves nose and a squinted eye he reached for a letter opener and read over what the parchment held on it.
" Shamukh Azaghalbad Thogen
It is with great importance I write to you. Over the course of the last few months we are yet t receive a supply wagon from Thorins hall with the food and supplies we claim necessary to our survival. I understand that you have been away and that you over look that travels of local caravans but it is with my hope you will bring us a wagon soon.
On a similar matter to the wagon we also ask a request of new weapons. Lately goblins had been wandering close to us here in Noglond and giving our dwarrows hassle in combat. If you would be so kind we also ask for many bundles of arrows so hand to hand would not be needed against these foul creatures.
Safe travels to you and may we soon speak in person.
- Geitir Chief Guard of Noglond"
Thogen had nearly jumped from his seat reading over the letter and wasted no time rushing from his home within the mountains strong and tall. The clattering of his massive armour echoed like great bells within the neighboring halls while he ran. Passing by was a strong and stout dwarf best know for his military duties and steadfast style of combat, Hroskold raised an arm and hailed. "Shamukh Azaghal-" Hroskold tried to say but Thogen deep voice cut him off " No time! With me Zabad we have urgent business!". And at that the two of them ran quickly out of the crafted stone gates and down the steps of Thorins Gate.
The sun had already started to fade and the brisk cooling air bit at their lungs. It wasn't long until they found themselves walking down the steps towards the courtyard. "Sorry to rush you like this my friend but business is business" Thogen spoke without a doubt in his mind Hroskold would understand and at that the proud features of Hroskold showed a smile then a nod. "A beautiful night Azaghalbad, Autumn is soon here and with that winter." Hroskold almost seemed to speak to the sky, his eyes looking at the beauty the starlight brought out of the great walls and other buildings near the courtyard.
The conversation between the two moved on and on until they reached the stables, Thogen had already haggled a deal with the stable master in taking a pre packed wagon of supplies that was meant to head for Gondamon. The two armoured dwarves took the reins of the goats that had been feeding away and hoisted themselves to the saddles. Hroskoled kicked hard and started to bolt before yelling back to his partner " Meet me ahead, I know where to get arrows like you said!". Knot after knot Thogen tied the wagon to his goat and then with a hard kick to his goats flanks and a slap of the reins they started to make their journey, soft clicks and the sound of turning wheels was almost the only noise in the air darkness seeming to silence the world.
The wagon had reached near the gate and Hroskold wasted no time to bring bundles and bundles of arrows close. A few minutes past and a few beads of sweat ran like droplets of rain down Hroskold's face but the wagon was loaded! After saddling up the two dwarves continued onward to their destination. Hroskold looked at the great gate that separated Thorins Hall from the open roads that stretched along Ered-Luin. "Look at the great crafting of our Folk Thogen! Thick walls of iron and rock! I would reckon even this shadow in the East folk speak of would break off our hold like waves of water off rocks!" Hroskold cheered, Thogen shared a faint chuckle " You are right my friend. I've been speaking to Lord Dwalin about enforcing the portcullis with lumber..".
Time had passed and the cover of night left only two travelers chatting away over the long trip to Noglond. Slick roads and steep hills gave them challenges along the way but it almost seemed nothing could stop the moving wagon. Many more miles of road had been covered and with it the bright moon that once sat on its throne in the sky had passed along as well. Beams of light past over every hill top and mountains peakgiving the world a new day. Hroskold lifted his arm from his tired side and pointed towards the East "Look! Noglond! We made it Thogen!". With another slap of the reins the two goats galloped on the roadway and made short time in reach the outpost from here.
With arms raised and cheers coming from the tops of lookouts guards hailed and welcomed the two with open arms. Like a rushing army the dozen guards who maned Noglond left their watch and came to give aid in unloading the wagon. Dried meats, skins of wine and water, leathers and other fabrics along with sharpened axes, broad swords and pointed arrows had been puled out from the wooden cart. Geitir, a large Dwarf with long following brown hair and a beard to match came close with open arms towards both Thogen and Hroskold " Greetings Master and welcome to Noglond! I see you have received my last letter! How good it is to see the dwarrow excited for a change!" the three exchanged greetings with firm shakes of the arms and a good shoulder slap here and there. Slowly and with ginger steps Thogen and Hroskold walked with Geitir towards the gate, clearly the long saddle ride had not been to pleasant. "Good to see better weapons then the ones we once used, deep chips and dull blades were all we had left. Them blasted goblins have been pillaging travelers down these roads and even dare raise arms against us here at Noglond!" Geitir explained while Hroskold listen with wide eyes, Thogen though had something else on his mind .. the sound of rustling and grunting filled his ears...
