The Lords of the Blue Mountains (Part 3)

Post date: Dec 22, 2016 12:35:23 PM

--By Abadumin Silvertongue--

In our third installment of the "Lords of the Blue Mountains" we visit Lord Kandral Strongbeard, Uzbad of Durin's Folk. An elder dwarrow he seems, we have the honour to meet him in his study, half lost in old lore and Khuzdul parchments. I Abadumin Silvertongue could not only meet with the Lord, but ask him some poignant questions… no doubt all wish to hear the answers to.

Abadumin: Uzbad Kandral, what an honour it is to meet you at your home. *bows low* Thank you for welcoming us and receiving us here.

Kandral: Oh, do come in lad… and close that door if you please. There is a terrible draft on this side of our mansion and well, the parchments don't stand the cold you see. Now do enter good master, the honour is truly mine to welcome a dwarrow of the Tablets of Khazadgund!

A frame as seen in Lord Kandral's Study, Lord Kandral in the middle, apparently men of importance to his left and right.

Abadumin: Thank you Lord Kandral, now some congratulations are in order I believe, having replaced your cousin Duinn now almost a year ago, the kinship of Durin's Folk seems to be thriving, now in its sixth year.

Kandral: Oh well, I can't take much credit for that, in fact if it weren't for what the officers of our kinship do, day in day out, we no doubt would not have a kinship to begin with. I am in their debt to the legacy of my cousin and to their dedication… and so are all our brothers and sisters.

Abadumin: Humble as ever you seem Lord. Now those are not the only congratulations I have on offer for you master Kandral… the matter of your daughters marriage to the son of Izbad Byl.

Kandral: Ah yes, well thank you. The zarb, the marriage contract if you will, has been signed. Though I must say, between you and me… it took the old Byl a good moment of time to finish it. Yet no expense was spared of course. It will be a grand event no doubt, we are all looking forward to it.

Abadumin: My congratulations once again, may their beards link like that of Durin and his Queen.

Kandral: Thank you, I will pass on those lovely wishes.

Abadumin: We've been following your passion for old lore and Khuzdul scriptures for a while, and it must be said we are quite impressed to say the least… just look at this old library, that says it all. Where did that passion come from?

Kandral: Oh, it goes back to my father mainly and many of my forefathers in fact… Many of us were teachers and scribes, some taught the princes their tongues even. I was lucky to have had that privilege early in my life as a teacher, when I had the young prince Thorin to teach.

Abadumin: I say! You taught Thorin Oakenshield himself? Do tell our readers more, what was he like?

Kandral: *raises an eyebrow slowly* How old do you think I am? I say! Prince Thorin Stonehelm of course, son of King Dáin!

Abadumin: Oh, I do apologize Lord, well you seem of great age… and well… I thought.

Kandral: Two-hundred-thirty-five I am. I knew of prince Thorin Oakenshield of course, even met him once while staying in the Pony at Bree, shortly before the reclaiming of Erebor in fact… though he seemed frightfully busy at the time arranging some matters with a wizard if memory serves me. But aye… where was I… oh yes…. Thorin Stonehelm, yes…. . Charming lad, will make a good King one day, I have no doubt of it. I came to Erebor when the mountain was reclaimed and King Dáin asked me to teach the prince some of our tongue of old. You see, the young generation at the time didn't speak much of the old tongue, the folk born while in exile I mean. So few teachers such as myself had to remedy that, or attempt as best we could.

Abadumin: I see, and you seem to be doing that still? Giving lessons I mean.

Kandral: Hmm, yes indeed. On occasion I do venture out of my study or the Hall of Durin's Folk and attempt to instruct the youngsters. Though it must be said, my patience is not what it once was, and the eager youngsters often have little patience themselves *chuckles* often too busy with other matters I'm sure.

Abadumin: Talking about youngsters being busy with other matters… there is a rumour that master Byli has visited your daughter Thrandili at her bedroom-chamber window on occasion, was that kind of thing common back in the day too Lord Kandral?

Kandral: *coughs heavily, almost choking in his pipe* This interview is over!

Immediately Lord Kandral stormed off, pushing me aside and shouting at the lady of the house, his wife Buhni, demanding to see young master Byli at once. I fear your overeager reporter might have put his foot into it this time, cutting my interview short. Let us hope it doesn't overshadow the wedding… if that is to go ahead of course.