"Thanks Grondy, I'll put in back in working condition and be back. Maybe the Inn will because more famous because of its forge later," he said with a grin.

"And if possible please keep my chocolate warm. I'll drink it when I return," he added.

With that The Dwarf left the Inn and went behind the Inn where verily he saw the old shed. Entering the shed, he noticed that it was dark as the only window of the building was covered with a dark curtian. Stepping further inside he noticed that the floor was covered with a deep layer of dust and the small relatives of shelob had colonised the roof. Removing the curtain he push opened the window. The entering light allowed him to see the the actual forge and assess its condiion. The anvil was in good condition, although it was dirty. The furnace was also in working condition as was the anvil. However as warned by Grondy the leather of the bellows was ruined beyond mending and needed repairs.

Taking a deep breath, he set himself at work. Taking a broom from the inn's courtyard he sweeped the place and in the process sent so much dust in the air that one could have thought a small battalion was marching. He then proceed to wipe out all the cobwebs. Once that was over he cleaned the anvil and fed the furnace with coal from the yard as Grondy had suggested. He then set out to change the leather of the bellows. This took quite some time as he had first to remove the old leather before replacing it. It was fortunate that he had had some leather with him. Once done he stepped back to overlook his work. He was quite pleased with things and decided o go back to the inn to have a drink before staring work at the forge.

Pushing the door, Thorin entered the inn once more.
"The forge is in working condition now Grondy. Can I have a cup of hot chocolate please"

Sian had taken her hot chocolate to a table on one side of the fire and there spread out Thorin's shirt to better see the damage to it. She fingered it carefully and and looked at the colors. Her long skirt had many patched-on pockets and from this she drew a tin of buttons, a packet of needles and several spools of thread. Choosing several buttons from the tin she went to Thorin.

Thorin, will these buttons do to replace the ones that were torn off? I've been saving them as they're made of mithril and deserve a special place. Your war shirt, I think, is perfect for them.

I had never seen mithril used to make buttons before either, Thorin. Just the tops seem to be of the rare stuff, possible because it won't tarnish. I don't know what make they might be, they were given to me as payment for work I did in the great house of a Lord of Rohan and where he might have gotten them I have no clue. But for certain they will be better worn by a master Dwarf and wanderers such as myself don't dare keep such fine goods as it's just an invitation to thieves and a knock on the head some dark night!

I would be most delighted to have Dwarvish carvings on my clasp! It will be a fine reminder of the good company here And if I am ever in need of more needles or help with leatherwork I will be most grateful of your pledge.

Sian does a low curtsy to Thorin and returns to her table to begin work on the shirt. She thinks to herself that the inn would be a nice place to stay for awhile and maybe she could sleep in the stable and look for mending to do for other travelers..

'I've got some doors whose hinges could use some repair or replacement Thorin; and how about a new fancy ironwork chandelier for the common room?' Of course the latter would take you a while, so it depends on how long you'd care to spend here

'You don't have to sleep in the stable Sian, if you don't mind climbing three sets of stairs, there is a cozy little room with a cot, table, one chair, and a wardrobe in the central attic that you may use at no charge. Especially if you wouldn't mind darning a few pair of stockings for me; and I have a bunch of flour sacks I'd like turned into bar rags and dish towels. Come to think about it I could also use a new dress shirt as well as one for workdays.'

"I'll be here for some time Grondy, probably a couple of months. I'll work on the Sian's clasp and then start the work on the Chandelier. I'll do the base first. Once I'm done with it I'll have a look at the doors too see which needs repairing and which changing."

"Is, that ok with you Grondy? And why is Ar-Edain sharpening his axe outside? He could have used the forge!"

With that he moved to the window and watched Ar-Edain at work.
"Did you inform him that we now have a working forge Grondy?"

'You want some hot chocolate Miss Pidith? I think there might still be some left.'

'I think old Ar-Edain was pulling the wool over our socks, because I don't think my big toe would be poking out through invisible woolen fabric.'

