The Addled Aftermath

Krimruk never suspected that the very fine Roper's Twist he was offered by the "merchants" was adulterated with a few other things. The strength to babble nonsense quickly leaves him, and he willingly walks out with his captors, only to pass out in the snow. As Arradril binds the captive, Branalph slips back into the fortress to retrieve the adulterated pipeweed, lest their deception be discovered, and finds the heirloom axe. 

Much now depends on the will of Harnack, friend of the slain Vigfús. Lósengriol -- especially Glorfingwë, who desired and planned a method that would involve no bloodshed -- will not allow him to slay a bound captive. Will he really take both miscreant and axe on the long journey to the slain Dwarf's family in Erebor? Or might he summon Vigfús's sister to receive the axe at Hrimbarg? The immediate problem is gone, and even solved bloodlessly, but a great dilemma remains.