Chapter Text

I built these tables, glossaries, lists, notes and names throughout the course of this story. There were many documents called 'sansukh notes' or 'khuzdul stuffs' over the years (even one called 'tra-la-la-lally'), and there were many more tidbits of research and language that I collected, which you will mostly find reproduced in the notes at the end of each chapter. However, these were the most suitable to collate and publish, and (I hope) the most helpful to any other writers, artists or RP folks. And so I have tidied them up and reproduced them here in case anyone is interested or would find them of use. Take them and use them with my blessing, and have fun.

Mukhuh Mahal bakhuz murukhzu, my friends. 

art by fishfingersandscarves

IMPORTANT EVENTS OF THE FOURTH AGE

(Dates specified in Tolkien’s writings denoted in Bold)

These dates are the framework of the final chapter of this tale. Please note that the Fourth Age began in 3022 of the Third Age. The Ring War was 3019, and the Year of Plenty was 3020.

4 FA – Alris dies.

5 FA – Sam is elected Mayor. Peregrin Took marries Diamond of Long Cleeve.

8 FA – Faramir son of Peregrin is born.

8 FA – Bilbo Baggins, ringbearer, dies.

10 FA – Meriadoc, called the Magnificent, becomes Master of Buckland.

12 FA – Peregrin becomes the Thain and the Took.

14 FA – Aragorn dwells for a time at Lake Evendim, and presents Sam with the Star of the Dunedain.

14 FA – Gloin dies

17 FA – Thira dies

22 FA – Dori dies.

29 FA – Elanor & Fastred of Greenholm marry.

38 FA – Mizim dies

50 FA – Orla dies

60 FA – Death of Rosie Gamgee. Sam departs for the Havens. Frerinith Dwalinul begins his travels.

63 FA – Éomer Éadig dies (his reign lasted for 65 years).

65 FA – Éowyn dies.

71 FA – Bofur dies.

82 FA – Faramir, Lord of Emyn Arnen, dies.

91 FA – Dwalin (FINALLY) dies.

102 FA - Durin VII makes plans to take back Khazad-dum.

105 FA – Thorin III Stonehelm dies

119 FA – Aragorn Telcontar Elessar dies, and Arwen Evenstar leaves for Cerin Amroth in Lothlórien.

119 FA – Gimli and Legolas build a ship in Ithilien, and then sail down the Anduin and over the sea.

??? – Gimli Elf-Friend dies. Legolas Greenleaf scales the dividing mountains and joins him in Dwarvenhome until the remaking of the world.  

DEEP-NAMES or DARK NAMES

As Tolkien mentioned in the Appendices, the Dwarves have a secret name in their own tongue. Most Dwarves therefore go by another name, one that is generally taken from the Northern Mannish languages (i.e. Gimli means 'Fire' in one of these unspecified Northern tongues.)

This table collates all the Dark-Names I created for this story. These are the names I keep in the forefront of my mind when I consider the defining aspect of this particular character. Feel free to use them if you would like!

BIRTH AND DEATH DATES FOR DWARVES OF NOTE

The dates that are specified in canon have been marked with an *

All other dates have been created by me, and are not canon. They are, however, accurate to all events in the story.

KHUZDUL GLOSSARY

This is by no means a complete collection of all the Khuzdul used in the story. There was LOTS more than this.

I have to offer my endless gratitude to TheDwarrowScholar, whose excellent dictionaries, guides and support documents were invaluable to me. It was important to me to represent the Dwarves as a people with their own ancient and vibrant living traditions, to centre them both linguistically and culturally. By using their language in its proper context I was able to ground them (no pun intended) in the same way that Tolkien used Sindarin poetry to ground Aragorn in time and place and history.

For an even better version of this (alphabetical and everything!) please visit Oakwym's amazing Sansukh Dictionary.

