Hammarhand - The darkest hour

A wise man builds his house upon a rock. A wise dwarf carves his house into the rock. Durin's folk have always endured, stood against the darkness. Until now.

Our pride almost led to one of the darkest days in this Age. Standing beside our brother Thorin Oakenshield, we marched from the Iron Hills to the Lonely Mountain, ready to defend what was ours - as we always have.

That day changed my view on what is ours. That day changed who "we" were forever. There are enough songs about the Battle of the Five Armies, and I will not add my tale of that day this time.

We are the Free People of Middle-Earth. Ours are these lands, our lives and our freedom! After the great battle, I spent months together with Elves and Men, giving chase to our foes. I was saved one time by the arrow of Fendalas of Mirkwood, and another time by the valiant charge of Dale-Men. I repaid these favors in kind time and again. It was a great time to be alive - a new dawn for Middle-Earth.

That was then.

I have not seen them myself, but I have heard of dark emissaries approaching the Lonely Mountain with thinly veiled threats and promises of riches beyond belief. We know of large armies gathering in the East. Again Durin's folk needs to endure, as we have throughout the ages.

Dain II Ironfoot is wise, however. We cannot stand alone. I heard grumblings about why so many Five Army veterans are leaving the Iron Hills at this perilous time, but it is good. Those of us who were there have seen the valiance of Man and Elf. If we are to have any hope against this new darkness, it must rise from a new alliance. I set out with high hopes.

But my hope has now taken a blow I could not see coming. I stand over the body of a Dourhand - a dwarf, killed by me. In the Blue Mountains, some of our own kin, part of the very bedrock, had crumbled into darkness.

We have stood against dragons, orcs and goblins -and even Elves and Men. But we cannot stand against ourselves. Is this our darkest hour?

My task is still ahead of me. I have seen how deep the division runs. I can only we can bridge the gaps between, and within, our peoples.