The Aftermath of Gundabad

[Pontifex Maximus]

Nalar leaned heavily upon his axe. The slaughter outside the citadel had been great, and losses piled high on both sides. In the end, the goblins had been forced to scatter, many of them heading south. They always headed south. Half a dozen skirmishes and battles, and after each defeat the goblins always fled south. It would be hard work flushing them out of their hiding holes in the mountains, but for now a great victory had been won. Bofgrim wandered the battlefield, killing wounded goblins with a swift blow from his sword.

[Lucius Malfoy]

A nice soft crushing noise was followed after a warhammer came down upon a goblin's chest, ending the pitiful creatures life. Toraag removes his weapon from the goblin's chest and examined it quietly. No signs of wear, but the Orc blood would sure cause corrosion to the metal if not wiped off. He swung his warhammer over his shoulder as Toraag began to walk around the battlefield. His eyes now turning to the sight of Gundabad, the place of awakening for Durin the Deathless, the first great king and founder of Khazad Dûm. Once a holy place for his people, now it was a tainted fortress long held by the Goblins. The sounds of ransacking and voices of Dwarvens could be heard from the chasms below as the host began to plunder what useful materials there were within Gundabad before moving south. Toraag would sit upon a rock now, gazing at the great piles of Goblins among the fallen Dwarves.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Regaining his composure, Nalar set about determining who was left. He saw Nagar die himself, it had taken five arrows but he fell where he stood. Lefi's corpse was propped up by the spear that took his life. So much death, so few yet remained, but the war was not won.

"Toraag, we cannot linger. We must move south through the mountains if we're to meet the other hosts marching east."

[Gandalfus]

Thrain grimaced as he wiped the blood off his blade, inspecting the carnage. Many dwarves lay dead, but many more goblins lay among them. Death ruled in Gundabad, and the holy mountain reeked of Orc. Thran wrinkled his nose at the smell, picking up a well worn shield to replace his own that was shattered during the carnage. Breathing heavily, he wiped the sweat from his forehead before leaning on his blade. His armour was stained with blood, as was his blade, his comrades lay dead on the floor among a pile of goblin filth. He gazed up at the mountain, wondering if it all was worth it.

[Feanaro Curufinwe]

Ibun stared at the holy mountain in amazement, awe overcoming as he knelt after all the Orcs had been put in flight. He wiped the bloodstained sword, and gazed at the battlefield at all the carnage. This was what they would encounter in Moria. Glory,Battles and Death.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Nalar tucked his forked beard back into his silver belt and lifted his axe. No more sitting around.

"Gather round, all of you. We cannot linger, and to see this place aruined grieves my heart."

[Gandalfus]

Thrain grumbled, stretching, before joining the others.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Regaining his composure, Nalar set about determining who was left. He saw Nagar die himself, it had taken five arrows but he fell where he stood. Lefi's corpse was propped up by the spear that took his life. So much death, so few yet remained, but the war was not won.

"Toraag, we cannot linger. We must move south through the mountains if we're to meet the other hosts marching east."

Toraag noticed Nalar, the Dwarven Lord that had been leading their small company from the Blue Mountains to now. He strokes his beard slightly.

I'd rather leave just because of the smell. People tell of stinky goblin nests and other foul things within Gundabad. I could smell it for miles before we even arrived.

Nalar tucked his forked beard back into his silver belt and lifted his axe. No more sitting around.

"Gather round, all of you. We cannot linger, and to see this place aruined grieves my heart."

Toraag would stand up from his rock now, with his hammer still slung over his shoulder.

Will be following the main host south? Or taking our own route, Nalar?

[Pontifex Maximus]

Taking stock of the remaining numbers, Bofgrim made an audible sigh.

"Some one hundred and twenty remain, father."

They had set out with over three hundred from the Blue Mountains, and their host had been sadly reduced. Nalar shook his helmed head and responded to Toorag "We will continue south through the mountains and flush out any goblin hiding holes. The fewer that reach south, the fewer they will have to meet our main host. Prepare to march."

Still, Nalar knew he had to south Eregion with his numbers close to intact. He hadn't yet broached the question of retaking Moria with them. The idea of it brought a twinkle to his eye as he imagined the riches...the power. It couldn't be passed up.

[Feanaro Curufinwe]

''If we are to go from the East, it is inevitable that we pass near Lorien."