‘Urrel – horror of all horrors
Zatakhuzdûn – literally, “Whole Dwarf, one/embodies this” – i.e. nonbinary, gender-neutral.
Father-Lady - adadinh
Mother-Man – amadûn 
Nârûnuh – My Champion
Sanâzyung – Pure/perfect love
Umùrad- soul
Melekûnith – hobbit that is young
mutûk- Steel
melhekh - King
Zurkur mahabhyûrizu, abhyûrizu – as you teach, you learn
Mizùl – Good luck!
Hulhaj - Sham
Sanmelek – Perfect (true/pure) half
Zuznîn zurmthahor – bad-place forest
Ùhùrud mednu – to enter battle
Ghelekhel – good of good
Lambîn – Underground passage-place
Ukratîn – Glory-place
Nârinh – Champion-lady
Thùragâl – the Darer (You dare!)
Umùhud-zaharâl – Builder of glory
Lavamabbad- White Mountains
Mahumb – Droppings (feces), used as 'Shit!'
Ulganul - godlike
Ezùleg - colony
Mukhuh turgizu turug usgin – May your beard continue to grow longer.
Ugbal bâhûn – greatest friend.
Kidhuzurkurdu – Golden Heart
Shekûn – the craven (coward) Man
Kherumel – name of all names
Namad - Sister
Nath – to giggle
ânûn – the river (man)
Mukhuh Mahal bakhuz murukhzu – May Mahal’s hammer shield you
Melekûnh – hobbits
Baknd ghelekh – good morning
Kulhu ma sakhizu ya izzûghizu, ma mahtadadizu ya 'agulhizu - What you don't see with your eyes, don't invent with your mouth.
Namadul – sister’s son
Mohilâli harubaz hubma  – Horse’s bottom
Ma katakluti, melhekhel – I cannot hear clearly, king of all kings
Shândi – I understand
Baknd ghelekh ra yâdùshun. – Good morning and welcome.
Abbadizu – you are here.
Zabadel – Lord of Lords
Mahzirikhi zu gang ghukhil. – I wish you a safe journey.
Ma mahdijn – I do not believe.
Âzyungel – love of love
Ursuruh inùdoy kurdulu – my fiery son of the heart
Ukrâd – the greatest heart
Unkhash – the greatest sorrow
Adùruth – Mourning
Nekhushel – sorrow of all sorrows
Zesulel – (the) alone of alone
Ayamuhud – blessings upon
Âkminrûk zu – Thank you
Bahyurur - wise
Dijnu hyadâkh ghivasha, urùthûkhikizu hyêmrûr- Trust is a rare treasure, hand it out scarcely
ra hurumizu tada khajimuhîzd ana zu. - and honour those that give it to you
Nekhushîn – sorrow-place
'irrîn – horror place
Balakhûn – power-man
Khulel – Peace of peace
Khathuzhâl – The Endurer
Rukif – side (unexpectedly)
Zuznel- bad of bad
Ataman – breath
Nahùba - heroic
Unday – (the) greatest boy
Undayuh – My greatest boy
Abbad- I am here!
Shamukh – Hail!
Buhû - Friends
Ghivasha - treasure
Idùzhib – diamond
Kurdu - heart
Khathuzh, sakhabizu heden – Elf, look to your barrels!
Ma mahabhyùr rukhs katakhigeri – do not teach an orc to stink
Ra Shândabi! – And agreed!
Dushel tasatizd bâhûn – the blackest (shade/evil) of the black, fast hunts our friend.
Haban - Gem
Âdhhyîr – to gather (dig for) Dwarf-iron
Bijebruk - Pick
Idmi – welcome
Gimizh – Wild
Gimizhîth – Little wild one
gamil bâhûn – old friend
Khuzd tada bijebî âysîthi mud oshmâkhî dhi zurkur ughvashâhu – a Dwarf that chooses to take a wife must guard her as his greatest treasure
Khuthûzh - Elves
Azaghîth – Little warrior
Mukhuh turgizu turug usgin. – May your beard continue to grow longer.
Gamil(ûn) – old (man, embodies this), thus, Gamilûn Dwalin = Old Dwalin.
‘ikhuzh – stop
Bizarûnh- Men of Dale
Zabad - lord
Sakhab - look
Zabadâl belkul – Mighty leader
Zûr zu? – how are you?
shamukh ra ghelekhur aimâ – hail and well met!
Melhekhel – King of all Kings
Birashagimi – I’m sorry (literally, “I regret”)
Nadad – Brother
Nadadel – Brother of all Brothers
Nadadith – little brother
Namadith – little sister
Nidoy – boy
Nidoyith – Young boys
Nidoyel – boy of all boys
Inùdoy - son
Undayûy- (the) greatest boys
Akhûnîth – young man
‘adad – father
‘amad – mother
Gimli – star
Gimlîn-zâram – Star-pool
azaghâl belkul – mighty warrior
Shazara – silence
Sansûkh(ul) – Perfect (true/pure) Sight
Sudûn – Danger (man)
Shekith – young coward
Ikhuzh – Stop
Barufûn – family (man)
Khuzd - Dwarf
Thaforabbad – the Grey Mountains (where many Dwarves took refuge directly after the fall of Erebor)
Gaubdûkhimâ gagin yâkùlib Mahal - May we meet again with the grace of Mahal (formal goodbye)
khazâd-bâhel – Dwarf-Friend.
Mizùl – Good luck!
Kherumel – name of all names (Dark Name/Deep Name)
Barufûnuh, ai, ayamuhud zu – my family, ah, blessings upon you
Namadul – sister’s son
Undayûy – greatest boys
Âkminrûk zu – thank you
Yâdùshun, Zabad – Welcome, Lord
Nadad - brother
Lalâkh – fools

SINDARIN GLOSSARY

Again, this is not an exhaustive list of the Sindarin in the story. I have taken this from many helpful Sindarin-language sites, however especial mention must be made of the Ambar-Eldaron English-Sindarin Dictionary. I thank them with all my heart for their exhaustive and thorough work.

