[Luinfang]

The night just had left the morning sky, Faruom stretched his back and looked at the mysterious doors with distrust. He knew the tales that were told about them, the fear their name awoke in the hearts of even the bravest Men, and he was worried. The wise are those that know to be afraid when the moment of great danger has come. He felt no need to seem braver than he was by his acting here and now. Fame was to be earned in battle, where his real bravery would be tested, not by words! But he had to admit that the strange, tiny voice of fear was easily overshouted by his excitement.

Gold. Fear. Adventure. Battle. Darkness. Faruom had seen most of them in the Great Battle, where he fought in the army of Prince Imrahil. Treasure was the only thing he missed. Now he had the opportunity to gain fame and riches. No longer hesitating he swung the rucksack over his shoulder, gave a small tap on his sword Ingawen, and went to the place where Falin just gave the sign to hurry. The mighty-looking dwarf frowned at him but spoke no word. A si minnatham dhúath, Faruom thought, using the little Sindarin he knew. “And now we shall enter darkness”.

He wondered how much he would he able to trust those Men and Dwarves, for they all came for one and the same reason: becoming richer than ever imagined. Soon enough they would become rivals, little less than enemies unless they would find something to defend them from the greatest evil in the minds of Men: greed. And the love of Dwarves of all that was hand-crafted would not make it any easier. A huge smile ran over his face when he thought of this. The treasure hunting would not be easy, but without a doubt exciting. And more than even gold or fame excitement was what he desired.

And fear? He had already forgotten all about it…