'No Thorin, he didn't ask or stick around long enough for me to tell him. I hope he's using our rotary grindstone instead of a big rat-tailed file or a tiny pocket carborundum.'

"Alright then I'll go and fix Sian clasp"

With that the dwarf left he inn and went to the forge. There he redesigned the pin which pinned the clasp to clothes and added some designed on it. Thee designing part took some time but after two hours the work was done. Being satisfied with what he had achieved he went back to the inn.

"Here is your clasp Sian," he said handing her her clasp back with a smile and a bow.

Sian stood and took the clasp from Thorin and her eyes went wide at how beautiful the homely clasp had become! The pin was now sharp and smooth and the clasp had a delicate tracery of designs. "Thorin, this is lovely! I will feel so elegant now with this at my throat! The smooth pin won't snag in my cloak anymore now! If you ever need more mending, please let me be of service again." She bowed in return and turned to show Thorin's beautiful work to Grond and said, "That's very fine cloth! The chambray will make a very nice serviceable work shirt. I think your carved buttons would look best on both shirts but I could make a green vest to go with the dress shirt and put decorative metal buttons on that. How does that sound? This project will keep me busy for some days, but afterwards would you mind if I put a small sign here in the corner to advertise my services?"

"That's great Grondy! We are the best Inn now! And by the way could you please show me the doors which are in need of repairs?"

Thorin looked at the clothes Grondy had given to Sian
"When was the last time you wore your special clothes Grondy? To be honest I dont have one because most of the time I either am in armor or in my hood."

"Your amour is quite handsome, Thorin, and I'm sure it would do just fine for dress occasions when its all polished but you might want a dress cloak to go over it. If you like I can make one for you when I finish Grondy's things."

"That's an original use for your armour Grondy," the dwarf said laughing.

"And yes Sian. I would be very happy if you could sew of a cloak for me. Now please excuse me both of you while I go have a look at the doors.

Climbing the stairs the dwarf went to inspect the doors. There were three of them which had to be replaced and the remaining just needed some mending. Being satisfied with what he had seen the dwarf went back to the first floor.

"Grondy, only three of the doors need to be replaced. Do you already have wooden planks? The hinges are no problem. I should be able to create some myself."

"Good idea Grondy. I'll go have a look at the shed and see what can be salvaged. Then I'll go to the tool room. If we have enough pegs and clips this should save us work on forging new ones."

With that the dwarf went out of the inn to find the shed. Reaching it, he found that he could use about 75% of the wood for restoration of the doors. Being pleased with his finding he went back to the Inn.

"Hey Grondy, there is enough wood I deem to do the job correctly. Could you please tell me where the tool room is? I need an axe to remove the wooden planks. I do not want to use my battle axe unless I really must. I hope you have one!"

Sian had been busily plying her needle when she heard Grondy say the word 'spider'. She threw down her cloth and sent buttons flying as she scrambled to the top of the table, held up the hem of her long skirt and eyed the floor fearfully.

Eighteen inches across, Grond?? And are you sure it stays down in the cellar?? Spawn of Shelob, you can't trust them, I say! Some of us may not awake some fine morning!

"I do, m'dear!
Been dozin' in the rear,
and now that I'm awake'n'sound,
Please fill me up to HEEERRRREEEE!"

The Cloveress tried to point to the rim of a mug at the end of her song, but she wasn't anywhere near tall enough, and so ended in a frustrated high note. She glared at Grondy. "Well? You know where! Fill, fill, fill!" A year in the rafters had made her even more childish and irrational.

' walks in under the door frame and stands up on the other side the fire light reflecting in his steel grey eyes and shadeing pale skin a light red, his dep forest green cloke wraped tightly around his fame and hood hideing his face he walks over to the bar and calls out to the bar keep .
" inn master i come bearing bad news from my kin and one of your friends it seems as well."