Le maethor veleg a gornui - You are a mighty and brave warrior
Navaer - Goodbye
Fangon - Bearded one 
Naugrim - Dwarf (derogatory: 'Stunted Ones')
No dirweg! – Be watchful
Av-'osto – do not fear
N'i lû tôl  - Literal: When the time will come
Annon 'ûr nîn angin – I give you my heart
Mellon nîn – my friend
Meleth nîn – my love
Mîr nîn - My Treasure
Nogoth – Dwarf
Naur an edraith ammen! Naur dan i ngaurhoth! – Fire for saving us! Fire against the Wolf-host!
Gi melin, gi melin n'uir – I love you, I love you forever
Nan aear adh in elin – by the sea and stars
De melin – I love him
Man ebennig? – what did you say?
Ci vêr – are you well?
Dartho ennas- wait there
Nan Belain! - By the Valar!
Tolo - come
Dôl gîn lost – Your head is empty
Gwaem – Let’s go
Mi van me – Where are we
Boe – Is it necessary
Am man – why
E ú-’ar hired râd - He is lost./ He is not able to find a way.
Goheno nin – Forgive me
Iston – I know
Boe? Am man theled, Aragorn? Man tôg hí? – Is it necessary? For what purpose, Aragorn? Who is the leader here?
Farn – enough
Mellon nîn – my friend.
Amarth faeg! – Evil fate!
Namárië - farewell
Nîn velui a lalaith veren nalú en-agovaded vín, Hril nín – Sweet waters and light laughter until we next meet, my lady.
Tolo na – come near
Elei velui – sweet dreams
Losto vae – sleep well
Hodo hi – rest now
Nin ú-chenia – he doesn’t understand me
Tôl auth – war is coming
Ú-moe edaved, Legolas – There is nothing to forgive, Legolas
Di ndegithanc ne ndagor – we will slay them in battle
I beng nîn linnatha a magol dhîn – my bow will sing with your sword
Togo hon dad – bring him down
Dago hon! – Kill him!
Henig – child
Honeg - Brother
Pedin edhellen. Le nathlof hí, Laindawar Thranduillion - I speak Elvish. You are welcome here, Laindawar son of Thranduil.
Iston, mellon nîn, a hannon allen - I know, my friend, and I thank you
Mîbo orch - go kiss an orc

Elven Names

I made up quite a few Elven names for this story, but I did not end up using many at all. The Dwarves were enjoying centre-stage, for once.

However, there are a decent amount of names here for anyone who would like to use them. Gender-neutral names are marked with an (n)

Laerophen – Tree Song
Laindawar – Free Forest
Taembeng (n) – Long Bow
Ecthelben (n) – spear point
Magol (n) – Sword
Haedirn (n) – Remote watcher
Hathol (n) – Blade
Lagorind – swift thought
Merilin (n)– nightingale
Mithrad – wandering path
Talathar – flat land of grass
Cúdan – Bow-wright
Meneglas – thousand leaves
Síriel – daughter of the river

THE CHILDREN OF BOMBUR AND ALRÍS

Thanks to the films, Bombur is now as blessed with children as any Hobbit family. And so, me being me of course, I had to make up names, relationships and occupations for all of them.

I believe that in the Fourth Age, this family would become especially influential and powerful. Barís Crystaltongue, Barur Stonebelly, Bomfris Ravenseye and Albur all have varying degrees of importance in the story, but the rest are all mentioned at one time or another. You may even remember Gimris delivering Geri's child in one chapter. 

• Barís “Crystaltongue” daughter of Alrís – Lesbian. Crush on Bani.
• Barum son of Bombur, a jeweller (m. Derrís). Four children: Derum, Derin, Banild and Bor). Straight.
• Barur “Stonebelly”, son of Bombur, a famous chef. Aro-Ace.
• Bomfur child of Bombur, a toymaker (m. Zerin). Genderfluid, pansexual. Also answers to Bomfa.
• Bolrur son of Bombur, an engraver. Biromantic Ace.
• Bofrur son of Bombur, a dancer and musician. Demi-romantic Grey-A.
• Alfur son of Bombur, an engineer (m. Geri). Two children (one pending): Garur, Garulf, (Gara.) Bisexual.
• Bomfrís daughter of Alrís, an archer. Straight. Doesn't marry Crown Prince Thorin Stonehelm. Loves him anyway.
• Alrur son of Bombur, a silversmith (m. Enna). Three daughters, Alna, Alfa and Anna. Straight.
• Alfrís daughter of Alrís, an architect. Homo-romantic Ace.
• Bibur son of Bombur, an apprentice goldsmith. Homo-romantic Ace.
• Albur son of Bombur, an apprentice cook. Gay. Later to become Seneschal of Aglarond. 

MEET A DWARROWDAM (AND OTHERS)

I'm not sorry. I love them. This world needed more ladies (and other genders). 

