Burfi

Act III, Part XVII: The Fading of Tinnurion

As is custom with Dwarves, the older dwarf has more authority than the younger, and to him is relayed all the knowledge of his forebears and their treasures also. In the line of Stouthammer, each Elder received the family heirlooms; the ring and key.

Age 0-30

I have packed my bags with enough provisions for the journey ahead. Dwarves' Bread rations in case I finish my store of salted pork. Last time I ate it all before I even reached the Great East Road. Some barley bread and seasoning for when I'm fortunate on the hunt. My lucky cauldron and a few of my old iron pans, dented but not rusty! A small iron ladle of my father's that has spent many an hour in kettles full of hearty stew. O' how I miss my father's cookery! The scent of his meals could delight a bear out of his winter sleep!

The King has commanded me to find forgotten secrets in Mordor, mostly surrounding the ring-lore of Sauron. While I wish not to defy my Lord he demands a great many things, and it weighs heavily upon me. I have fought alongside the Longbeards quite recently and personally spoken with King Dain II Ironfoot prior to his death before the gates of Erebor, where also the last of my family fell. His son, Thorin III is now king of Durin's Folk, and I pledged my allegiance to his house the day we broke the siege and drove the Easterlings from our lands.

A herald of the Firebeard King comes before the doors of Stouthammer Hall, the residence of Búrfi son of Brór, Amrazu Uzal and Keeper of the Great Drum of Akladubeshek, the Great Adventurer of the Firebeards.

Herald: Hail Búrfi, son of Brór. Your presence at court is requested by the King. He bids you not to tarry.

Búrfi is surprised by the urgency behind the herald's words, but he knows better than to inquire after it.

Búrfi: If the King summons me, I will answer.

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!

We're duty bound,

Ere death knell sound,

We sing our final song,

With axe and sword,

Our final chord,