It was a cool winter evening at the gates of Thorin's Hall. The sun had started to fade and at that the fallen stars of the sky took their place, watching over all those who walked the good green, or white Earth. The sounded of huffing breath and clattering steel echoed down the long stairway to Frerin's Court, "March! Keep the line tight and straight" Master Thorlaen ordered, a stern drill master and to code was his commands. "Don't break the line! Never break the line!" he shouted once more, Hroskold and Dhordur kept quiet and did as instructed for they did not wish to do several dozen push ups! Durin's Folk had always been known for strict drilling, it was a performance that had never been forgotten in the Blue Mountains, this is why the army boasted in their discipline. "And .... Halt!" Thorlaen commanded, he was pleased with the way the Dwarves had moved and felt that was all the warm up needed. Hroskold found himself sweating a little more then what he use to, he had been away for some time and in the some time he seemed to have lost his battle energy though it would come back with a few more stern drilling. The sound of more jingling steel came from below the great stairway of Thorin's Gate, the warrior who wore such metal was surly in a great hurry, soon after a horn blew and already the warriors of Durin's Folk knew what it meant, something was going wrong.
Thogen darted up the stairs at a blazing speed, his lips every so often met his mustering horn blowing off a few loud bellows into the cool night air, steam rose from his lips like a bull before its charge. His set of steel was one among legend to his people, it had been through drakes fire, troll hammer, warg teeth and orc blades and was really no light piece but the Warlord he was he was use to weight and carried it along with pride. A few steps left until he reached the top, Thogen heard the sound of familiar voices, " Good Thorlaens here" he said to himself, " And if he is there others will be under his command and already ready ..". Thogen took his leap to the top of the stairway and waved his hand before blowing another loud toot of his horn, "Warriors of Durin's Folk! There is little time! With me! With me!" Thogen shouted, he was in a rush and already the ranks of loyal dwarrow marched to him and followed in great speed! Thogens voice was a little rattled but still loud and commanding as ever "The tunnels that we dug into Sarnur, they had been found! Goblins came at us like a plague of death! We did our best to hold them off but we barely made it out with our beards still attached! The Tharukal Engineers nearly didn't bring the tunnel down in time! Mahal watch over those that fell with it .."
Hroskold listened with wide eyes, the moonlight glittering of the whites of them. He waited a moment before speaking "So what Azaghalbad, the tunnels are down .. why are we in hurry?" he said, in theory his words were true, the threat had been closed off and the Siege camp was again safe and ready to hold the evil again within Sarnur. Thogen grumbled, leading had brought the company to the stables, his orders were to mount up and ride with haste to Noglond, he did not have to say anymore about what threat was coming, the company could see for themselves .. and see it is what they did.
Goats carried the company of dwarves across the roads of the Vale of Thrain, the hooves clicked off the cobbled road and even leaped off larger stones that goat in their way, nimble creatures but a source of transportation was all they were. Men of Rohan go as far as naming their mighty steeds, Dwarves only use them for work, along with other animals. There is no bond between them, just a use. The four of them arrived at Noglond, Dhordur was already in awe. The Mountain pass above Sarnur glowed like a blazing forest fire, a faint roar came from the cliffs like a hundred trolls singing. One by one the dwarves dismounted and tied the goats away withing the base camp of Noglond. Noglond had been the base of command for War Master Thogens Siege, it lay close enough to Sarnur were troops could lay a constant watch over the mountian hall and far enough away were crude catapults and bow fire could not hit them. Deep trenches had been dug around the camp with oak boards from the beards to run across if battle came, pitfalls had been covered with branches, dirt and snow. If one was to step on the trap they would meet a spiky death below. It was a good camp but now with the spoiled plan to attack Sarnur it had been under threat of a counter attack, an attack that would come to fast for the entire army to gather up and retreat. There was only one option, hold the Bridge of Noglond long enough so that the army could gather and head for Thorins Hall.
