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The caves were dark. Very dark. Bali and the company lighted their way with a single torch, ducking and often stumbling through the tight rock passages. "Perhaps these were made by water," Gortek voiced. "A flood, channeled through the canyon, pushed through into this cave, making tunnels. Maybe we will find an underground stream."
"It is certainly possible," Bali said, (simply for the sake of conversation). He did not wish to mention his growing suspicion that the network was purposely carved by the same race as that of the man that had attacked them by the sea. Could this be their lair? It is certainly possible...
The dwarves continued for over half an hour in like fashion. Their torch was burning low, but they still had a little wood left in Durin's pack. The tunnel curved and turned, staying the same width and occasionally branching off in other directions. They saw no sign of life, animal or man. "Its too quiet," said Haenir, and no one was inclined to disagree.
Then suddenly, the passage ended. A rough, stone wall stood before them. "Well, do we turn around," asked an exasperated Dwalin. Bali did not answer, but instead examined the wall. He knocked on it softly with his axe butt.
"Hollow. This, my friends, is not a wall. 'Tis a door!" An excited chatter ran through the group. They seemed to forget the attack and the loss of Kain in an instant. Perhaps there was treasure in Rhûn; just not where they had expected it!
"Well, what are we waiting for! Let's bust it down!" The dwarves began to shove and hit the presumed door at different angles, each hoping that a shining chest of gold awaited them.
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