# Written by Pleasenotme

#

# Prequel to The Dwarven Merchant

#

#title:Elves and Mountains - Part I

#author:Óri, son of Póri

#types:rivendell,eriador,durins_folk,blue_mountains

#reward

#

The cold wind of the Misty Mountains bit into my face like a pack of hungry Wargs as I travelled southward to Rohan. 'Twas useless to light a fire, aye, not even the great Smaug could have stayed alight in this snowstorm.

But I am Óri, son of Póri, and I have survived what most would fear! I walked the pass despite the bitter cold, and found myself a cave! Inside I saw the body of an Orc on the cold stone ground. But not to fear, for this Orc had been frozen to death by the cold, as I would perhaps be soon.

I salvaged from the corpse a dagger and a pickaxe, forged of twisted black steel. I hung them at my belt, and lit a fire. The cave was small, but it gave me refuge from the cold. I examined the Orc's tools in the firelight. Forged by an inexperienced hand. Useless to me.

I decided to rethink my course. I'd planned to get to the Glittering Caves, but those were far from where I was.

If I exited the mountains from the East, I'd pass the Golden Wood, and the Elves there have little love for my people. 'Twas a long way South through the Misty Mountains, and I had little desire to travel from here. My only option was to travel West to Rivendell.

# Written by Pleasenotme

#

# Prequel to The Dwarven Merchant

#

#title:Elves and Mountains - Part II

#author:Óri, son of Póri

#types:rivendell,eriador,durins_folk,blue_mountains

#reward

#

I travelled West for a while, through the bleak and bitterly cold mountains, till I came to a river. I assumed this was one of the tributaries of the Bruinen, that flowed into Rivendell. My food supplies by now ran low, so I had no choice but to go to the hidden vale. I led my faithful donkey along the river, until we finally reached the pass into Imladris.

A guard noticed me, and inquired what business I had, holding an Elven sword.

Unfazed by the blade, I told him, "I shall recount my story but once, so take me to your master so that I may tell of my journey."

Impressed by my bravery, the dumbfounded Elf arranged for my donkey to be held in the stables, and escorted me through several fine passageways, until I found myself seated before the lord Elrond.

# Written by Pleasenotme

#

# Prequel to The Dwarven Merchant

#

#title:Elves and Mountains - Part III

#author:Óri, son of Póri

#types:rivendell,eriador,durins_folk,blue_mountains

#reward

#

I was seated in the house of Elrond, with a plate full of food before me. There was some sort of elven bread, roast chicken, apples, several kinds of berries, a cake, and a glass of wine.

While I ate, I told lord Elrond of my journeys, my valiant battles against Orcs and Uruks, my miraculous escapes from Warg packs, my travels through the mountains cold, the mighty blades I forged for great warriors, my axes to fell the heads of Goblins, and my faithful donkey!

He listened with a face full of awe while I recounted my adventures. After lunch, I was shown to a room they had arranged for me.

In the evening, I visited the forges of the Elves. I showed the smiths the wonders of Dwarven craft, how we craft the best steel from simple supplies, how we turn steel into a stunning blue colour, how our steel is made hard yet supple and easy to shape.

The smiths of the Elves were skilled, and knew good smithcraft when they saw it. I forged a blade for them, as a token of friendship from the Dwarves.

# Written by Pleasenotme

#

# Prequel to The Dwarven Merchant

#

#title:Elves and Mountains - Part IV

#author:Óri, son of Póri

#types:rivendell,eriador,durins_folk,blue_mountains

#reward

#

I had stayed in Rivendell for a few days, and decided I should leave in a day or two. As a parting gift, the Elves decided to teach me some of their smithcraft.

After watching them craft fine blades, I decided to craft one of my own.

I used fair Elven steel for the blade. I beat the blade into a cresent shape. I used the special blue steel of my kin in the Blue Mountains for the guard. For the handle, I used my finest leather, brown and soft, from a deer. With the help of the Elves, I enchanted the blade to glow blue when Orcs lie near.

I soon left Rivendell, with my faithful donkey by my side, after deciding to visit my kin in the Blue Mountains.