Dwarves

*Written in Tengwar lettering, the text appears to be very old*

((The text here should be considered translated into modern Westron from an older form of Sindarin, dating back to the time of Beleriand))

The Sting of Mortality

'Twere with great glee I met the Naugrim,

Such casual yet curious creatures they were,

With hair from chin and jaw and under horn,

So small yet splayed in stature,

They worked without weariness, without wear,

Great walls and pillars, bejewelled or more,

Dearest Kálvur,

While it is true that I am still in our father’s Hall, your confidence in my safety is misplaced, I fear. You know that the King of Palisor has, for many years, required ‘representatives’ from each High Family that sits on his Council to live at the capital. It is no secret that they are held as hostages for their families’ good behavior. You will remember how many were executed after the last uprising among the Saka was put down. Body parts and skulls were sent for display as far away as Rhun.

Rakul, my dear sister,

You gave me stern instructions when I left to keep a journal of my travels for you. You even gave me a leather-bound book in which to write. But I have always been a better fighter than scholar, as you well know. I will write down what I have done and what I have seen as best I can for you, but this will not be any sort of proper scholarly journal with all events neatly ordered, dryly described, and thoroughly annotated.

It has been quite some time since I last wrote here. Quite against my original intentions, I simply abandoned my journal – something I now regret – during my pursuing of the completion of my book on the Dwarf-folk. A guide for other Hobbits on identifying and communicating with the strange Eastern traders and travellers.

Rumors are terrible things. They create hope. Hope can be powerful, hope can be good. But too much of it can be a dangerous thing.

I'm hearing whispers around this town, whispers that I'm not alone. Whispers that my kinsmen are still searching for me, whispers that my clan has not been forgotten. 

We still have a chance, a chance to push back the growing darkness, but the company needs to be restored; needs to be returned to its former glory.