Frís Daughter of Aís

Frís was the daughter of a wealthy Guildmaster, Folgar, and his musician wife Aís. She did not have the height of the great Longbeard families, being only 4’4”. Her hair was wheat-gold, and her eyes a very striking blue. She was exceptionally intelligent, very perceptive and shrewd, but also extremely compassionate. Her craft was wire-working, and she also made strings and cords for instruments. She married Thráin son of Thrór quite young and bore three children, the two eldest of which inherited her blue eyes. Her great joy was her harp, a joy she passed on to her oldest son Thorin and her daughter  Dís (her middle child, Frerin, preferred the fiddle). Frís was killed when the dragon attacked Erebor in 2770 TA.

Dís daughter of Frís

Once a Princess of Erebor, now an Advisor to the King, Dis has lived through the same terrible losses and hardships that so hardened her eldest brother, Thorin. She adjusted by becoming very stern and dutiful, and over the years she has become quite cold in her manner. In addition, she lost her One (Víli) after only twenty years together, and so she had to raise her young sons Fíli and Kíli alone. Trained in history and statecraft and not warcraft or tactics, Dís was originally trained for political life. The fall of Erebor interrupted those plans and so she became a jeweller instead. She created a scandal when she married Víli, a poor and lowborn stonemason, as he was not a suitable choice of partner for a Royal heir according to the Council. Her family defended her decision, but she made a final end to the matter when she responded by relinquishing her place in the succession in favour of her sons. She is not as prone to anger as the men of her family, though she has an abundance of her line’s steely determination and pigheaded stubbornness. Dís has inherited the dark hair and eyes of Thráin. Her favoured weapon is a sword, though she also wields the bow with some skill.

Mizim daughter of Ilga

Mizim, a renowned Dwarven beauty, was the daughter of Mur and Ilga, both wealthy mine-owners. Her eyes are very dark and her hair very pale, and her sturdy and voluptuous figure is the envy of all Dwarrowdams.  Mizim is quite upper-class and she cuts and polishes gemstones. She is matter-of-fact and to the point, with a rather dry, biting humour. Enduring the reactions to her famous beauty has left her with an abiding hatred of artifice, insincerity and smarm. She married Glóin son of Gróin after a tumultuous courtship and bore two children, Gimli Elf-Friend and Gimrís, Lady of Aglarond. Mizim is an expert at the throwing knives, and taught her daughter the art. She also gave her son a lifelong interest in the shaping and manufacture of jewels - a skill that later came in rather handy.

Alrís daughter of Gerís

A tanner. Poor, but optimistic, Alrís adores being a mum, and loves every bit of her enormous brood. She's very jolly and thoroughly competent, and very rarely gets angry or overwrought despite her poverty and her growing family. Her planning skills are second to none, and she is Arda's champion multitasker. This is not surprising, as she has twelve children with her husband Bombur. She is a bustling Dwarrowdam with brown hair and green eyes and a dimpled, cheery smile, and usually at least one child in the crook of her arm. She sings and hums constantly as she works, and her children have all gained a love of music from her.

Gimrís daughter of Mizim

Gimrís is a stubborn and mouthy girl who grows to be a witty and vivacious Dwarrowdam. Her acid wit is most likely to be used against her older brother Gimli. Gimrís does not show her affection easily, and she is generally likely to hide it behind her quips and teasing. She has inherited her mother’s famously voluptuous figure, but her hair is a bright and fiery red like her father’s and grandmother’s. Unbound, it falls to below her knees. She has been known to be rather vain about her looks, and has an automatic habit of grooming her menfolk whilst simultaneously scolding them. Her mother also taught her how to use the throwing knives, and she is very possessive of her set, made by her father and kept in a special glass case upon her wall.

Gimrís is a journeyman glassblower and a master healer who trained under the direction of her uncle Óin. She married Bofur son of Bomfur, and bore one child: a son, Gimizh. In her old age, her brother handed over the lordship of the Glittering Caves of Helm’s Deep (Sindarin: Aglarond, Khuzdul: Súthburg) to Gimrís’ line.

Barís Crystaltongue daughter of Alrís

Born in 2883 TA, Barís is a bubbly happy-go-lucky girl who wants nothing more than to see people laugh. She is particularly close to her uncle Bofur and can usually be seen joking or singing or playing pranks nearby whenever he is about. She is best friends with Gimrís, daughter of Mizim, who is only three years her elder. Barís is a champion child-wrangler and babysitter, thanks to being the oldest of twelve. She is particularly fond of ponies and music, and wishes to learn the flute and viol. She can already play the gittern and the shawm, and she shows true talent at the fiddle. Her great gift is, however, her voice. Barís has the finest voice to come out of Erebor in centuries, with a range of three and a half octaves, clear pure tone and superlative flexibility. Later in life she will become known as Barís Crystaltongue.

