The Great Hall of Thrain I

A magnificently huge hall, full of light, sound, and dwarves coming and
going, reading the bulletin board, conversing with friends or haggling with
traders. This was once the Feasting Hall of Thrain, and then, the room Smaug
hoarded Erebor's wealth in. The walls and floor have since been repaired, and
even improved, glowing a soft blue in the light of the crystal lamps hung from
the hematite ceiling. Every surface the eye can find is smoothed and polished,
proving that the dwarves have not yet lost their famed touch in stone working,
save for one spot in the center of the floor, marked off by a ring of simple
stones: a charred spot, a legacy of Smaug. The four clan gates exit from this
hall, the hub of Erebor's society. It is still used as a feast hall on High
Days, but day to day serves as a market for those without permenant demesnes in
the Trader's Way. 

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

** Real time is: Tue Oct 26 13:16:49 1999, GMT -8 ** 
Elendor time is: Early Night (9 PM) on Trewsday, 21 September 3018. 
In the Autumn sky, The new moon is like a black hole among the stars. 

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

Ardin arrives from upstairs, heading for the Zinbar gate. He looks tired and
unusually sober for such an hour. Two merchants just about to leave shake their
heads as they see Ardin walk past them. One of them calls, "Hey Ardin!  Sold
your shop?" Ardin turns around and shouts angrily, "Hold your tongue, Ogin!
There is no need to add insult to injury!"

All around this Great Hall, the traders and crafts-dwarves are closing
their shops. They're packing up thier goods for the day. Coin purses are closed,
as are money boxes. Goods are carried back to their holdings and the Khazad
selling them are migrating back to thier homes, or in some cases up the stairs
to the Longbeard Tavern. About this time shouting begins to come from the open
stone doors. Khazad look toward that direction and see three dwarves walking
into the Great Hall. Derkin is walking at the farmost left of the group, while
the Master Embalmer of the Mountain walks at the rightmost. In between these 2
Khazad is a much younger one. His beard isn't quite as long as his elders, and
his clothing show him to be an apprentice embalmer. The Master Embalmer is
shouting at the apprentice, and the words slowly become understandable as the
three approach, "...idiotic! Never has this happened in the history of Erebor!
Ye will be lucky if ye keep yer apprenticeship!" Derkin is nodding to the Master
Embalmer's words, then adds, "Aye Master Dari. At the very least he should be
given the task of coming with to fix his error." The young Khazad looks
overwelmed and slightly afraid. He continually tries to say something in his
defence, but is always interupted by the elders.

From the great stair's lower landing, through the mass of Dwarves that moves
regularly through this central marketplace, strides a man, tall only by
comparison to the Dwarves that surround him, he is dressed in fine clothes, and
an ornamental appearing sword hangs from his waist. His vantage, nearly a foot
taller than even the tallest of the gathered Dwarves, allows him a different
perspective on the large space before him, and he casually scans his
surroundings.

A cane clicks upon the ancient stone flagstones of this greathall amidst the
diminishing noises of the daily market. The dwarf wielding the cane, gnarled and
weathered, but marked as ancient only by his whitening hair, walks with steady
dignity at the head of an armed escort toward the Great Stairs. Most present
recognize him as the dwarf Ori, and bow or nod respectfully as he passes, as is
proper. Near the stairs Ori passes the man Tanin, and wags his beard in
greeting. "Arathmor..."