Day 111 of exile
I´m finally outta there!! It's such a relief to see the sun and stars again. To take a breather and feel refreshed rather that inhaling that damp stale Moria air. Some dwarf I turned out to be, who can´t stand being under a mountain for a few days. But at the same time I'm in awe at what I saw in there. For a millennia it's been in disrepair and still magnificent statues and intricately carved columns overwhelm the beholder. The huge mine and the empty city is beyond my humble words to describe. Hats off to the Longbeards of Old for accomplishing such a majestic feat.
Sadly it is also a tomb, not just for those countless who fell as it was abandoned, but also for Balin, son of Fundin. Being one of Thorin's chosen, the death of him and his company struck a severe blow. For a moment I thought Moria would become my tomb as well. Only with great difficulty did I make it through to the eastern gate. Yet it is clear the wretched orcs were passive, bewildered even, as if leaderless or gathering force for an offensive. Of the Nameless Terror I saw nothing. Thank Mahal for that!
Day 113 of exile
I have set up my camp on the banks of Mirrormere. My equipment needed some tending to and my supplies were dwindling. Luckily there's tasty carps roaming the lake. Refr's armour is holding up nicely but his mace and shield were spent. I now sport a genuine Moria forged steel shield and hammer. They were old, tarnished and rusted when I found them. Spit, elbow grease and some lamp oil have brought the lustre back.
((image from https://www.deviantart.com/quellart/art/Moria-battle-shield-almost-ready-508919659))
Still ancient of course, yet of the best dwarven craftmanship I can possibly find. If I ever have beardlings of my own, I will make these Moria keepsakes heirlooms of my line. If only I could have found a decent pair of boots too. I got a gaping hole in the left one and the other one is falling apart in the seems. I don't suppose I'll meet a cobbler any time soon...
