I have made a huge decision. I have resigned from my Order to take care of Nemben full-time. T'is for the best. My son needs me. During my capture, my thoughts lingered on him. I never wish to leave his side again.

My thoughts linger to my husband. We have spent so little time together since my return. Now, he has made for our homeland once again... without his family. I do not know why he went away. I woke up, to find a message upon his pillow. It simply said sorry, that he had some business to attend to.

Bawde is wrong. These northmen ain't like men at home. I still got both my hands an' all my fingers.

I bin runnin' scared fer weeks that iffen I get caught taking things these northern folk will have a knife out, slap me hand on an oak stump and... well I dursn't have ter say more. Bawde says they'm like men at home - an' I knows iffen a warrior or an eorl says you done summat, then a poor lass's word counts fer nothin'.

A cool breeze was blowing across the pool as Fundinul arrived at the entrance to Khazad-Dum. The gate way was open and there was a lot of activity around it. Several large carts were being unloaded of their contents and a line of Dwarves was passing the various crates and boxes between them and into the gate. Behind him more carts were arriving and either side of the convoy a line of Dwarves matched to a steady regimented pace. Each one wore a set of fine plated armour and carried a large pack on his back.