Just as the "ranger" had taken his place at the table the door directly behind Dwalvyn swung open, and out poured three heavily armoured dwarf warriors, most likely members of the merchant guards known as the "iron guard", each of them took a stern position a few feet from the tables edge, then a short, and particularly fat dwarf lumbered in. He was dressed very well, covered in red silk robes which concealed a loose chain shirt, it was clear that even in retirement Hrothgar was always ready for a fight, hence the "concealed" knife which swayed under his robes.
"Greetings friends!" Exclaimed the dwarf in a hearty voice, his entrance had not stirred great interest from the party, they had been kept waiting far too long to be glad to see the podgy fellow. "I apologize for my lack of promptness, I've been watching each of you through the window in my quarters" he pointed to the window in the door he entered from "Watch and Wait i always say, it's not a particularly brilliant saying, but it has served me well my whole life." At this point a barmaid approached the table with a steaming pot of stew, once it was on the table the dwarf inhaled deeply "Hmm venison, it would appear someone has a good palate" He laughed and raised his mug to Gramm as a sign of appreciation.
"Now then, i believe you all know why you are here, your job is to warn Bilbo that the enemy is coming, and we would not like to keep our good friend waiting so you must take the fastest path possible. I would not generally advise taking passage through Mirkwood, but I see you travel with two elves, if they are good at talking the rest of you may not find yourself in the dungeons, if not, then you best bring a file!" At this point the maid placed some bowls and spoons on the table, Hrothgar instantly served himself the largest portion, before offering the pot to the rest of the companions to be. "Anyway, here is a letter addressed to Bilbo which Dain wrote himself, it has his royal seal on it so you should be able to use it to befriend any free peoples you may come across, except for elves, they don't seem to care for Dwarvish royalty" he shot a glancing stare at Cyllamdir. "Anyway, it's about time you make some decisions: Chiefly what route to take, and who should take what role, i will meet you on the morrow at the gates of Dale, and i will bear gifts, so don't be late!" Hrothgar then rose from his chair, and approached the exit, followed by his iron guards, however upon reaching the exit one of the guards turned to him and proposed to him a question, the party were out of earshot of the conversation but Hrothgar looked concerned, but he gave in to his companions requests because it was curtly followed by the guard scurrying up to the party, removing his helmet, and exclaiming: "Greetings i am Kaldor, son of Kaldin, i have requested to join your ranks as an escort, i was part of Balins expedition, but i was wounded en-route and had to return, as a result i know much of the way to the Shire, and have always longed to meet mr baggins!" While Kaldor's enthusiasm was refreshing, it was clear to the rest of the party that their quest would lead them to danger, no matter what route they would take....
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