[*Varda*]

***Blue Mountains***

Serin, Mikhelm and Theron emerged from the Learning Room, their eyes being forced to blink in the seemingly harsh sunlight. Serin had proposed they take advantage of their time in the city, so the next few hours were passed peacefully wandering around and taking everything in.

Serin continued to marvel. The architecture, everything was perfect. How had the dwarves sat in their halls of stone for centuries, stubbornly refusing to absorb the beauty of the crafts of other races? One thing was for sure, he would change that.

Even Mikhelm, Serin noted, had changed dramatically on this journey. Before, he had been stubborn, and very unwilling to mix with the others. While Serin was forced to accept that Mikhelm could never change completely, at least he was improving! Even the Elves had managed to hold a conversation with him.

While walking down a small side street, the dwarves met the hobbits, Orlo and Brando. The two were obviously breathtaken with the scenes of the city, being so different from the peaceful surroundings of the Shire.

After listening to the hobbits chatter on for a few minutes, the dwarves said goodbye, and went on their way. Serin was deep in thought, pondering what he could say at the Audience. He obviously wanted more trade between the dwarves and the other races, and it seemed like Mikhelm wouldn't put up so much of a fight.

As for Moria, well, that was another matter. Who knew what the Erebor dwarves were considering at the moment? Perhaps, they would be willing to negotiate. They shared the same blood, and they both had rights to the dwarven city. Surely, in the 4th age, things could be set right.