During the high days of Khazad-Dûm, in what some call the Mithril Era, Durin VI, the wealthiest of kings, ruled the greatest kingdom of Middle-Earth. Three days it took to march from the Redhorn gate to the east gate into Azanulbizar and its many halls and archways, tunnels and chambers were filled with life. Hewn crystals hung from every ceiling, glowing without end. Dwarves worked tirelessly on the most beautiful artifacts, the likes the world had not seen before. Roaring fires, malt beer and ripe meat of the bone - life in Khazad-Dûm was splendid.
Durin VI had his numerous crafters to thank for this. He held many in his service, one more skilled than the other, but even the least of them knew secrets we have long since forgotten. One of these smiths was named Norin. A dwarf like many you would have encountered in those days. Yet Norin desired greatly to earn the favour of young Durin VI Aran Moria. He worked day and night on a mithril crown for the new king, a crown so fair and so bright many said it surpassed the beauty of its predecessor made for Durin the Fifth. The new crown of Durin became a priceless artifact, so priceless in fact that the king did not wear it openly. In return, Durin VI granted Norin's request, offering his two sons a place among his royal guard. These warriors of old wore the fairest of armour, with blue silk velvet gamebeson and gem inlaid breastplates and golden rimmed helmets. They carried the best of weaponry and were considered the king's closest confidants. Wherever he went, they went. Thus it passed that Norin's sons Galin and Nalin, though only striplings at the time, joined Durin's Guard. Their future seemed all too certain.