Haban daughter of Hara

Haban was a successful Firebeard merchant who traded from the Iron Hills to Ered Luin and back. She met Gróin son of Farin, a young nobleman, on a stop at Erebor and they instantly fell in love. Haban had the bright and abundant red hair of her people, which passed down to her son Glóin and grandchildren Gimli and Gimrís. She was very canny, aggressively competitive and liked driving a hard bargain. It was Haban who first instilled an interest in banking and financial matters in Glóin’s head. She was also an axe-dancer of some repute, and could spin as many as four at one time. Haban was killed when Smaug attacked Erebor in 2770 TA.

Bomrís daughter of Honrís

Bomrís is rather introverted, gentle and careful. A thin, quiet, black-haired Dwarrowdam, her poverty has made her tired and resigned at times. She raised her younger brother Bomfur when she was little more than a child herself, after their parents were lost in a cave-in. She loves her family to pieces and often went without so that Bifur, her enthusiastic and ebullient son, could eat. Bifur (who in temperament is rather like his father Kifur) is loud and boisterous with everyone except her. She was a miner, specialising in copper and tin. Bomrís died from inhaling black smoke from a mine excavation.

Orla daughter of Ara

A Dwarrowdam from the Blacklock clans, Orla is a consummate warrior. She left her homeland in the far east and travelled to Erebor after it was reclaimed. The only Blacklock in the Mountain, Orla endured several years of suspicion. As the name suggests, Orla has a great shock of black hair which she keeps in a tail-like topknot. She shaves the sides of her head to keep it out of her eyes, and crops her beard close and oils it into tight curls. Olive-skinned and dark-eyed, Orla is extremely severe and stern, and her face shows absolutely no evidence that she has ever smiled at all. To the surprise of all, she married Dwalin son of Fundin in 2980 TA. They have three children: Thorin, Balin and Frerin.

Hrera daughter of Frera

A painfully upper-class Dwarrowdam from the Broadbeam ruling family, the Line of Telphor. Hrera is a silversmith known for her small and detailed work. She was wed to Thrór, King under the Mountain, in a match arranged by her father and the Council of Erebor. She moved to Erebor when she was barely eighty, and yet it didn’t frighten her in the least. Prim, proper and careful with appearances, Hrera enjoyed ceremony and tradition. She was never afraid to speak her mind, and thoroughly disapproved of “all this Longbeard stoicism”. In fact, she thoroughly disapproved of practically everything - except her grandchildren. She had dark brown hair and hazel eyes, and a rather fanciful beard with diamond beads plaited into it like water-droplets hanging from a branch. She had one child, Thráin. Hrera was killed when Smaug attacked Erebor in 2770 TA.

Thira Queen of Erebor

Thira was the daughter of mastersmiths Hori and Theki, both Burned Dwarves of the Battle of Azanulbizar. After the loss of her parents, she made her way as a refugee to the Iron Hills. She arrived young, poor and determined to make a name for herself. Her talent lay in her smithing: Thira was the finest and most skilled steelsmith to emerge from the Iron Hills in decades. Her mail was sought after by all, and she was able to count Kings amongst her clients. One of her best-known works was a brigandine gifted to the King-in-exile, Thorin Oakenshield, as a present from his cousin Dáin.

Soft-spoken, introverted, but as true and strong and determined as the steel she loves, Thira is tall, wiry and black-haired with pale skin that has been reddened by her forge over the decades. She met Dáin, the new Lord of the Iron Hills, through her work. He did not fall in love immediately, due to his great grief and his heavy burden of care after the death of his father and the settling of so many refugees. Thira, however, was patient. She brought him a gift of a new iron foot, set about with cunning straps and workings to make his walking easier. As Dáin walked with new purpose, he was able to recognise the kindness that had prompted such a gift. He began to frequent her workshop more often. They were married in TA 2814, and their son Thorin, called the Stonehelm, was born in 2866. Thira was uncomfortable with her elevation to prominence, especially after the reclamation of Erebor, and mostly stayed in her forges and out of the spotlight. Her shrewd husband accepted this, and sought her advice in privacy.

Zhori daughter of Yori

Zhori was a middle-class weaver, descended in direct line through her mothers from the famously controversial concubine of the 25^th century of the Third Age, Ymrís. This was a matter of shame for the family, who did their best to keep the matter hushed up. Zhori was very beautiful, with soft brown hair that silvered early in her life, a full and luxurious beard, and a stout and sturdy frame. She was reasonably well-to-do, comfortably set up, and her beauty attracted many admirers. However, Zhori, a life-long romantic at heart, was unfortunately terribly unlucky in love. She did not have a One, and spent her whole life searching. Her first husband, a handsome young miner, found his One and left Zhori soon after the birth of their son, Dori. They remained in touch, and she held no ill-will towards him. Zhori remained alone for fifty years before she tried her hand at love again. Her second husband was a dashing rogue and a charmer, and he was killed in a game of chance while Zhori was pregnant with her second son, Nori. Late in her life she was surprised by the advances of a fellow weaver, and her third son, Ori, was conceived out of wedlock. Her sons were fiercely protective of their mother, and rather than trace their parentage through the paternal line (as is usual for male Dwarrows, just as tracing through the matrilineal line is usual for Dwarrowdams), they habitually referred to themselves as the ‘sons of Zhori’. She was one of the few Dwarrows to die of old age in the turmoil of the past two centuries, passing away peacefully in her sleep in Ered Luin.

