Dwarves!

Can meets the dwarves in the tavern

Can Wobbit slowly walks past the Tavern in Taibreamh, pondering if he should go in and have some of landlady´s  marvelous ale, before he would continue his way up to the lighthouse, when he hears voices from inside. Strange and harsh voices, but somehow familiar. He opens the door and steps inside ..... and what he sees makes him smile.

"Kadrim and Bradni" he shouts with a voice both surprised and happy to see them again. The two dwarfs, who are standing at the bar stop drinking and Kadrim turns around:" Lord Can of Taibreamh" he shouts gladly, "so we meet at last". "And of course we found you at the tavern" Bradni adds in his usual grumpy manner, but cannot hide a grin under his braided beard.

Can steps up to them, and shakes hands heartily: "So at least you have found the way to Taibreamh, Dwarflords, and I guess you are here to demand your reward for giving me Lady Amethyst’s brooch, and to ask to have my leave to dig for gems, as I have promised you when we met in the caves of Shadowlands" The dwarfs give Can a long and searching look: "We hope you still hold to your word, else we might have need to take what is ours either secretly or by the use of our axes," Bradni replies in a sharp voice. "Do not worry", my Dwarf-friend, Can answers, "it shall be as I promised, and I also will show you a place where you can surely find what your hearts desire. But first let´s have a mug of this extraordinary ale, they serve here."

And so these three sit down on a table, and have a chat about what happened lately, and enjoy the ale. News about the still having no word about the fate of the Aran and his lady, and the burning and exploding of Shadowlands, about many of the elves leaving to the west and the hiding of Riverlands in the eternal mist by Elbereth and the Valar.

But it does not take long , and the dwarfs start getting restless ... eager to see the place Can promised to show them. So they empty their mugs, say farewell to the landlady and leave the tavern, heading north towards the lighthouse and then turn right up the mountain, climbing the ancient stairs till at last they come to the cave, delved by elves in ages past.

Approaching the cave

They halted for a moment, looking at the carved doors and then Can touches them and they open nearly all by themselves. "These gates are never locked, so everyone can enter at any time," Can explains, while they enter the cave. The dwarfs look around contentedly, but suddenly they stop abrupt and gaze at the far end of the cave:  there is someone else inside, and they give Can a disapproving look.  "An elf !" Bradni and Kadrim hiss with one voice. "Do not worry, my dear dwarf friends", Can says in a soothing voice," it´s Fitheach, my old companion and friend".

Fit has of course noticed these three long before they had, and walks slowly towards them. "Greetings to you, dwarf lords", she says in a soft voice, "and to you, mo Gra" she adds with a smile on her face. "Do not wonder that I know your names, but Can told me of your meeting in Shadowlands, and your kindly giving Ame´s brooch to him. You are Kadrim and Bradni and you are most welcome to Taibreamh. We all do appreciate this very much, and we have awaited your coming." and with these words, she bowed slightly before the dwarfs. "I am Fitheach,  Archdruid of these lands, and I too give you leave to search the lands for gems and whatever you find worthy of being your reward. May your pickaxes bring forth what your hearts desire."

Fit and Can talk with Bradni and Kadrim

The dwarfs look at the elflady in wonder, and finally Kadrim bows before her in return and answers:" This has not happened in ages, that an elf welcomed us dwarfs with words so kind and no prejudice. This must be a really extraordinary and special land, and even more a very special Lady. We are glad to have met you, Fitheach."

The small company goes on exploring the cave …..  Can laces his fingers into Fit’s, giving her a happy smile. "I´m really glad, you like them ", he says "and that this first meeting goes so well. I was afraid, they would be stubborn as a dwarf," he adds with a grin. After a while they reach a place that is called the crystal gate. There in ages past, someone already started mining, but no one knows if there are treasures to be found there any longer. Kadrim and Bradi look at the gate with eyes sparkling and breathing faster, talking excitedly in their own tongue. Searchingly they knock on the stone and scratch it here and there, and their faces expressions get more and more satisfied. Then Kadrim turns towards Fit and Can: "This is the place we would like to start, if you give us leave to do so, for it seems to be a very good place for mining."

A place to begin

"So shall it be", Can answers, and Fit nods in agreement. "And for the beginning, you may have the dwarfenholm down by the riverside, to use as a home and have a place to sleep and eat," Fitheach adds. "We gladly accept your offer, Fitheach", Kadrim answers," and we might have a visit at the tavern too from time to time. I would be glad, if by chance we would meet again and report about our fortune. " "And so would we," Fit answers, " and may your paths always be safe all day and night, whether under the mountain or under the sun. "Can smiles and adds: "And I join in these wishes, my friends, and may your pickaxes never become dull"

The Dwarfs bow slightly to the elf and the human, and at once start examining the crystal gate, while Fit and Can walk out of the cave into the late evening and enjoy the mild air and the rising of the first stars. "I have a good feeling about these two, mo Gra", Can says to Fit quietly, and clasps her hand again. Fit looks back at Can: "Me too, mo Run, me too"