After everyone left The Thirsty Boar Fiontann took the envelope given to him by Anriett, the one that that was in that Hobbit, Brogo's possession in the Shire and went home. Dindrik wasn't around to talk with him, he went to sleep as soon as they returned and to write some letters to his kin in Ered Luin. So Fiontann had time to read the letter and plan ahead as the day to set off for the Misty Mountains came closer and a date can finally be set. After making himself comfortable on the chair in front of the fireplace that he just lit Fion opened the envelope and read:
My boy Brogo, I haven't managed to find my friend to give me the emerald ore to make into a ring for you. News from are that his caravan was attacked and my kin is afraid that they all perished at the hands of robbers. If I have any news I will inform you at once. Do not despair my boy, even if you don't have that ring you have a warm heart that can make even the Mayor's Assistant's heart see that you love his daughter and you can make her happy. I hope I will see you soon, though it is unlikely.
My best wishes, Tordrek.
Upon reading it he let his hand drop and grunted in disappontment. All this for nothing he thought and put the parchment and envelope on the chair. He grabbed a tankard and filled it with some whiskey from one of the barrels in his house, he stood by the fireplace and pondered over the whole affair, the so wanted letter was just a message to the Hobbit concerning that ring he wanted and so of no use to the Dwarves. Fion walked to his desk and produced a map of the Misty Mountains from the stack of maps on it. He looked at it intently, thinking but to no avail as nothing seemed to help. It was a dead end. The moment he brought the tankard to his lips there was a knock on his door. A smile, that died as soon as he opened the door, formed on his lips and went to answer at once.
-Good day. You have the letter and I want to see it. said Dindrik.
-Come in.
Fiontann made his way towards the fireplace and motioned at the letter, Dindrik closed the door and followed him.
-You didn't read it when you got it?
-Nay, your company may be stupid but they are loyal and they wouldn't let me read it until you saw it first.
-Go ahead then. Said Fion with a sense of pride about his company, they managed to get the letter.
Dindrik read it and the letter found its way on the chair once more, this time thrown by the Dwarf.
-What's this?
-The letter.
The Dwarf grunted and made to kick the chair but Fion's cough prevented him from doing such a thing.
-Now what? asked the man.
-I don't know, this is the only thing that was in the envelope?
-Yes.
-Let me see it.
Fion motioned at the envelope on the chair indifferently and the Dwarf took it, turned it all ways to look at it, opened it many times and in the end he held it in front of the fire and unfolded it.
-Halfwits! And to think that it was my kin that delivered it!
-What?
-Look.
Dindrik held the envelope high and in front of the fire, only to reveal some scribbling on To Lord Dain of the Blue Mountains it and Fion frowned.
-Clever Dwarf!
-Stupid Dwarves! Dindrik cursed once more and then read aloud:
My lord. we have reached Vindurhal, our march was uneventful and we are now resting and preparing the explosives and our weapons. At dawn we will set off to seal the tunnel. Our fellows here warned us though, that their numbers are high, very high for our party.
We saw them yesterday far in the Northeastern side of the mountain, where it is said that giants dwelled. We saw a long line of fire along the hillside, it surrounded the mountain fully from side to side. I have never heard of goblins carrying torches before, this is unsettling.
Some hours before the dawn a patrol returned, out of the six that were there only on survived, badly wounded. He said that the goblins attacked Hrimbark! Hrimbark! It is threatened and we must move swiftly, we decided to move before the dawn.
I have to admit my lord, that, while the Misty Mountains have been close to home for us, this time it is unsettling to be here, it feels that the whole mountain is watching and that it's preventing everyone to get near. But we know it's the goblins, that new tunnel allows them to bring forth bigger numbers and attack and hide fast. Even if we succeed we won't make it back. I know it. If we fail and another expedition has to be sent, please my lord, send fifty of the Blue Mountains' best warriors at least. The winter is eerie and against us, I know not what to think of it.
We shall set off soon, may Mahal help this expedition succeed or a lot will be lost.
Tordrek.
P.S. If another expedition is sent the new tunnel is located close to the Giant Halls, high up on the hill. There area three huge stones that show the location and tehey are heavily guarded, a scout told us as much. It's hard to see and this description is even harder to follow but that's the best I can do. Keep Northeast.
-We need to leave quickly. declared Dindrik.
-Hey hey now, the letter is sent to your lord and he asks for numbers. We are barely fifteen.
-No, we have to go fast and the others must know.
Dindrik stormed off and Fion was left alone, looking at the letter. Once more the time of the travelling and fighting has come...