Dwerís Greyswords, child of Gerís

A reclusive, reticent and slightly obsessive Dwarrow, Dwerís was the child of Gerís, a scribe and poet, and Nár, the great friend and counsellor of Thrór King Under the Mountain. She was a mediocre smith but talented in swordplay, and through her skill and dedication she soon rose through the ranks in the Ereborean Army. She was justifiably proud of her skills, and practised approximately five hours every day with a variety of weapons. It soon became rumoured that Dwerís was unbeatable.

Challengers appeared, and Dwerís was obliged to see each of them beaten before she could return to her solitude and her beloved training. She had defeated ninety-nine opponents when a young nobleman, drunk and staggering, was pushed into the ring by his friends. Disgusted, Dwerís left. The noble later sought Dwerís out to apologise for his appalling state and for his friends’ actions, and Dwerís was struck by his sincerity and his way with words. She offered to train him, and so Dwerís was introduced to her future husband, Fundin son of Farin. She often said later that she had won her hundredth bout as well.

Dwerís was killed beside her husband at the battle of Azanulbizar, leaving behind her two sons Balin and Dwalin.

Dwerís was nonbinary, and preferred female or neutral pronouns. Being a mother did not make her a Dwarrowdam. She was a Dwarrow.

Ymrís, Royal Concubine of Óin I

The daughter of a mason and a tinsmith, Ymrís was an extraordinary beauty. Her hair was a pure silver, often compared to mithril, and her eyes were so light a brown they appeared gold. Little is known about her early life, other than her beauty and her extraordinary skills as an axe-dancer.  These two assets she used to her advantage, and inveigled her way into the court by way of her dancing. There she caught the eye of the (married) Crown Prince, soon to be King Óin I. Ymrís was witty, beautiful and accomplished beyond measure, and he instantly fell in love. However, Ymrís would not be persuaded to act as mistress to a married Dwarrow. Óin pined for Ymrís for nearly five decades, during which he showered her with extravagant gifts which she mostly returned -publically. It became a famous scandal, and all three of the main players were miserable. Finally his wife, Greni, an Ironfist noblewoman, took pity on the pair and left for her homeland. It created quite a outcry when Óin finally declared that he had found his One and bound himself to her before the eyes of his court. The Council of the Grey Mountains ruled that even so, Óin and Ymrís could not wed, as he was still legally bound to Greni. Ymris was pregnant at that time, and gave birth to a daughter, Óris. She became commonly known as the King’s Concubine, a title she abhorred. She became something of a recluse and never ventured beyond her rooms, a sad fate for such a vivacious and witty Dwarrowdam. By the time of her death, many were surprised to know that she had still been alive.

Óin’s son by Greni, Náin, inherited the throne, and Ymrís’ daughter Óris escaped into obscurity following her parent’s deaths. However, she was the progenitor of the line of Ri, the last of which were the three brothers, Dori, Nori and Ori.

Bani daughter of Bana

A Longbeard Dwarrowdam of common lineage, Bani was born in the Iron Hills, the daughter of the ironwright Nerin and the weaponsmith Bana. She is hopelessly clumsy (unusual, for a Dwarf) and when she was young she quickly proved to be a disaster at the forge or in a mine. It was Bani who caused the new iron-excavations of Erebor to be closed for a year after tapping at precisely the wrong place at the wrong time with her borrowed pick, causing a cave-in. There were no injuries, but there was certainly a lot of swearing.
Bani was gently steered away from all works of stone- and metalcraft. She made several listless attempts at finding her calling, her efforts including scribing, dancing, cave-sounding and divining stone, before finding an unexpected talent for fine woodworking at the age of nearly one hundred. Bani soon discovered that hardwoods spoke to her in ways that stone had never done, and her famous clumsiness was oddly absent while she worked upon it. She quickly became sought after by the Guild of Musicians for her peerless instruments, renowned for their full and rich timbre and almost-alive resonance. Bani’s early experiences have gifted her with a rather fatalistic, cynical and wry wit, a contrast to her generally optimistic outlook upon life. Short even for a Dwarf, her work has left her with the fantastically hard-skinned and strong hands of a woodcarver, and her hair is usually too covered in fine wood-dust to see the natural colour. During the War of the Ring, Bani’s talents were redirected to weaponswork, making arrows, spearshafts and handles for the many weapons that were stockpiled in Queen Thira’s workshop and the great foundries of Erebor.

