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In the Eldar Days the eldest Father of the Khazad, Durin the Deathless, gazed into the Mirrormere in the Dimrill Dale; a crown of stars reflected in its waters. Here was his realm founded, deep under the three peaks of the Misty Mountains. Thousands of years later Khazad-dum, the Dwarf-mansions, would be known as the most famous of the manors of the Dwarves, and its carved pillars would adorn the halls from east to west, the only cavern in which the beautiful metal mithril would ever be found.

-Written by Falathrim-

Khazad-dûm :: The Thirteenth Hall of the North End
Nar

For a short while, King Durin V sat in silence. But just as soon as the great clock-bells sounded five times, long echoing in the great cavernous halls, the great west gate of the Thirteenth Hall opened, and out marched Nar, adorned as usual in his great armor of gold, silver, and even mithril. His breastplate had long ago become scratched and stained (save that which was forged of true-silver), and his black hair and beard was unkempt, even as Dwarf-standards go.

His look was hardly befitting of the richest of Dwarf-nobles, save the king in front of him. Yet perhaps it was fitting, for all knew that he was often in the great mines in the lower levels, working harder than even those he paid handsomely for their service. Few were there even among the Khazad who could mine true silver so expertly as Nar son of Anar, distant descendant of Durin the Deathless.

Behind Nar marched thirteen Dwarves of his service, experts in the field of mining and forging, employees of the Thirteenth Hall, the mansions of Nar. "You know, king, that Nar is never late. Fifth hour of the new day, and I am ready to mine, as always."

Khazad-dûm :: The Thirteenth Hall
Nar

"Do the works of my workers not soon enough find their way to your collection? My workers are your workers, my king!" Of course, this was but a half-truth. Though Nar was loyal always to his king and cousin, the desire to craft beautiful helms and shields was always first on that Dwarf's mind, for he was akin to his father, and so he always sought to find only the most able workers.

As soon as he returned Durin V’s guffaw, he turned to face his thirteen miners. "Let us now go to the deepest levels of these mansions, and let us not cease our search for true silver until our arms are broken in the burden of carrying our treasure!" he commanded in the secret tongue of the Dwarves.

"Our miners are prepared, my king."

Khazad-dûm :: Mines of the First Level
Nar

No sooner had Durin V declared his discover was Nar upon the thread, chiseling madly, yet expertly, at the rock. The mithril madness was upon that Dwarf, and truly that madness was upon him more than all other Dwarves. The thirteen of his company followed their lord's lead, albeit a bit slower and much less fervently.

As time wore on, however, Nar's obsession slowly ebbed, as pails and carts alike were filled with great chunks of rock, all containing large amounts of true-silver. Finally, he began to speak again, to amuse himself and his company. Long did they discuss the politics and events that of the Dwarf-halls, and especially their love of the forge, but eventually the topic turned to the world outside.

"I hear that Isildur of Gondor was taken by Sauron," muttered Nar, speaking to his king. "It makes you wonder what great hoard of fiends that the Enemy of the Elves is brewin', if an Adan of Westernesse can be tak'n from his home. Mahal truly has mercy for us, for long has your mansions been kept safe. But I do wonder what to make of this news..."

He did not speak of the Eldar in contempt, as most Dwarves of his generation had taken to (foolishly, thought Nar), for his father had had dealings with the Firstborn, and knew them to be no monsters. Nar had even learned much from the high Elves of Lindon in his childhood, and he took them to be friends (unsteady allies though they may often be).

Khazad-dûm :: Mines of the First Level
Nar

Nar heartily voiced his agreement, partly because he didn’t want to worry his servants (rather, he would wait to worry them until worrying wouldn’t result in lost profit), and partly because Durin V was right, it was a beautiful mithril vein. "The day the nose of the great Dwarven king fails him is the day Mahal forsakes us all. A beautiful find!"

Seeing that the others have turned back to their work, Nar once more turns back to the issue of politics. "We do need to remember. When the Man-kingdom of the South was settled, he was thought to be dead, and his realm forsaken forever. Even the Wise thought this. That is where the foolishness comes; for by the time the Enemy returned, those tow towers had been raised for many a year. I wonder if we could easily forsake these mansions, if some unnamed menace would appear."

He said naught for a great while. But suddenly, he spoke again. "I would not abandon the halls of our fathers. If that makes me a fool, so be it."