(The converse between the two old dwarves had turned upon the subject of elves...)
Dwimmer glanced at his companion and said, "They're not as we've been taught to think of them. Not all, at least. Aye, some hate us well and truly...but we dwarves return that with interest."
Like a kettle put over a fire and forgotten, Hoggstari's expression boiled over with anger as he replied with firmness but respect to his friend, "With good reason my old friend! History proves they are not to be trusted. Even the outcast of our kin that first came to these hills, were they not hunted down like beasts? Sneaking in the dark of night, hunting and slaying! They were still our kin, aye?
Dwimmer's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening momentarily, then he spoke, "Aye, they were. Petty-dwarves without clan or settlement, but our kin nonetheless. It was wrongly done...but we were wrong to slay their king, dragon-sickness or no. Two wrongs do not make a right...and I think you'd find an elf or two that might agree."
Giving his old friend a steady sidelong glance, Hoggstari pursed his lips together for a moment that might have seemed like a week instead. "You speak from experience, as do I. Until my experience changes, my good friend, it is unlikely my opinion will, either."
Leaning back, his shoulders dropping, the corners of his lips rose into a broad smile, "Unlikely..what elf would ever want to meet, let alone have a talk with this old grey rawhide!" The armoursmith filled the room with raucous laughter!
Dwimmer grinned, then took a long draught from his mug. Wiping his moustache, he said, "I know of one or two that would gladly hear you out and what's more - take what you have to say to heart. The elf who gifted me that jewel for one." He chuckled, "She seems t' have a bit of sympathy for old bits of 'rawhide' like you and me."
Lifting his own mug in a salute to Dwimmer, Hoggstari ceased laughing and took on an expression as pensive as a monk in a spiritual crisis and said, "Now look what you have done you old piece of boot leather, you have raised that curious nature of mine."
"You know what that means?" He allowed a momentary smirk to sneak through his dead serious face, "Means I am likely going to be finding myself in an awkward predicament."
Dwimmer laughed, "Hah! Seems I've been in an awkward predicament for the last seventy years!" He cast a thoughtful look at his companion.
"I'm going t' go after the ones that killed her....I can't let this stand. I won't. Now I'll not leave right away, mind you, And I won't leave you without help for your trade, neither. But they'll not get away with it, even if I have to bring the mountains themselves down on their heads!"
Dwimmer gazed into the fire once more, his eyes kindling with a fire of their own. Beneath his feet the stone floor seemed to shift restlessly. After a long breath, he turned his head to his companion and spoke.
"I've had word from a friend. If you're willin', there'd be help for your Outfitters and a chance of some payback for those devils that think they can mar the world an' get away with it..." Dwimmer cast a mischievous glance at Hoggstari, "You'd have to hang on t' that curiosity of yours a bit longer, though."
Hoggstari nearly got out of his chair as he gave Dwimmer a sharp look, "Nay! You're leaving? You speak of armies in the South. What can one dwarf do against such numbers, even one such as you? Your grief has robbed your senses, friend. Think again!"
Dwimmer shook his head. "How can you understand? Having that child in my life was like having Erebor restored once again...and more. I cannot just sit by the fire while those that robbed me of her laugh and grow fat with their wrongdoing. I cannot..."
"Then I'll come with you...two old warriors are better than one. The business can wait. I will not let you go into a hornet's nest alone!" Hoggstari's expression hardened into one of grim determination.
Dwimmer's anger cooled and softened at the sight of such dwarven stubbornness. "But I am not alone...that's just it. I've help that's even better than an army of dwarves, for it moves quietly like the owl's flight and strikes with the strength of a bear...hornet's nest be damned!"
"Eh?" Hoggstari's looked quite taken aback. "What d'you mean?"
"If you'll meet with this 'friend' I spoke of, you'll understand. Just t'hear it from me would make it sound like a tall tale after a hogshead of ale..."
Hoggstari snorted, "I may well have to, then."
(It was not long after that both dwarves rose to their feet and made their unsteady way to their beds...)
