Dwaline looked up at Avalon is slight astonishment; he did not expect to meet a relative of Nelek. Or even more so, a relative of Rark.
"This would make you Rarks great grand daughter," he said, "Now this is an odd occurrence. Tell me, where did 'Cree' go? Perhaps I can find her and bring news to you. I may be old, even by the count of my people, but I have a reputation for news gathering."
He went on to tell her of his adventures as a young dwarf, how he and Rark would find out secrets and how he had had a way with words to get news from even the most suborn and tight-lipped dwarf masters. Avalon listened to the tales with a reassurance about this strange old Dwarf.
"And so," he concluded, "I met an odd Elf at the lonely mountain. We became friends and used each other’s services. He told me of his wishes for revenge on a Dragon who is thankfully now dead. However, Not many days ago now, I met with him and told him tidings of a most unsavoury nature. Of a Fire breathing terror in the northern mountains. I have come here to find him and tell him of the lords of Rivendel and their orders."
He looked up at Avalon, expecting her to have fallen asleep with his tale telling, but she had not. She stood perched on the fence next to him and peered into his eyes. A few reckless Hobbits who had enjoyed the party a little too much laughed at Dwaline for talking to a bird, he smiled and bowed to them as they stumbled around in search of more ale.
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