Chapter Five: The Mysterious Book (8 entries)
5.1
Judge Hammerfall noticed the raised hand by master Duinn, made a soft sigh and said: "Lord Drakenbane, though I understand you might not be very pleased at the remarks and statements made by master Thinpen... nor would I be in your place.... the fact of the matter remains that both of you have had your time to share your views, arguments and claims. If I or any of the other judges here would allow for counter argument after counter argument we would still be here at Durin's Day. I believe we've heard what we need to hear from the both main parties for now, wouldn't you agree fellow chamber?", at which time Brina looked at the other judges to her left and right, who agreed, yet quickly spoke in a whisper in Brina's ear.
After a moment she turned to Lord Drakenbane and said: "very well, it seems my fellow judges believe it would merit it to offer you a chance for a quick response. And with quick, I mean all you can utter without taking a third breath... I hope that is clear master Drakenbane. And once you've made your brief statement I will allow master Thinpen the same curtsy, after which I wish to hear no further counter-arguments, however short.", she looked at both with her usual icy gaze making clear she was not kidding.
"And then, when the both of you have finished.... I wish to hear the full account of master Tholdurin", she looked at the miner who turned white at the mere mention of his name by the judge. "As it seems this young dwarf has set in motion some of these events", she continued, "so a full account of his views will be required, and perhaps also his master Hilfar, after which we'll see to examine this book in more detail" She turned to judge Skegrym and asked: "unless you wish to examine this book first?"
(By Fryjpora)
5.2
An argument can be heard outside the courtroom, before the doors are flung open. Scowling at the guards as he enters, Thalamath makes for a seat near Hilfar. He shoots Goldthumb a filthy look before settling into his seat. Seemingly oblivious to the rude nature of his interruption, he asks Hilfar in a loud whisper to fill him in on what had already transpired.
(By Thalamath)
5.3
Duinn bows before the judges, thinking hard on how he is to keep it short in accordance with Lady Hammerfall’s wishes, yet say what is required. He looks puzzled and distant but at length turns to the judges nodding, he knows what to say.
“ I said, the book was discovered moons ago. The maiden Fryjpora did come by this discovery by Elreinion and he by Gildor, who in turn from Daeron. Daeron was the one who came to discover it in his studies!” Duinn exclaimed in one breath, two to go. Standing aside he inhaled and began once more;
“A contradiction is evident now! I quote the letter from Goldthumb; “”Even if by authority of the King of the Longbeards himself, by no means do you have rights to access privately held property in my name without legal cause, nor my consent. “” And in another letter: “”I refuse to grant them such access to any of my private holdings “” Here he makes no claim to this makeshift letter, which he now claims peerage of Othrikar! Contrawise, to Ebenizer’s newfound claims, no records holds such grants, for if it did, why would we make applications for mining in Othrikar in Thorin’s Halls under Dwalin’s custody and that of the King? They should have been made to the owner of Othrikar, which now, by chance, appears to be Goldthumb.”
Duinn’s voice was stretched to the limit of his breath. There is a pause as Duinn breathes heavily for all to hear, and waits for the information to sink in.
“The contradictions continue for Ebenizer’s claims to what he says now and has written afore;””Holdings were given to my grandfather Ebenin in T.A 2590, by King Náin II himself, for proven services to the King and the Royal House in the War of Dwarves and Dragons.”” The claims and stories by Goldthumb and Thinpin do not coincide in any manner. As his grants and warrants shift through centuries in a matter of months! First ownership under Náin, and again under either Thrór or Thráin!”
Duinn stops abruptly, breathing heavily whilst bowing to the judges and returning to his seat. Many dwarves nodded as he sat down, and Duinn gazed Thinpen in annoyance. Duinn looks behind him examining the witnesses nodding to them.
(By Duinn)
5.4
Skegrym nodded graciously to Brina Hammerfall before rising. His midnight blue velvet robes fell heavily around him as he cleared his throat and picked up the parchment that held his session notes.
But, before he could begin, the door burst open and a middle-aged Dwarf stomped into the courtroom. Skegrym shook his head slightly at this interruption, waited for the new arrival to settle down near Hilfar, and continued in his deep, resonant voice.
