Entry Hall

Leaping, bubbling, burbling from the stone high above springs the River
Running, and with a constant, but subtle roar, it cascades down into a basin at
the center of this vast, bejeweled cavern, then runs in a diamond clear stream
under a foot bridge, and through a grate under the massive, seemingly hingeless
gate of steel and wood. Hewn to perfection by the stone-loving hands of the
dwarves, the chamber radiates a sense of both beauty, power, and something
beyond both. Dwarves of numerous descriptions move about, many of whom seem to
be guards of some sort or another.

A glance at the gates shows them to be closed.

Tanin

 	Standing only a few inches short of six feet is a man, slight of build,
his dark hair cropped short about his ears. His clean shaven, sharp jawline
rises into high cheekbones, accenting a sharply angled nose. From beneath thin
eyebrows quick, intelligent eyes of blue peer out upon the world.
 	The lean frame of this man bears fine clothes, from a white silken
shirt of fine design and make, to fine hose of deep blue, he is dressed in what
appears to be the garb of a lord of men. Upon his waist, is belted a longsword
with a bejewelled hilt, in a long sheath of fine leather. The belt itself is
made of finely woven strands of leather, and buckled with well polished silver.
About his shoulders is a thick cloak, lined on the inside with white fur and
the outside a bold blue hue, fastened at the neck with a clasp of silver.

Ardin

Ardin is a young dwarf with brown hair and eyes the colour of jade. He wears a
dark green jacket matching his eyes, a blue shirt, dark brown baggy trousers
and sturdy boots. If outside, Ardin wears a maroon felt hat. On his hands, he
carries several rings with big gems, around his neck he wears a big golden
necklace with a halibut shaped, sky blue saphire.

***** Erebor Time & Weather Service ******************************************

** Real time is: Wed Sep 29 11:06:47 1999, GMT -8 ** 
Elendor time is: Twilight (about 8 PM) on Hevensday, 5 July 3018. 
In the Summer sky, The waxing gibbous moon hangs low in the sky but will soon
sail high upon its nightly course. 

****************************************** Erebor Time & Weather Service *****

Stretching, after his long ride to the Dwarven kingdom Under the Mountain, a
tallish man who has the look of a daleman strides into the great entry hall of
the Dwarves, smiling easily as he glances around the great works of steel and
stonework that make up the gates and the hall itself.

Ardin comes strolling in from the Hall of Nain. He glances about nervously and
moves over to the guards. They shake their heads, when he looks at
them. Ardin's shoulders sagg and with downcast eyes he moves towards the
bridge. There he stands, staring into the bubbling stream, nervously kneading
his knuckles.

The tall human carries himself with pride and a lordly bearing. That easygoing
smile remains on his face as he too strides toward the bridge, inclining his
head now and again, with a 'good day, sir Dwarf' to those he passes.

Ardin jumps as he hears a stranger's voice greeting some dwarves right behind
his back. He turns around and looks up and up and up and finally meets the
man's eyes. Ardin's eyebrows knot and sudden apprehension twist his face.  He
says, bowing slightly, "Hrm. My name is Ardin, at your service." Uneasily, his
hands continue to work each other. "Are you also waiting for somebody?" he asks
finally.

Tanin stops, bowing gracefully and deeply as the Dwarf introduces himself, "And
I am Tanin, master of the Arathmor house of Esgaroth," he responds, "But nay, I
do not wait for someone, only seek out one who might show me to where it is the
guest quarters, or an inn where one might stay for some nights would be
located."

Ardin grins a twisted smile, shoots a last longing glance at the closed gates
and turns towards Erebor itself, "If you want, you can follow me. I'll take you
to the guest quarters. I'll show you how to get to Longbeard tavern, too. There
you will be able to meet more people. Are you interested?"

With a slight shrug the man responds, "Certainly, but are you not waiting for
someone? I would not want to cause you to miss them, simply on my account. I
have not been under the mountain in some years, but I am vaguely familiar with
the goings of some of the passages and tunnels.."

Ardin shakes his head and says, "Don't worry about me. Follow me." With long
strides he weaves his way towards the Hall of Nain. Over his shoulders, you can
hear him mutter, "Damn him. His not coming, anyway. Gumbart, Gumbart, what have
you gotten yourself into this time!?"