"Listen up, and listen good my brothers" Thogen called out, a line of warriors started to muster in front of him. The mustering horn had done its job, Asudrom, Hilfar, Azadrud and Daingorf had come knowing what had to be done. Thogen hard started to walk up and down the line, often he would point at the bright cliff side and speak of the enemy. "They do not gather at the mountain pass to speak peace, Goblins never speak peace. They do not come to say they surrender, they come for one thing and one thing alone .. Death to the Dwarves!" Thogen spoke true, his voice filling the entire camp, some sleeping dwarves even woke and gathered around to listen. "We maybe number ten times less then what stands up there, but are proud and noble folk, we are warriors! Longbeards, Firebeards, Broadbeams, Ironfist, Stiffbeards, Blacklocks and Stonefoots! Clans that once did not agree with things together but we can all agree now .. Goblins will die tonight! Let us march to that bridge, let us take place under the fallen stars and hold. We will great all that cross into a wall of death! Sigin Tarag!" Thogen spoke with pride raising his war axe into the air. The company roared with a cry of their own, one that could be said to match the enemies.
The dwarves hurried, there was much to do before the enemy could reach the bridge. Hroskold ran down the steep sides of the river under the bridge to check the state of the structure. Dhordur ran up and down the river to see how high the water was and if there was a crossing while Thorlaen checked the road to Gondamon, if they were to hold the bridge they could be flanked and that would mean certain death. "The road to Gondamon is empty, not a wagon or traveler .. let alone goblins Azaghalbad Thogen." Thorlaen reported, he had always known his stuff and been one of the most loyal to the army. Thogen nodded his head, at least there would be no flank from Gondamon. Dhordur took his turn to speak "The river is high with no crossing! Mahal known we would need him tonight!" he spoke with a cheer, the river high meant none would cross, if they tried they would be taken away or sink to the bottom in a cold death. Hroskold, huffed a little climbing up from under the bridge, sweat all ready dripping from under his helm. "Bridge is in good state, why do you as War Master?" Hroskold asked, he was a mighty warrior and like the rest trusted their leader .. but why check the bridge? Thogen spoke up before giving some more orders, "If we cannot hold this bridge then we will blow it to pieces with black powder! We cannot allow the Goblins to cross, Now go Thorlaen and Hroskold, fetch the kegs from the camp and line the bottom supports of the bridge with them! Quickly! The enemy moves slow to us!".
Asudrom and and Dhordur had ran across the bridge to try and tear down some of the pillars to make a a wall for the enemy to climb over. A shield wall is hard enough to keep intact but if the enemy was forced to climb over a wall of stone it may give the Dwarves a better chance of serving death. To no luck did they find their pickaxes, they chipped and chipped away at the stone but they could not bring down enough in time. With a bright idea Asudrom told Dhordur to get "Beard Oil" from his pack. Asudrom was always made sure his beard was well scented and shinned bright. "Found it master Asudrom!" Dhordur cheered. "Then get to work, spread it along the passing, if we cannot make them climb a wall we will make them slip and slide!" Asudrom spoke with wisdom, he had been in Thogens company for a good long time and often knew what the Warlord had planned. While those two were busy with the bridge Kveltrild had arrived, she was speaking with warriors like Hilfar, Azadrud and Daingorf. "Fight well tonight my brothers, Mahal will guild your strikes, his great hammer will shield you from harm-" she cut off, Hroskold was rolling two barrels of black powder and Thorlaen had one over each shoulder, quickly they marched down the hill and started to place the explosive.
Time was moving so fast it seemed, every second the roar of the enemy grew louder, the bright flames of touches brought an evil glow and clattering steel rung throughout the Vale. The Dwarves had finished their task and started to check on another's armour, tugging on leather bindings, tucking away braids and locks of hair, sealing packs shut and sharing a comment or two to boast morale. "You know .. I was only here to speak to Uzbaduh Duinn about business" Hilfar said. He wore a strong set of steel, he was a merchant by trade but when it came to dirty business he could cleave a head or two. "And now you speak business with me, over a dead goblin or ten!" Thogen said while slapping the strong shoulder guard of Hilfar, Thogen had always liked the trusted merchant. Daingorf kept looking at the reflection of the moon on his blade, he was young and new to the Blue Mountains, he had sworn oath to Thogen and planned to serve it well. "Aim for under the arms, neck and behind the legs. They often wear nothing there. You are young and full of life, that will not change tonight .. you have my word." Thogen said to the young one, with a smile Daingorf nodded his head. It was then a horn blew, a noise that would make folk run to their homes and lock their doors tight.
They had come, and they wanted death.
