Alfred and his companions passed by lighted passages on left and right, from which came the sound of dwarven voices. Finally they reached another double doors with guards that led them into the throne hall. The hall was vast and luminous. It was brightly lit but there was no visible source of light. It was supported by marble pillars and decorated with marvelous tapestries, which showed the history of this dwarf clan. At the end of the hall stood a golden throne that shone so brightly that it turned the hall into a brightly lit meadow on a summer day. In the back of the hall was a group of dwarves standing around the throne like some kind of a council. Most of the members were old, but here and there you could see a short-bearded young fellow standing with his elders. It was obvious that some kind of discussion was going on. Two dwarves were trying to present their matter to the only person sitting in the entire hall. At the throne sat a kindly old dwarf with a long white beard, and with a bent body. He was clothed like other dwarfs, in leather shirt, chain mail, and good boots. His belt, however, was made of glistening diamonds, and a crown of mithril-gold shone on his head. The spirit that inhabited the body, however, was not in any way diminished by his age, and his eyes were the first to spot the strangers in his hall and to study them closely. The eyes were kind; however, they were also stern and unyielding as they probed each of the visitors. Alfred swallowed a lump when the king held his gaze upon him, but he returned the gaze with one of his own. As soon as the petitioners saw the king's look, they also turned around and spotted Alfred and his group as they steadily approached the throne. A hushed silence fell as they crossed those last few steps to the throne itself. Council members moved out of the way to let them through.

Bofur led the way, with Alfred beside him and Brombur and the guards in the rear. Kingús eyes lighted with brightness when he laid eyes on Bofur, and he rose. Bofur kneeled, and the King motioned him to rise. The King said:

-If my old eyes are not playing tricks with me, it is you, Bofur, my friend. We thought you lost in the Mines!

Bofur raised his head, and for a moment the two of them stood locked in a gaze. Then they suddenly embraced long and hard.

-Akkharten, my old friend, it has been a long time. But we have important matters to discuss, and they can't be discussed here in the throne hall.

-Do they include your silent human companion? - asked the King, and Bofur answered:

-Aye, they do, but we can do the introductions later. May I suggest, Akkharten, that you leave the council to Brombur's hands, so we can talk without interruption?

-I think you are right. Chamberlain, take over the council and see to it that something is finally agreed upon. I have grown tired from all this argument. We shall be in my quarters. Oh, and send us a page, we'll be needing some nourishment for our guests.

And King turned and motioned Alfred to follow. He and Brombur followed the King to a double set doors on the side of the hall. The guards opened them and closed them again as they passed. They found themselves in a smaller hall, but more richly decorated. From there they passed a single door into a small room with a long table and a fireplace. A page lit the fire and the lamps hanging from the walls. The King thanked him and released him. The page left the room and closed the door behind him. The King seated himself at the top of the table, and asked Alfred and Bofur to sit down. They did so. Then Bofur made the introductions and introduced Alfred to the King. At that time another page came in, left a tray laden with food and drink and left the room. As he was leaving, King ordered:

-See that we are not to be disturbed!

-Certainly, Your Majesty.

And the page carefully closed the door. They were left alone. They sat in a moment of awkward silence.

Then the King burst into a loud laugh. Bofur joined him, and Alfred was very confused. Then the King, still laughing, said in a strong voice:

-Eat, my lad, eat. What did you think, that all this food was for show only? Oh come, I am as hungry as a beast, and visitors are a welcome intrusion these days, assuming of course they didn't come to rob me!

Alfred weakly answered:

-I am sorry, Your Majesty, but I doesn't seem right to start eating before Your Majesty.

-Well, lad, get used to such things, because we dwarves don't think much of the protocol. That show in the throne hall, that was only for the council, and only because they seem to have a pretty set notion of what the King should behave like.