" Do you hear that brothers? It comes from near the gate .. " Thogen said with some caution, a habit of his he had placed a hand already on his crafted axe while Hroskold and Geitir came closer and spoke " I hear nothing Azaghalbad". Thogen had nudged Hroskold and together the two strong dwarves walked towards a bush that seemed to shift around a little more then the others. With a single finger Thogen pressed it against his scar on his lips and his bug bushy mustache " Quiet .. a think we are being watched ..". With both dwarves ready the single to strike on three was given and at the drop of Thogens third finger both noble warriors charged into the bush and shouted! Within the bush a terrible cry was heard, nasty fingers raised in the air and ear bleeding weeps curled out of the creatures mouth " Please! Please! Do .. do not kill me!" the goblin moaned. Hroskold placed the tip of his sword against the goblins chest and demanded answers " What business you have here in Noglond! Speak quick!", Thogen brows frowned while his hand held axe at the ready. The goblin pleaded a but more before speaking " Its them nasty dwarves! The-they told me to see what'em Noglond idiots up to!" Hroskold gave an answer of his own pressing the tip of the sword into the goblins skin. Thogen tried to get more information speaking to the creature with a little more reasoning " what nasty dwarves .. where are they?' Thogen waved his axe around a little and clearly intimidated the goblin bowed down and started to draw a map in the snow and dirt " look look!' it said while its yellow nails sketched out a very crude map. With curious eyes both Hroskold and Thogen leaned down to get a better look .. but it was then the goblin seen his chance, throwing dirt, snow and and rock into the eyes of its enemies.
"After it! Get it Zabad do not let it escape!" Thogen howled still trying to recover from the sneaky attack, eyes watering from dirt that stuck under his eye lids. Hroskold had been luck to turn away more quickly and now found himself charging after the goblin and striking at it when ever the chance came. Tackles and checks would throw against the squirming goblin but with every attack it found a way to escape and continued to the West. After a few minutes that felt like an age of chasing Hroskold hand managed to send a heavy shoulder against the back of the goblin then with his long blade he rammed the tip deep into the goblins shoulder and pinning it against a great rock.
"Speak your last words foul creature! Tell us of these Dwarves and I will make your death quick" he shouted. Thogen still rubbed at his eyes but after another minute he had joined in on the mix pressing the beard of his axe hard against the loose skin of the goblins neck and spoke. "We will not play games with you creature, speak now creature for it is a gift to the world to remove a goblins head.". Not matter how hard the two tried the goblin had found new courage and never spoke, the only thing to leave its nasty lips was a glob of green and yellow spit that landed true on the broad chest piece of Thogens armour. The two had had enough and with a single hand Thogen lifted his crafted axe, its runes and details caught the light of the now high sun and twinkled for a second before a quick yet powerful strike hacked the goblins head clean from its shoulders. Hroskold shook his head pulling his blade free then using the goblins tattered robes to remove the blood, "The fear of its master was far greater then the fear of death it seems .."
Thogen had spent some time wondering why the Goblin would not speak, such cowardly creatures often blab on and on about anything to save their skin. Hroskold had taken this time to climb the rock he had pinned the goblin against to see where he was heading. " Lord .. you may want to see this .." Hroskold called out but his voice was a little more quiet then before. Thogen tucked his axe away and slowly but surly climbed towards Hroskold. Reaching the top Thogen placed an armoured hand over his eyes to block the sun and it was then his eyes widened and heart skipped a beat.
Sarnur, the hold sat solid and strong deep within the mountain, crafted walls and houses built withing the strong stone. Fresh wooden walls lay wrapped around the outside of the fort forming a good barrier. Barricades with sharp wooden spikes blocked off any path leading in or out of the hold and large pillars of grey and black smoke trailed and faded away in the sky from dozens of fires lite from within. Thogen and Hroskold just looked a good long while before speaking. "Something has given new life in Sarnur .. Thrains guard must be sent for more information is needed about what grows deep in those halls." Thogen said without emotion .. they both looked a bit longer then decided it be best to return to Thorins Hall, and quick at that.
