Chapter Eleven: Revelations! (12 entries)
11.1
The elf Elreinion stood up as the rest of the dwarves slowly walked out the Hall of Law, as in a hurry, many of them gathering into the square just outside the main gates of Thorin's Hall. He was tired and looked up, seeing stars. It was night already.
In a soft voice he sang while looking up: "A Elbereth Gilthoniel, o menel palan-diriel, le nallon sí ((O Elbereth Starkindler, from heaven gazing afar, to thee I cry now)) Shaking his head he couldn't understand why his master had sent him to this dreadful folk, always bickering, always arguing, on and on and on.... .
(By Kandral)
11.2
Hilfar looked with interest at Thalamath as he made his plea. To his suprise his choice of words were actually quite modest, knowing he can be very provocative. Hilfar brightened up as his request was granted, Goldthumbs quarters shall be turned upside down! Hilfar jumped up from his chair and smacked Thalamath on his shoulder as he passed "Well done, Thalamath, well done!". Hilfar turned to Thinpen with a smirk on his face.
(By Hilfar)
11.3
Duinn bowed to the judges as everyone was leaving, "By deepest apologies! I will stay my tongue!" The judges nodded slightly as Duinn turned towards the door. Upon seeing Hilfar and Thalamath, Duinn remarked, "We three have much to discuss concerning Othrikar!". Duinn looked concerned as the two dwarves nodded, thinking that tomorrow would be a long day.
(By Duinn)
11.4
Thalamath exited the courtroom, heading straight for his home. He opened the door, took up a plate from a pile and smashed it against the wall. And another. And another....several plates later, Thalamath sighed. That was better.
(By Thalamath)
11.5
Skaril sighed with relief as he left the court room. For a moment it seemed like Goldtumb would perhaps go free after all. A search of his property in Othrikar was bound to yield the hard evidence the Judges were looking for.
“Finally!” said Skaril to himself. “Finally that fly ridden boar's arse will reap what he has sowed!"
As he strolled on the path towards the homesteads, he started to whistle on a merry tune.
(By Augir)
11.6
Steingi was not too surprised that Brina had done that and let the investigation go on. He knew that she was a smart and fare Dwarrow. He looked over at Goldthumb and wondered how he was reacting to this. Then the first day was over and both Steingi and Orhn went out of the court. It was night and the stars was shining bright on the sky.
''I better get this sent then, so Dhordur gets the first information he seeks. I am not sure how it could help him, but I hope it does.'' Orhn said to his gradfather. Steingi nodded to Orhn and they both headed off in their own directions.
(By Dhordur)
11.7
Tholdurin sat in his cell, kicking around a small pebble, unable to sleep. The only other Dwarrow that was nearby was the night guard Fromi, who had fallen asleep at his desk and had began to snore loudly... some guard. The only light to be seen was the faint light of the candle on Fromi's desk.
The rest of the cells were filled with goblins that were held for questioning in relation to the Siege or other matters. They not only stank up the place, but created a terrible noise. Even if Tholdurin had wanted to, he wouldn't have been able to sleep. Fromi was used to the shouts and screams of the goblins and just slept right through it.
To Tholdurin's surprise all of the sudden the doors to the guard house opened ever so slowly. A hooded figure entered taking gentle steps.
"Fromi, wake up! Behind you!", Tholdurin shouted. "By Mahal, this is the old devil's plan", thought Tholdurin, "they've come to kill me." Tholdurin shouted at the top of his longs, Fromi jumping up somewhat confused. "Hu, who, what?", he spoke dazed while looking around to see what was going on. Then Fromi noticed the hooded figure, what seemed a massive dwarf, step toward him with something in his hand. A dagger no doubt. "Punch him in the snotlocker!", shouted Tholdurin in a panic, trying to bend the bars of his cell with little luck. Fromi fell of his chair, still startled at what was going on.
"What in Durin's name is going on here?", spoke the hooded figure in a startled voice, as he took of his hood, "for the love of Mahal stop shouting, you'll send those dreaded goblins in a screech choir for the rest of the night". The dwarf stepped into the candle light of Fromi's desk. A sign of the sabâj could be seen on his attire. "I'm just here to bring you papers from the court Fromi, alas I couldn't get here sooner", the sabâj continued handing Fromi an envelope, "This dwarf Tholdurin needs to appear before the court at the second morning hour, so you better make sure he calms down and gets some sleep, if he is going to be to some use", spoke the sabâj as he eyed Tholdurin showing little confidence.
"But.... but", Tholdurin pointed at the door, then back to the sabâj, "I thought you were one of Goldthumbs Dwarves, out to kill me". "Don't be ridiculous", said the sabâj, "we've got two guards and two sabâj at the door, no one but a sabâj can enter here. Now get some rest".
Fromi still looked alarmed by the whole event and gave Tholdurin a good scolding in khuzdul for almost giving him a heart-attack. Tholdurin shrugged and went to his field bed, trying without luck to get some sleep.
(By Kandral)
11.8
Day-break rolled over the Blue Mountains earlier than most dwarves would have like that morning. As the second hour of daylight approached a large throng of dwarves could be seen marching up the steps of Thorin's Hall. The last time such a crowd was seen was at the arrival of Dwalin to Thorin's Hall many decades ago.