[Feanaro Curufinwe]

''How would we enter Khazad-Dum? The way from the East is barred for the moment, as the gates are strong and manned by Orcs. The West Gate we cannot open,or break."

[Pontifex Maximus]

"He do not yet know if we shall enter the mines, Ibun. Regardless, the easiest way would be through Azanulbizar, I'd imagine. I have no desire to venture close to Lorien."

[Gandalfus]

Thrain nodded, booming loudly.

​Aye. I have no love for the elves.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Nalar shook his head

"We approach Azanulbizar via the mountain pass, we should miss Lorien. I would not step foot in those accursed woods, even if others will."

Both dwarves began to get their equipment together. Bofgrim slung his shield across his back and got his pack in order.

"We should have more ponies now. Let's pack the provisions. There is no point lingering in this place."

[Lord Dread]

"Lorien? Bah, don't talk about these... elves!", suddenly a voice said, "My mace wants to spill more orc blood and my hammer is looking forward the wonderful stone deep inside our old mines of the Misty Mountains - but I really hope that we don't have to pass their regions. Elves can't be trusted as my father Orin always said and I share his opinion."
Zhabrok mustered the other dwarves with an amused look, already packing his pony.
"I'm glad these orcish bastards never get in reach of my dear little girl", he said, a little bit drunken from the victory and beer he drank after the battle, "Otherwise I would have to buy a new one from one of the stable masters in the southern regions and you may know how annoying some of these humen can be."

[Pontifex Maximus]

The caravan had begun to move south, first up a slope to the south then a small, rocky path between two opposing faces of cliff. It was mountain territory, and Nalar felt at home. He turned to Zhabrok.

"We'll have use of your skills before long, my friend. Don't get yourself killed along the way. The elves are treacherous and greedy. Who knows how much stolen wealth they have accumulated over the centuries? Regardless of that one thing is for certain: much remains undiscovered in the lost Kingdom in the mountains. If only I lived during the times of Durin and were a student of such secrets...one of the craftsmen of old."

[Lord Dread]

The caravan had begun to move south, first up a slope to the south then a small, rocky path between two opposing faces of cliff. It was mountain territory, and Nalar felt at home. He turned to Zhabrok.

"We'll have use of your skills before long, my friend. Don't get yourself killed along the way. The elves are treacherous and greedy. Who knows how much stolen wealth they have accumulated over the centuries? Regardless of that one thing is for certain: much remains undiscovered in the lost Kingdom in the mountains. If only I lived during the times of Durin and were a student of such secrets...one of the craftsmen of old."

The dwarven mason nodded.
"Aye, due to my knowledge the dwarves living in Khazad-Dum built their halls and buildings in a more unique style, compared to Erebor, the Blue Mountains and the Grey Mountains", he said agreeing, "Don't worry, my friend, I will be careful. As long as I don't have to hide myself like an old dwarven woman in the deepest corner of Moria until our conquest is over, I will serve our task as good as possible and rebuilt these old halls - even if I have to do the whole job alone and to slay at the same time an orcish army in my back."
Surely most of his words are boasting, Zhabrok knew by himself that he wasn't the best warrior, compared with the other dwarves. Nevertheless he hoped that he will sometimes get the chance to support his comrades in battlefield instead of waiting for messages of their return from the battlefield.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Toraag began packing what he needed onto his pony. His eyes looking back at Gundabad, listening to the ransacking of the place before joining their caravan as they headed south. He looks at Nalar.

Nalar, will be avoiding Goblin Town or attacking it? It is the most prominent Goblin places between here and Moria. Taking it will ensure that the Goblins don't get any reinforcements at the final battle.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Nalar cantered his pony. He hated the boredom but what was to be done on a march? Goblin stronghold could not be imagined, but by this stage of the journey Nalar had become talented in spotting the most likely spot. He scanned the cliff-sides looking for the telltale signs.

"My dear Toraag, we will fight the damned goblins wherever we meet them. If we encounter a garrison, even one thrice our number, we shall destroy them. I trust your hammer has not yet been slaked. I know my axe has not."

Nalar patted his axe on his back

"know this! Whomever so stands in the way of my axe and the glory of the dwarves shall find themselves cloven in two!"

He gave a light laugh, he knew the dwarves of his company, his relationship with them was not one of lord. more of a comrade who had merely assumed the mantle of leadership

[Gandalfus]

Thrain roared in delight at the prospect of killing more goblins.

I'll drink to that! Here's to Durin's line, and all the orcs that we've slain!