With his own strides shortened to match the Dwarf's paces, Tanin follows him,
asking, "A friend of yours gotten himself into trouble, eh?" and shaking his
head. "Hopefully not in the lands of Dale--things are tense of late, I noted,
throughout the region. Why, one of my merchants was even given the cold
shoulder in the Iron Hills, offering quite a bit of gold for a very small
service."

Dain's Way

Enormous columns of marble, lined up in a row that marches down the center of
the hall, rise towards the vaulted ceiling, sprouting branches as they go,
eventually becoming fully formed stone trees that seem to support the roof
above. From the stone branches of the tree-columns hang lamps of many shapes
and sizes, but all give off light that is certainly more than adequate.  A
closer look at the columns shows them to be so well crafted that there are even
ants carved into the 'trunks'. The bases of the columns also branch, into
stylized roots, the bases anchored to either side of a straight, narrow channel
cut into the floor. The channel comes from the Hall of Kings and exits through
a low, grated arch in the south wall. The music of the young River Running
fills the hall as it boils and swirls along. Some of the `roots' have been
flattened to afford ocassional access across the stream. Hung at intervals
along the walls are large tapestries of the most detailed and intricate
make. Khazad on business or errands of leisure pass through this hall,
dedicated to the current Dain, as well as his predecessor many generations ago,
who was slain in Mithrin by a wyrm of the cold-drake variety.

Surprised, Ardin looks up at the stranger and says, "You were unable to
buy a small service? That is astonishing. A dear friend and partner of mine,
the very same one I'm waiting for, infact, was in the Iron Hills this last
winter and was made very welcome. It is of course no business of mine to
inquire into your affairs, yet I suspect you met the wrong person, then."

Tanin shakes his head mildly, "All worked out in the end, however, the
Dwarves who finally agreed to perform the service, a small bit of mercenary
work in the south, around Riavod, almost left before they were paid. Quite
strange if you ask me."

You say, "How disturbing. Well, I certainly hope your business will be more
successfull here in Erebor. We're very proud of our contacts all over
Rhovanion, a strong army and a good king. Ah, here we are. Follow me to the
guest quarters."

Tanin nods. "Certainly. And I come here with goods to trade. Fine
leather and beef cattle that I brought out of the south on that very journey. I
have not spoken with King Dain in some years, however, and hope that he has not
forgotten the fine gift of Dorwinrim wine I left with him all that time ago."
He adds a grin to that, even as he follows Ardin into the guest quarters. "Who
should I endeavor to contact in order to gain audience with him, however, I
wonder?"

Guest Quarters

Firelit, this comfortable chamber above the Longbeard Tavern holds many
amenities for the casual guest of The Mountain. While the light is perpetually
dim and there is a faint haze of wood-smoke in the room, it seems rather large,
perhaps big enough to comfortably hold some fifteen dwarf-sized cots at the
tapestried walls. While the room is primarily used for sleeping, a large table
in the center of the chamber for games and meetings is still available. Stately
doors of mahogany and walnut at each quadrant of the chamber lead to guest
chambers for the nobility.

Ardin considers for a moment, "Well, you might try one of the Thanes
that sometimes come here to Longbeard Tavern to drink. See yonder tunnel leadin
downwards? That's the way to Longbeard Tavern. Ask for the Thane of Clan
Bundazanul by the name of Jorin. He's of quite some importance, a lover of
pipeweed, and a famous merchant as well. Perhaps he can help you."

Tanin nods slightly. "I have heard of him, a merchant thane would be the man I
should speak with as well, concerning the sale of this leather and the beef
cattle that remain now on the farms near the long lake.."

Ardin bows---much deeper than the first time---and says, "Well, you have
reached your destination for tonight, it seems. You'll be able to find me in
Longbeard Tavern itself in the days to come, should you require further
assistance. I wish you well, Tanin, master of the Arathmor house of Esgaroth."

Tanin bows again as well, "And I you, Ardin of the Lonely Mountain." he
responds, smiling and glancing around slightly, "This will do nicely for the
night.. and I've had a long ride, I fear, rest would come kindly."

Ardin turns around and walks back towards Dain's way.