And the King started eating. Bofur was already half-way into a roasted leg of lamb, and didn't pay any attention to King's presence. After a moment or two Alfred joined them and started eating too. The meal was excellent, and they didn't need any utensils. Pieces of meat, fresh vegetables, some dried fruit, loaves of steaming fresh bread, and the best Rubenshire wine you can find outside Rubenshire itself kept them busy for about an hour. Alfred was amazed at the all the food at the table of the dwarven King. Dwarves didn't grow almost any of their food, and most of their supplies came from the outside world, through trade for their metal products. But if the Western Gate was closed, how did that loaf of excellent fresh bread find itself on the table here, so far underground? Alfred was thinking whether of not to ask the King about it, but then thought better of it and kept quiet. If the dwarven Kings had some means of connection to the outside world that no one knew about, their secret was safe in the head of the King Akkharten himself. Finally, the table began to look empty as plates were emptied, glasses drunk, and napkins set down. And then, when the last crumb was eaten and the last drop of wine drunk, the King started to speak:

-Bofur, my friend, and Alfred, son of Eyral, unfortunately we didn't meet here just to celebrate with chosen wines and foodstuffs. No, we didn't, and I only wish we did.

Bofur was about to interrupt Akkharten, but the King just raised his hand and continued:

-I know Bofur, you are eager to tell your story, but the time is sparse and I can hear that later. I already heard what I want to know for know, and that is the errand our young human friend is at. I think it is important, because none would dare enter our Mines at great peril unless their cause was desperate, and that is the reason I've decided to let Alfred son of Eyral pass through our Kingdom unimpeded. However, we the dwarves under the Thunder Mountain will have to ask you to do something in return.

He stopped for a moment, until Bofur looked at Alfred, and slowly nodded, after which Alfred nodded himself. Alfred was expecting something like this. Dwarves usually didn't let strangers inside their kingdoms, and conducted all their trade with the outside world at the Gates to their tunnels.

-Good, I see that you understand. Bofur, I always suspected you stayed alive even after we sealed the Mines, but I've never thought you'll return and in such company! And now, Alfred son of Eyral, you must tell me in detail exactly what did you find at the Western Gate.

Alfred started to describe in detail the way he found the valley of the Gate. The King frequently interrupted him to ask questions, or to clarify something. At last he asked Alfred to show him the drawing of the banner he saw on the armor of the dead knight.

-This is as good as I can remember, but I am not sure what some of the shapes represent, Your Majesty - Alfred took out the parchment with the drawing into his hand, and showed it to the King. Both him and Bofur nodded with recognition.

-This is the royal sign of the Duke Dunnbarrow, and this here - and Akkharten pointed his finger at a double-pointed arrow at the bottom of the banner - says that the man you saw dead was one of the Duke's messengers, not Duke himself. Duke's banner has a small dragon here to indicate it is Duke himself riding, and this one doesn't have that.

-This must mean that this Duke Dunnbarrow is trying send us a message! But tell me, Akkharten, how come you didn't get it? And I still haven't found out what happened at the Western Gate? - Bofur turned and asked the King.

-Ah, Bofur, your have been out of touch with affairs of the world for almost a century, and know not of our ties to this human Lord. As for the event at the Gate: we were ambushed by orcs, nothing too unusual, but these were large and strong, and there were many of them. They also had the help of some wizard, Gorath curse him, and they managed to kill off the guard before the inner garrison could react. So the garrison closed the door, but then that mage started pummeling on the door, and he made several large dents in them. It seemed as the door was going to brake down so we hurried into the inner halls and abandoned the Mines. - the King answered.

-Dents in the Western Gate? That must have been some new orcish evil. No axe or firepowder can make even a much as a scratch in the Western Gate. - Bofur was worriedly scratching his head.

-Aye, and that was the reason we retreated into the inner halls. And now Alfred son of Eyral, your role in these matters comes to be. We need someone to pass a message to Duke Dunnbarrow's castle, and you must hurry, for it would be a matter of grave importance to force Duke to send a captain as a messenger with a band of soldiers.

You have a choice, though. If you do not want to be our messenger, or have any other reason to deny us, you will have to work out your welcome in our kingdom. I would then ask from you two weeks of work in the Mines in the least. What will be thy choice, lad? - and the King turned towards Alfred, his eyes grave and stern.

-Your Majesty, I can't afford two delay of two weeks, and I wish to repay you for your generous welcome, so I will partake your mission, since the Duke's lands are in my path anyway. Just tell me where exactly is the Duke's castle, and how do I get there. - Alfred was worriedly looking at Bofur, but the old dwarf relaxed.