"This book...aye...a bit of a mystery, at the very least. Uzbad Duinn says it is 200 winters old, which would make it penned in 2819 TA or thereabouts. Who would have known of such a record back then?"
His shrewd glance fell on Duinn. "Muninn Berylbeard would have been 108 then, and Guthfrothi 100. They might have some memory of what transpired off in Othrikar." He squinted briefly at his notes. "But the rest - well, they were but children or young Dwarves in 2819. Duinn himself was but 18. I don't really think they'd have paid much mind to dry old tomes."
"And then we come to the book itself! Why - and I ask you to look into your Dwarrow hearts for the answer - WHY would those old Dwarves from Othrikar have travelled down to Lin Giliath with their precious records and left them with Elves? The dwarves of old never would have asked an Elf for help. It beggars belief."
Brina Hammerfall made some slight adjustment to her papers and the adamants in her snowy beard showered music on the air. Skegrym got the point. He'd best wrap this up quickly.
Gesturing impatiently to the elf, he barked, "Now, the book, if you please. Let's see how old it really is. For there will be certain indications in the runes that should tell me when and by whom - Elf or Dwarf - they were made."
(By Glorieskh)
5.5
On route to the trial Durinur found himself uncomfortably riding a pony through the fields while the sun baked on his back. But he was under orders, for his companion was Muninn. The old dwarf in finest garments and a large axe at his side strode proudly on his pony showing little concern to the sun.
This trial had become the talk of every dwarrow-hold west of the Misty Mountains, Muninn wondered if Dwalin soon was to get involved. Nevertheless, he thought he would help in what way he could and hoped to reach the trial ere the witnesses ended.
A few more hours, Durinur thought, then they would be there, he then realized it was a few more hours in the sun. A sigh could be heard as the two passed another hill, perhaps not the last.
(By Duinn)
5.6
The Elf named Elreinion, who had come to the court at the request of his master Gildor Inglorion, sat at the back of the chamber, neatly in the shadows, his head covered by his hood, unseen by most. He listened and was struck by wonder. How these dwarves could continue to chatter like this on such trivial matters was beyond him. He longed to return to his lands and the trees of the North Downs and started to tire terribly of the dwarven discussions.
When would they at last ask him to step forward and give his account, he thought, if these dwarves would at all, knowing their dislike of his kind.
After all, Elreinion was the only one that had actually witnessed the night the caravan of the Goldthumb family was raided. He sighed silently as the dwarven arguments went on and on... and on.
(By Kandral)
5.7
Steingi, an older Dwarf, around 223 years, the uncle of Dhordur silently entered the court a little bit after Thalamath entered. He entered together with his grandson Orhn. They had heard of this matter and Steingi himself was the one that was more interested in it. They sat down as they looked around the court and Steingi grumbled a bit as his eyes came over Goldthumb.
Orhn had promised his fathers cousin, Dhordur, to send letters about this court and tell him what happened.
(By Dhordur)
5.8
Goldthumb shook his head slowly as Duinn was talking. Once Duinn had finished Thinpen jumped up in his usual fashion, took a deep breath and said: “I will be as short as I can.... Master Goldthumb is not master of Othrikar, he is master of the mines and property he owns in Othrikar, no more no less, there is an enormous difference, one master Duinn seems to be having tremendous difficulty with grasping. “. Thinpen confidently took another deep breath and continued.
“As for the claims of the holdings of my master, the claim his family received these at the end of The War of Dwarves and Dragons is indeed correct; nor have we ever contested this, we completely agree... his family DID obtain these lands in T.A 2590, why else would I have said “centuries” earlier.
Thinpen realized he had earlier spoken about the War of Dwarves and Orcs, a mistake Ebenizer had kicked him for under the table when Thinpen had sat back down. History was never Thinpen’s strong-point, and it didn’t even surprise Goldthumb that his servant had jumbled up these events. Yet Thinpen was determined not to acknowledge his error and took another large breath before proceeding.
“As for this BOOK”, Thinpen rolled his eyes, “ in all honesty what difference does it make who found this elf book, it is obviously a fraudulent document that yet needs to be investigated thoroughly by experts... something we are all eagerly looking forward to... allowing us to at long last dismiss these ridiculous claims.”
Thinpen sat back down.
(By Midarin)