Bomfrís daughter of Alrís

Bomfrís is the eighth child of Bombur and Alrís (the entire list, in order, is: Barís Crystaltongue, Barum, Barur Stonebelly, Bomfur, Bolrur, Bofrur, Alfur, Bomfrís, Alrur, Alfrís, Bibur and Albur) and the middle daughter of three. Her hair is the light ginger of her father, but she resembles her mother otherwise, with her large brown eyes and merry smile. Growing up she was often solitary by choice, as she felt ignored and swamped by her horde of siblings, and eclipsed by the musical talent of her famous eldest sister Barís and cooking abilities of her older brother Barur. She grew to enjoy her solitude and freedom, and often roamed beyond Erebor to be beneath the sky. She loves birds, and is one of the Dwarrows who tends to the ravens that are loyal to the Mountain. She first took up the bow, an unpopular weapon amongst Dwarves, when she was small and saw the noted knife-thrower and archer Mizim daughter of Ilga (mother of Gimrís and Gimli Elf-Friend, wife of Glóin) bringing down a great horned owl that threatened the ravens’ nests. She then begged Mizim to teach her. Her skill was not at first apparent, but she worked hard until she improved. Eventually she outstripped her mentor to become the finest shot in Erebor, and leader of the small group of archers in the Ereborean army. Blunt, often abrasive, prickly and fiery, Bomfrís is often quick to take offense. However, she is loyal and unwavering in all her loves and convictions, and is also likely to be the first one to come to the defence of others.

Genna daughter of Gorta

Genna was a curvaceous and vivacious Dwarrowdam with bright ginger hair, an infectious giggle and a love of both food and cooking. Her profession was ostensibly woodworking, but in reality she did not find it interesting in the slightest. Her true calling was making people laugh. It became well-known that if Genna were spending time at the markets or at the taverns, then every Dwarrow in Ered Luin should also be there listening to her stories. Genna could turn her direst tragedy into a wryly humorous tale.

Eventually she met her match, a dark-haired, mischievous-faced Dwarrow named Bomfur. He was a heavyset Broadbeam who eked out a living as a miner. Bomfur was also well-known for his funny stories, and the pair began an impromptu and informal competition in which they ended up falling in love and the only winners were their audience. The couple lived in cheerful poverty their whole lives, scraping just enough together to keep soul and skin together. They had two children, Bofur and Bombur, and Genna passed on to them her love of jokes and tall tales, her skills as a woodworker, and her insatiable love of food. She outlived her husband Bomfur by nearly eighty years (he was killed in a mining incident, the same one that killed his sister Bomrís, mother of Bifur) and died peacefully in her sleep in Ered Luin, still in abject poverty and still cracking jokes.

Genild daughter of Gorild

Genild was a common warrior from the Iron Hills. She was gruff, hearty and rather aggressive at times, and her temper brought her into disrepute on more than several occasions. She was also very fond of a drink and a pipe, and was known to be a fierce foe in combat. She began to rise in status after the battle of Azanulbizar, where she was the one to protect the life of the young and newly-orphaned Dáin Ironfoot after his great deed and his terrible injury. The battle scarred her deeply, and she would lose much of her more adventurous ways in the years following. However, she remained fond of a beer and a pipe, and she also remained good friends with Dáin for the rest of his natural life.

Genild married Beri, also a soldier, in the years following the reclamation of Erebor, and she also helped raise Beri's young child Jeri. Jeri calls her 'Ma' and Beri is 'Amad.' Dáin raised Genild to the status of Council Member in her old age, where she was known as a voice for caution and restraint. Yet her grizzled hair and hard-carved face hid a very soft heart, and she was never one to allow suffering if she could prevent it with axe or with her voice - which was rather idiosyncratically raspy and sarcastic.

Jeri Child of Beri

Jeri is the only child of Beri daughter of Kori, conceived when Beri was only 72 years old in Ered Luin. Beri was an angry, impulsive and reckless youth - a soldier and the last of a once-respected family whose means had dwindled starkly in their exile. Beri’s aggressive and risk-taking ways were brought to a sudden halt, and she was forced to settle down very quickly after the birth of her child. Beri has never spoken of who sired the baby to anyone other than Jeri themself. Jeri has never made any attempt to contact him - and has no wish to be associated with a Dwarrow who would leave such a young Dwarrowdam alone to raise a child.

Despite their tight circumstances, Beri made an excellent sole parent for the adventurous, curious, unorthodox, logical and fiercely independent Jeri. Beri was determined to provide the best possible life for her child, and often took on dangerous mining and border-protection duty for the extra payment. She noticed early on that Jeri showed aptitude for the arts of combat, and began training them with a wooden practice sword. It is one of Jeri’s fondest early memories: the clack of wooden swords against each other in a dingy room in Ered Luin.