-Lad, you made the right choice. I will write the parchment for the Duke right away. You will take it by the shortest route to him and only him personally, and make sure he reads it. After that your task is done. You, however, must not allow any stray eyes, including your own, to gaze upon that parchment. If you do so, I will find out about it and put the worst curse I can think of on you. And don't think, lad, that dwarven curses are light, for you will then have a chance to change your opinion. Bofur will tell you all about the quickest path to his lands, as well as provision you with the supplies you will need. As for the location of the Dukeús castle, let me mark it for you on your map. û The King bent down and made several marks on Alfredús map.

- And now, be off! There's no time to lose! - and the King stood up from the table.

The King led Alfred and Bofur out of the room. Bofur then led Alfred first through the throne room, empty now except for the guards, and through several halls into a small room that looked like an armory and a workshop at the same time. There they saw several younger dwarves running around at the sharp orders from an older, silver-bearded dwarf that was sitting at a table in the middle of the room and using a looking glass to study a smallish piece of a large machine set in the corner of the room. The old dwarf looked up and saw Alfred and Bofur pass through the door, and rose up to greet them:

-Bofur, my old friend! Well, I thought you were lost in the Old Mines! I did hear the rumor though, that you had appeared at the Gate, alive and well... Come, come here, and greet your old friend!

And Bofur hugged the other dwarf strongly. Releasing him, he turned toward Alfred and said:

-Brax, here is a young human lad who needs to be outfitted as a messenger for the King. Alfred, this is Brax the Grey Owl. He is the oldest dwarf I know, and the wisest.

Brax smiled at Bofur's words, and outstretched his hand in greeting. Alfred took out Brax's outstretched hand, and after they shook hands, Brax said:

-So, what is your name lad? And how come you be the messenger of the King?

-I am Alfred son of Eyral, and the story of how I come to be the King's messenger is long enough. But I am sure Master Bofur will be glad to tell you all about it. - and Alfred smiled.

-Aye, Brax, it's true. But this lad can be outfitted by one of your apprentices, and we can talk.

-Well, well, I think that would be for the best. Don't think me inhospitable, lad, but Bofur is an old friend of mine, and I haven't seen him, well, for 80 years, or about. Kili! Kili! Where is that lazy dwarf? He's never here when I need him, you mind. Kili!

Brax hadn't had the time to turn around, and he was just about to shout for another time, when a dextrous young dwarf appeared behind his back, and answered:

-You called, Master Brax?

-Of course I did, you lazy fool. And listen now. I want you to take this lad into the workshop and outfit him with the best of armor and a choice of weapon so he can fulfill his errand as a King's messenger. And you better not mess up this time!

With a last look, Alfred saw Bofur, and Bofur nodded to him. Alfred turned and followed the young dwarf. Behind him Alfred could hear Brax yelling to another couple of his apprentices to bring refreshments to his table so he and his friend can talk. Kili turned to him and smiled fiendishly:

-Listen, friend, old Brax is still yelling at them, isn't he? Well, don't think unkindly of him. That's just his way with younger dwarwes. And, just between you and me, I am thinking that he is beginning to go deaf, but don't tell him that I told you that. My name is Kili, as anyone within a quarter of a league could have heard, and what is yours?

-My name is Alfred son of Eyral, and if your Master takes on a habit of yelling for apprentices that loud, I think I'll rather stay with my regular job and send messages for the King.

And Kili smiled and Alfred did too. Alfred then said:

-Kili, if I may call you so, tell me a little about this kingdom, for I have not heard a lot of the dwarves' affairs lately. I do admit I visited the trading halls of Akkramseth no more than a few weeks ago, but that seems but ages ago to me. A week ago Akkliseoth was full of merriment, and joy, and trading was very lively. Yesterday I found the gates of the kingdom closed, and no one answered my knocking. Know your people not of the carnage in the valley in front of the Western Gate?

Kili turned serious as he answered:

-Aye, what you say is true, times have changed since several weeks ago. Since then, we had many skirmishes with orc patrols, and one big patrol tried to conquer the Gate. Their magic was too strong for us, and we had to seal it, thus to prevent foul creatures from entering. But don't think that a little orc patrol can bring Akkharten to fear his shadow; something else is on his mind. I have heard rumors that svirfneblin are on the rise again, and that their armies have been assembling in the underground for a long time, preparing an attack on Akkliseoth. I can't tell you if this is true, but I fear bad times are coming. Aye, evil is about the lands.

