I have not talked much about my mother. In fact not about any female relative thus far. I prefer to keep their names a secret, like it is custom for our folk to do, but it is no secret that our family bloodline hasn't born any she-dwarves in almost an age. Those female dwarves that we reckoned to be part of the family all were dwarf lasses from other family's or even other Houses!
During the golden time of Khazad-Dûm, most of our exiled forefathers from Tumunzahar took on Longbeard wives. For the first time in the family's history, our blood came to be mixed with that of the sons and daughters of Durin. We prospered because of it. Working together with the Longbeards, our family acquired their wealth and standing, even before they returned to the Blue Mountains. Joining forces with the Longbeards in Moria meant a great deal for the kingdom as well. Firebeards and Broadbeams brought not only plenty of new work forces but also skilled craftsmen and warriors. It was the first example in Dwarven history of how great things could be achieved if the Houses reunited under the oldest of their race: Durin the Deathless.
Alas, when Durin's Bane awoke and brought fire and shadow upon our people, my forefathers quickly fled the ancient realm and returned to their kinsmen in the Ered Luin. I have told of how two of three brothers didn't make it. One is said to have faced the terror and died. The other went missing on the road home.
Since that time our ancestors have mingled once more with their own kin. The Longbeards joined us here after the Lonely Mountain was taken by Smaug and my own father took on a Longbeard wife too. This makes me both a Firebeard and a son of Durin. My distant cousin Fikli feels like I share too much with Durin's Folk. He says I favour their cause over that of our own clan. But is our cause not the same, I asked him. He declined to answer that question. I know my relative thinks I meddle too much with the affairs of the Longbeards, but as my blood is mixed, I cannot help but feel like I am obliged to serve both houses. I took it upon myself to aid in reuniting all the Seven Houses of the dwarves like our ancestors had done in ages passed. For like in Moria, it proved that, when reunited under one banner, our people flourished and accomplished great deeds. The orcs of the Misty Mountains still shudder at the memory of the War of the Dwarves and Orcs and righteously so!
I am a Firebeard and a Longbeard and I am proud to share both lineages. I sense that in the days to come, the situation will call for all dwarves to reunite under the banner of Durin's Folk once more. Another Durin will rise and with it will come glory for all our people, I know it to be true!
Búrfi, 16th of Octobre 3018