There was barely enough room in the Hall of Law for everyone, but none would mind as all didn't want to miss it, this was going to be THE court session of the century by all accounts, more gripping than the famed writings of that hobbit Ronald Dwale. None would mind the crowd, except for the sabâj that had to check everyone for weapons. Soon there was no doubt the court would not be able to start at the second daylight hour, much to the annoyance of judge Hammerfall.
When the judges arrived to the Hall of Law there was a queue to enter of two dozen dwarves. "This won't do", said judge Hammerfall clearly annoyed at the situation, "let me through! let me through I say!", her face turning red in anger. "Let the main parties in and close the doors! This is no market place!", waving her hand dismissively at the crowd as she passed the sabâj entering the Hall.
It took a while before all were seated, yet to everyone's surprise the sabâj had managed to start the session right on time.
"Hand me the report of the investigation", Hammerfall looked up at the sabâj who handed her a thick report. It felt like everyone held their breath, the room drenched in tension. Slowly and page by page Hammerfall passed through the report as she shared whispers and pages with the fellow judges. Their faces did not reveal anything, much to the annoyance of many in the room. Time passed on until suddenly judge Hammerfall spoke:
"We have investigated your property master Goldthumb, before I share the results of this report with the chamber, I ask you if you wish to make a statement?". Goldthumb looked at Thinpen questioning, they whispered, then Goldthumb shook his head. "You are sure of that master Goldthumb?", she gave the old dwarf a second to think hard about this answer yet all she got from Thinpen was: "I have nothing to add honorable judge, apart from our objection that my master should have been informed and should have been present".
"In that case, I will read the findings...",spoke Hammerfall determined.
"In the GMC bank office at Othrikar, the sabâj mention to have found documents that indicate fraud against the King of the Longbeards, deception of the employees through to paying below agreed contracts and embezzlement. Forged documents signed by both master Thinpen and Goldthumb", a gasp ran through the Hall, in addition to some cheers. None doubted it now, Goldthumbs days were numbered. Hammerfall raised her hand and as hammers fell ordered returned quickly, as all wished to hear what else the sabâj found.
"In the Mines of GMC no irregularities were found.", Hammerfall continued while flicking through the pages.
"And lastly.... in the offices of the GMC a notebook was found that contains the records of one by the name of Stormhand. The investigation of the sabâj has concluded that the handwriting of this dwarrow is in fact the same of he that calls himself Goldthumb!". The entire chamber stood rooted, then suddenly a roar of shouts made the Halls tremble. "Murderer! Sentence Him!" "Off with his beard!" The judges attempted to silence the mob but it was of no avail. At that moment Thinpen made a run for the doors, yet the sabâj were to quick for him and had him by the collar.
Goldthumb, or Stormhand as he was really named had lost it all that very moment, no argument could make him sway the judges now, he stood there a broken dwarf.
"The statement of master Tholdurin will no longer be required. I believe the judges have heard enough. The judges will now discuss all the charges and come with a verdict. We ask the sabâj to clear the Hall for now, and bring the dwarrows Thinpen and Stormhand to a secured holding cell. We shall re-enter this chamber in two hours, at which time a verdict will be made public".
(By Fryjpora)
11.9
Thalamath listened with bated breath. As Judge Hammerfell read out the findings, a grin spread across his face. Goldthumb had no way out of this one!
No mention of the dourhands, but he'd known it was a longshot. He turned to Hilfar and Duinn, shaking their hands vigorously.
(By Thalamath)
11.10
Hilfar held his breath "...Stormhand", it ringed in his ears. It took a while for him realise what this all meant. Hilfar jumped up and simply cheered. All the worry and stress that had been a burden for months dropped on the ground like a boulder. He shook hands, or gave away free bearded hugs to anyone he came across. It was finally over.
(By Hilfar)
11.11
Steingi and Orhn had struggled to get a seat at first, but they managed to get a seat each. They both waited while Brina read through the report she had before her. Eventually when she told what was in it, they both was a bit shocked. A fraud and a Dourhand ally.
''By Durin's beard...'' Steingi said. He looked to his grandson that was shouting about shaving his beard and other harsh things. The judges were quick and silenced the crowd that was shouting and roaring around them, some even cheering. Steingi sat there, wondering what would happen now.
Orhn sat down after the judges had managed to silence the crowd. He almost forgot to write it all down. He looked around the crowd, wondering as well what the sentence would be. Then he remembered and quickly wrote the last things down for a second letter to his fathers cousin.
(By Dhordur)
11.12
Duinn did not make sudden movements or any sound as the report was read. A small sigh of contempt, Duinn looked back on the overly cheerful Hilfar raising his hand slightly gesturing him to calm down.
Duinn still wondered, "Who was this Stormhand?" the thought had crossed his mind, though he never openly implicated Dourhand involvement. "But why would Dourhand's dare this? Dourhand or not, this is the most daring plot yet!".
Duinn eyed Thalamath and Skaril, and many others who's smiles now lit the courtroom, as to welcome the truth that had been told.
(By Duinn)
Skegrym read the thick document himself, once Brina was satisfied that all the salient facts were before her. "By Mahal, he didn't!" the old judge muttered at one point, then shook his head.
Looking up at Brina, he said grimly, "We have little option now. The law is clear on every point."
She nodded, and in her fine features, only slightly smudged by time, Skegrym saw the girl she had always been: an eagle who pursued her prey - the truth - to the death. Her will would be tested here, but he had no doubt that justice would be done, no matter the cost.
(By Glorieskh)