Alfred solemnly nodded and they continued down the passage. They were now in the residential quarters, where most of the dwarves lived. On the side of the passage were doors at regular intervals that led to the dormitories where dwarves slept, and many side passages branched from the main passage, telling of the large number of earth people that dwelt here. Noise level dropped considerably as Alfred and Kili made a turn to a side passage where Kili had his room. Several doors in this tunnel were open, and through them Alfred saw dwarves in their leisure time. Some were sleeping, others were doing artwork with metal and gems, some were studying scrolls and books, and some were quietly meditating and praying to Fertin, the god of light. Kili's room was a small rectangular chamber, five strides long and wide, and only contained his bunk as well as a chest with his few possessions. Here Kili dropped off his heavy smith's leather shirt, and then told Alfred:

-We now have to go to my workshop. It is close to h, just a few doors down the tunnel. Follow me.

Kili opened a wooden chest on the floor of his room, put the shirt into it, and closed it. He then exited his room and started down the corridor. Alfred followed right after him.

It soon turned out that Kili was a good company. They reached his small workshop little further in the passages after a couple of minutes, and they talked all the way. Alfred found out that Kili was only several years older than Alfred, and that he is a very merry young dwarf. He was relieved to find out that Alfred was already satisfied with his armor, and was a little surprised to see that it was a work of a dwarven smith, but he didn't say anything. He repaired the broken links, and fixed several weak places, but his work was soon done, and they decided to talk the rest of the time until Brax and Bofur called for them. Alfred mentioned the map he had of the Old Mines, and Kili studied it with great interest. He looked at it and then said:

-This is a very good map, probably from one of the first prospecting teams. I have several maps, but none is as old as this one. But I have an idea. If you allow me to transcribe this map, I'll make copies of the maps I have for you.

-You don't need to copy it for me, why don't you take the original and give the copy to me? I don't need it any more.

-Oh, that would be a great gift, Alfred. I have to give you something in return. I know! Here, take this. - And Kili took something out of his pocket, a small jewel.

-Thank you Kili, but what is it?

-It is a water-finder. It will shine when near water and show the way to it. It can also tell if the water is good to drink. I don't need it here, and I think you will find a better use for it.

-That is a great gift. I don't know if mine is good enough.

-Have no doubts, Alfred. That map is a rare piece of parchment, while any dwarf could have made you a water-finder. And now about the maps. Sit here while I transcribe the map of the Old Mines for you, and you can study the rest of the maps I have.

Kili went to a cupboard in the corner, and took out a stack of new parchments with maps on them. He gave them to Alfred, and Alfred studied them. The maps showed a variety of places. One was a general plan of the whole Kingdom under the Thunder Mountain. Alfred had never realized that it could be so big. The Kingdom seemed to spread through most of the Mountain, but also took over more then half of the hilly region between the Thunder Mountain and the Gangrel Sea. One particular branch of the tunnels seemed to go all the way to the sea, and that puzzled Alfred. Dwarves didn't like water, didn't build boats, but still, one of their communities was virtually on the seashore. As far as he could remember, all the books and histories he read never spoke of shore-dwelling dwarves. But then it came to him. He spotted many beatiful pearls, and items made by sea elves, in halls of the King, as well as in Akkramseth. So he decided to ask Kili about it:

-Kili, this map here, it shows that your people have an outpost on the shore of the Gangrel Sea. How can that be?

Looking up from his maps, Kili answered:

-Ah, that is Terengir, our underground port. It is a grand place, it is. There we trade with sea peoples, and exchange their goods for our metal. You should visit Terengir sometimes, Alfred. You will be surprised at it's size, and all the trade going on there.

Alfred thought of it, but then remembered why was he here, and answered:

-I think I will, but not right now. In the future, perhaps.

Kili only nodded and kept at his work. Alfred looked back at the maps he was holding. Several more showed different areas, mines, halls, living areas, workshops and smithies at close-up. Most of the maps showed the eastern part of the Kingdom, there were several maps of south, and two maps of the west, but there were none for the north. Alfred noticed this, and was about to ask Kili about it, when another dwarf ran into their room and said:

-Master Brax asks you to get to the main workshop right away. And take your human friend with. - and the dwarf ran off, as quick as a dwarf can be.