'Good evening Yuki-ryuu, mind if we call you Yuki? We might as well get the bad news over, should I be sitting down for it or standing up with my axe in my hand?

After that, if you desire a little libation to wet your whistle, you must first sing a song or recite a poem, then you will receive a complimentary tankard of Gimli's Finest ’ Ale and a platter of our snacks.'

'Go to it Thorin, though you might want to hear Yuki's sad news first.'

'We all remember Corgon Swiftblade, when I first set eyes on him I thought he was a pin cushion; he had Orc arrows sticking all over him having barely made it across the Inn's threshold bearing the warning that a passel of Orcs were right behind him and were meaning to attack us here in the Inn. Tis a sad day when we lost the elven hero Corgon Swiftblade?'

Grondy tops off the beverage of everyone in the house and proposes a toast: 'Here's to Corgon Swiftblade........let us now have a moment of silence in memory of him.........may his stay in the Halls of Mandos be restful and short........ To Corgon Swiftblade.'

'How did he fall, did his falcon go between when he fell?'

' sits down by the fire place removeing his cloak and several blades from his person and layis them on the floor next to his seat' " sadly we know very little of how or why he was slane his wonds sugested that he was struck with blade and bow alike though no other bodies where near him." ' looks into the flames of the fire place its light reflecting in his stone grey eyes' " I cant imagen a single being being able to beat him he was one of the best with a bow from grey haven and his skill with a blade was nothing short of beautiful and powerful. who or what ever ended his life is indeed a fersome foe i would not want to cross blades with or even paths. I was sent as i said to bring news of his fate and to in a small way take his place among the guards of this inn" ' looks up at the inn keep " that is if you would have me. I know i could never replace my cusion but i will fight in his stead and for his honor."

Sian looks up from her sewing. I've heard the name of Corgon Swiftblade in my travels. It is sorrowful news indeed that he has fallen!

'Well done Yuki, I've heard of circular breathing when playing the didjeridu/didgeridoo or flute, but I've never heard someone actually sing while also blowing the accompaniment.

Anyway Yuki, here is your complimentary tankard of Gimli's Finest’ Ale and combo platter of Deep Fried Watcher Rings, Bar-B-Qued Warg Ribs, and Spicy Hot Balrog Wings. Enjoy!'

thank you for the meal master Grond its been a long hard road and iv not had a good meal in over a forthnight " takes the food and drink and starts eating as he sees the new comer out of the corrnor of his eye. noding to Grond and thorin " we seem to have another new guest to the in the inn to night my good dwarfs and a fellow elf from the looks of his cloths should we great him? or wait for him to make the first move." in a low voice over his cup.

'slowly turns back to his meal but unable to shake the feeling that he has met this elf at some other point in his travles'

" dam that wizard when i find hem he'll wish he hadnt crost me " ryu mummbles to him self as he sips the ale in his tankerd.

'Okay Ammornil, I'll just pop back to the bar and and draw you a tankard of Gimli's Finest’ and then because the weather is so lousy outside, I think I'll build me a hot-buttered-rum sweetened with a little sugar and a dash of nutmeg on top. that ought to warm up my chilblains.'

'All righty then, here's your drink Ammornil, I'm off to mix mine. Just whistle if you want anything more. "You know how to whistle don't you...? You just put your lips together and blow". I got that line from a magic lantern show a wizard was peddling a few summers back. Always wanted to use it in conversation. I should be free for an extended heart to heart in an hour or two.'

'Sleep well friend Ryu.'

And Grondy goes to the kitchen to put a whoobeast on the spit to roast above the firepit, as well as a bunch of onions, taters, and carrots in a Dutch-oven to roast in the coals, all for the evening meal. Then he washes bar-ware and has a little sit-down with a tankard of Gimli's Finest’ Ale.

( comes down stairs the next morning and places gold coins on the bar for his room from the night befor and calls to grond )

master grondy im not sure what your cooking but it smells wonderfull, where do you wish me to take up post sir?