A fragile balance

Hilfar was buried in paper work in the DFTC office in Othrikar. While he was half-way working on a mining record, there was a knock on the door. "Enter" Hilfar uttered solemnly. The Othrikar guard captain walked in and bowed slightly "Master Hilfar, bad news I'm afraid". Hilfar laid down his quill, and looked at him with a worried expression. The guard continued "A group of strangers were spotted south of here, making their way to the elven library". Hilfar frowned "Brigands or Rangers?" The guard shook his head "Neither, there were men and women alike from Bree I think, even halflings among them..". Hilfar's frown disappeared and shrugged "Well none of our concern, I reckon". 

The guard continued now talking hushed "There is more, orcs from the east attacked the elf settlement last night, a great host, from Dol Dínen I think they were". Hilfar stood up "What!?" and started to stroke his beard nervously "continue..". The guard took a deep breath "The company of men fought them off I believe, but the orcs are stirring still". Hilfar looked displeased "This is no coincidence! Who are these men, what are they doing here?" The guard shrugged. Hilfar started to walk back and forth through the office "double the watch, if they stir the orc camps in the east, we may get our share of that storm. They should not have come, the fragile balance of this area is easily broken bringing our operation in danger. Is it safe to seek an audience with them?". The guard shook his head "Nay, too many roaming orcs out there..". Hilfar sighed " Fine, we don't have enough dwarrows to face them in the open, so we wait." The guard nodded firmly and left the office, while Hilfar kept walking back and forth in his office.