-Alfred, it is time to go. Here, I have just finished copying the map for you. We must hurry now. You know Brax will probably ask for our heads to be cut off if we do not just teleport there right now.

He smiled widely and Alfred returned the smile, forgetting what was he about to ask. They hurried down the halls to the main workshop, where Brax and Bofur were awaiting for them.

It took them some time to arrive, panting, to the main workshop. There Brax was already yelling at that young dwarf he sent for Kili and Alfred. With him was Bofur and the King. Kili and Alfred slowed down. They came to the three dwarfs, and Kili talked first:

-Master Brax, the human fellow is prepared for the duty of the messenger. He was equipped with the best that we had.

-Good, Kili, and I hope for your sake what you are saying is true. Akkharten, hm - here Brax blushed a little, and his apprentices laughed behind him - I meant Your Majesty, your messenger has been prepared as proper.

The King thanked Brax, and turned to Alfred:

-Alfred son of Eyral, here is the parchment you are to take to Duke Dunnbarrow. You are to protect it with your life and honor. May Fertin give you strength and wisdom to complete your mission!

The King presented to Alfred a scroll, sealed with red wax, and with the sign of the King imprinted on it. Alfred took it, and placed it into a scroll box which Bofur passed to him from the side, and then he placed the box in his backpack. Then he bowed to the King and said:

-I thank you, Your Majesty, for the faith you put in me. I shall not fail you.

The King showed him to rise, and then turned to Bofur:

-Master Bofur, you will show my messenger the way and tell him all he needs to know of the path he is to take. I will return to my quarters now.

And the King turned and marched out of the hall. Two guards went after him. Alfred exchanged goodbyes with Brax and Kili, and then followed Bofur through the door that led into the main passage.

Bofur led Alfred at first along the main passage, but soon he turned and started down a low tunnel in the northern direction. The area they passed through seemed more and more deserted. They passed many cross-sections, and several doors, but the halls and passages behind them were quiet and unused. Alfred guessed that they were going north, but had no idea where did this passage lead. The air was colder here than in the heated and lighted halls behind them. Torches grew sparse; there were now only few and the distance between each was increasing as they went. Voices of dwarves, and sounds of work, life and merriment slowly faded into silence where Alfred could only hear his and Bofur's footsteps. The type of stone changed as they went. The granite took place of the marble, and then plain rock and limestone started taking the granite's place. Instead of being delved from live rock, passage was getting to be more and more closed off by stone and brick walls. Ceiling gradually got lower, until Alfred was almost scraping it with his head. Even the masonry was not as good here as before, such as Alfred could notice here and there in the walls. They walked for about two hours through increasingly empty halls and tunnels, to finally arrive at the North Guard Hall.

The North Guard Hall was a square room half the size of King Akkharten's throne room. It was supported by pillars carved in granite, and the room itself was also carved in a vein of granite. It had a huge double door at it's one end, and several smaller doors on it's sides. There was a contingent of dwarves on guard here. Several of them were waiting at the Northern Mines Gate, and a few more were sitting in chairs spread around the hall. A large, stout dwarf approached them. Bofur quietly exchanged a few words with him, and then turned back to Alfred.

-Alfred, here our paths must part for now. This gate will lead you into the abandoned sections of the Northern Mines. From there you have to find your way out from the Brigand Hills. Now, lad, those hills didn't get named Brigand Hills for naught. Since I was a young boy, the brigands were rampaging in those hills. They took over many sections of the Northern Mines and killed a great number of our folk. Besides brigands, there is little to be found in the Northern Mines. They were iron mines, and there are no riches awaiting some traveller to pick them up. Only danger. Dark things are known to dwell in some of the passages. Dark things indeed. Here, Alfred, hold this. - and Bofur took out a piece of parchment and gave it to Alfred.

- Here I mapped the path you should follow. Do not go astray! For your well-being may depend on it. And now, give this old dwarf a good hug, and don't you dare not return in good time!

Alfred hugged Bofur strongly. He began to feel some closeness to the old Master Smith. They released each other after a moment, and then Bofur issued an order that opened the gate. Again was Alfred facing a another gate, and this was one that was hard to cross, because he was leaving good people, and a good friend, to journey onward. He shrugged, not daring to turn around to wave goodbye, and entered the dark tunnel in front of him.