Note to Barass

found on a parchment in Dor:

The Lord of Dor from the Lord of the Iron Mountains

My Lord Barass, I trust this note finds you as well as can be expected in these dire times. Congratulations on the birth of your first son and might I say how touched I am that you and my much loved sister, Mandur, were thoughtful enough to name him after my late older brother, Dragor. I think that you will agree the bond between our nations grows stronger than ever. As you will no doubt be aware, we have little else to celebrate in these dark times. The Demon grows stronger in Minas Aarda and, with the death of Gildorian last winter, little remains of the once great elven forces which kept the Vale secure. Indeed, we can no longer hope for such glories as that of Malor in the near future. Olga is isolated and the Ruby Mountains are held against us. However we have, thus far, succeeded in maintaining supply through my ancient halls. All is not lost when stout heart honours its pledges in the face of such evil.

Once again, the House of Dor honours that of Findor. Your niece, Liander, will make the most perfect bride for my younger brother Fandor. It will do much to remove from memory the loss of my other kin, even if only briefly. Whilst I realise that you face the cursed Wyrm, I wonder (now that hostilities have cooled somewhat between you), you might spare us Liander’s dowry in the form of arms? Clearly, they would be put to much great affect!

Fandor tells me that the ceremony is to take place on the slopes of Crag- Ûn, below the Minas. Would that one day your folk occupied that tower again – you would command the gateway to Everinstar on behalf of all free Dwarven peoples. Let’s hope that Fandor and Liander’s wonderful day will mark a turning point for us all.

Yours respectfully

Ц Ð ð