[Koobdooga]

‘What do you seek there which you do not have already in the glorious halls of Durin?’ asked Frór. Ibun considered the question carefully before answering.

‘The halls are glorious. You have the right of that. Though, we are still in the process of repairing and restoring the great damage that Durin’s Bane made when he was loosed. And the last of the Orcs have been driven out of the cavern . . . they, too, I am sad to say caused much mischief.’ He shook his head, his eyes hard with anger at all that had been done to mar the great halls beneath the mountains. ‘Sorrier, though, are we that after all the wars against us, our number are much fewer than before.’ He took a pull at his ale. ‘King Durin VII has sent out messengers, such as myself, to the north and to the west, seeking those families of the Longbeards who once dwelt in Khazad-dum . . . inviting them back to dwell there in their ancient halls and rebuild it once more.’

Ibun pushed his half empty plate away from him. Fishing in his vest pocket he drew out his pouch of pipeweed. ‘I say, Frór. When you’re done with your meal there, might I offer you a pipeful?’