It was when Jeri was around 32 that they declared themself to be Zatakhuzdûn (literally, “Whole Dwarf, one/embodies this” – i.e. nonbinary). Beri kissed their cheek and asked how Jeri wished to be known. Jeri picked ‘Child of Beri,’ to honour their mother.

Jeri did not have a head for figures. They discovered that they needed special assistance for numbers to make sense: they appeared to dance before their eyes and they often mixed up their orders when Jeri was working upon sums. Nevertheless, sequences were not a problem: Jeri found that they had a remarkable memory for manoeuvres and strategy. They developed a keen interest in games of tactics such as ‘uzghu ma ziraku (Blunt Battle, literally “not sharp battle” - a game of memory and strategy similar to chess). Even in their adult years Jeri is still a champion, and meets once a week with friends to play.

It was when Jeri was nearing fifty that the Quest for Erebor succeeded. Beri and Jeri together in one of the great Dwarven caravans moved from Ered Luin to the Lonely Mountain. It is at this time that the tiny family began to turn their lives around, Jeri’s fortunes began to change and their skills began to gain notice.

During the journey over the Misty Mountains, the caravan-train was attacked by remnants of the goblins that had been so incensed by the death of the Great Goblin. Jeri, who was 50 and still underage, managed to impress the old training-master Nali with their deft and ferocious defense of their wagon. Upon reaching Erebor, Nali mentioned this to one of his most renowned former-students, Dwalin Fundinul. Dwalin made a mental note to watch Jeri’s progress.

By the time they were 70, Jeri was at the top of their apprentice class and training amongst journeymen. It was not long before Jeri had their masters’ braid, and was placed in the newest battalion under the direction of the brilliant and unconventional Orla Longaxe. Orla noted Jeri’s unusual aptitude for both strategy and combat, and Jeri quickly began to rise through the ranks.

Jeri was also frequenting Nori’s tavern regularly, playing ‘uzghu ma ziraku   against challengers (and always collecting their share of the winnings from Nori, along with a couple of free ales). With this supplement to their income, Jeri and Beri were able to move from their cramped and humble quarters to a larger apartment.

It was at this time also that Beri met and married Genild daughter of Gorild, an old comrade of Dain II Ironfoot. Genild was a Dwarrowdam of the Iron Hills and a veteran of the Battle of Five Armies. Like Beri, Genild was herself an older Dwarf, and had long given up the idea of discovering love. Jeri immediately liked Genild and rejoiced in their mother’s good fortune at last. Jeri customarily calls Beri ‘Amad’ and Genild ‘Ma.’

However, it was not this connection to the Council that precipitated Jeri’s elevation to the highest rank. It was in fact the young soldier’s quick thinking that gained them their coveted position in the elite guard. Bain King of Dale had been visiting Erebor upon a matter of trade, and had brought his young son Brand. Some disaffected Men of the former Laketown, jealous of Dale’s growing prosperity and close friendship with Dain Ironfoot, planned to kidnap the young Prince and throw suspicion onto the Dwarves in order to sow dissent.

Jeri quickly discerned that no Dwarf had taken the Prince, who had been touring the great bustling Marketplace of Erebor (and watching one of the clockwork puppet shows). The escape-path the kidnappers had taken led through one of the subterranean water-channels that fed the River Running, and no Dwarf could ford it without a rope. No rope had been used, ergo, the kidnapper was taller than a Dwarf.

Thus reasoned, Jeri immediately brought their findings to Orla Longaxe. Orla ordered Jeri to follow through on their reasoning, and so Jeri immediately took a small detail of Dwarves and Men to the abandoned ruins of Laketown which still mouldered underneath the dragon’s glittering bones. Nearby stood the new town that was now commonly called Esgaroth. There they discovered the young Prince, battered and very wet, but alive. Jeri themself took captive the leader of the plot and brought him back to Bain and Dain in chains (and in tears - apparently Jeri made something of an impression).

Jeri was made a member of the elite guard by Dwalin Fundinul, and was given a gold bead forged by the hand of Dain Ironfoot himself as commemoration for their deed (it is a little crooked at the base, but Jeri prizes it nevertheless).

Jeri is still rather independent, and will choose their own guard detail rather than wait to be assigned. They prefer ‘interesting’ jobs rather than simple guard duty. At 127, Jeri is in their vigorous early-to-mid adulthood, and is proficient in both swordplay and axe-work. Jeri has also been known to accompany the heir Thorin Stonehelm upon his own work, and is fond of him  - though Jeri thinks he needs to believe in himself more and isn’t afraid to tell him so. To be frank, Jeri is probably the first person he has ever called ‘friend.’

Jeri’s Dark-Name is Id-uskan - “The Perceiver.” They have only ever shared it with their mother.

FURTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST

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After all those words and 8 whole years, I can't find anything left to say. The Road goes ever on and on, and I hope it takes you to wonderful things.