In the Old-town of Bree, across from the famed well, the Dwarf-house is a big stone house, with a wide wooden portal permitting passage into the large cobblestone courtyard behind the house.
Stables for many pack animals open onto the walled courtyard, as does a long warehouse, and some extra buildings than can be used - as they are now! - to lodge merchants, or else to store equipment and such.

Tonight, on the first night of the Fair, the Dwarven family that runs the house - a sort of caravanserai for Dwarves coming or going between the East and the West - are treating all to a fine dinner. To celebrate good trading, and thank the merchants for their patronage.

You arrive and join the long tables that have been set out in the courtyard, to accomodate the numerous guests, from Dwarven heads of families, to simpler guards or mule-drivers.

Vidar walks in, his powerful firm erect, and proud.  In his gloved hand he carries a golden torch.

As Vidar enters the courtyard of the Dwarven-house, people nod and admire him.

Avery old-looking Dwarf, seated on the steps. with a white beard and a scarlet hood smiles and claps his hands:
"Well done, Flar would be proud of his son!"
He continues muttering to himself, but too low to be understood...
Glancing over, Vidar realizes he had not seen this Dwarf here before, but the face is familiar--
--depending on how much Vidar knows of Erebor...
This is Balin son of Fundin, of Royal blood, who fought at Moria, was with Thorin Oakenshield at the death of the Dragon, and now serves Dáin Ironfoot, the King Under the Mountain, as one of his most trusted officers.

This message was lightly edited by the player at 14:38, Fri 24 Dec 2021.

"I am honored that you say so Lord Balin.". He responds, his deep voice sincere.  "It will be given to him, a minor trophy perhaps, but I beat an Elf in claiming it.". He chuckled at that, not being a fan of Elves, old grudges holding fast to new wrongs.  "What brings you here?  If I may ask."

Balin bows before Vidar's praise, then chuckles too:
"Aye, yes, some feel the Elves are not always the kindest to our kin... ah, well, though I think we should have pleasure in this nice dinner that has been prepared for us. And in celebrating Spring! With renewed hope..."
He glances around, and leans closer to Vidar:
"I was hoping to find you and some others here. Some who might help me. In a matter concerning Dwarves... Disappeared Dwarves."
This message was last updated by the player at 16:11, Fri 24 Dec 2021.

"Vidar, son of Flar holds by his Oaths, and is ready to help Dain, King Under the Mountain and his Officers at home or abroad.". Vidar replies in a whisper firm with resolve.  "I can not speak for others, but I know Homnir and Aski are here.  Though I have not seen them since the Torch Run started.  There may be other Dwarves willing to help as well.  If your need is great, and too few remember their alliegence, you might ask Kelda.  She was one of our guides from Dale, and will remember the Reach of Erebor.

Balin smiles:
"Aye, hold by your Oaths, hold by them."
Then he turns somber and looks away:
"For what I wished to come to near these lands for had to do with Oaths-a-broken... and how what is broken maybe cannot be unbroken nor fixed."
He looks back at Vidar:
"But, right now, I came for other disappeared Dwarves. Recent merchants who are gone. And, yes, those you speak of seem like People who might help rescue others."

Homnir enters, having taken the time to clean up, taking extra care with his beard, since the hobbit's pie eating habits had the unexcepted side effect of scattering crumbs all over, and many of them had gotten into his fine beard, and it took a while to get them all out.

As he enters, he nods at the hosts "Sorry for the delay, but I had to make myself presentable. I do thank you for the honor of such a meal."

"Ah, well spoken, Homnir, of whom others" - Balin looks at Vidar - "speak so highly!"
Balin smiles at Homnir, and, briefly passing his hand over Homnir's signet ring, he bows:
"It is an honor to partake in a meal with you!"
Homnir most probably recognizes Balin son of Fundin, of Royal blood, who fought at Moria, was with Thorin Oakenshield at the death of the Dragon, and now serves Dáin Ironfoot, the King Under the Mountain, as one of his most trusted officers.
"Before looking for anything, even missing Dwarves, looking for one's seat is important, is it not?"

"Well spoken, Balin, son of Fundin! One must always find a safe place, like one's seat, before one wanders off!" Homnir says as he raises his flagon filled with ale, and takes a big swill before continuing "What missing dwarves are we talking about?"

Balin shakes his head:
"Long lost Dwarves... that what I was first traveling to seek information about.
I had wandered here in order to explore some, wishing to locate an ancient tower somewhere in the foothills to the South.
Maybe remains of a powerful castle from the time of the Kings.
For I have heard wanderers speak of an eerie blue light that sometimes can be seen even from the Greenway.
Like a star shining above the mists.
No one goes there.
But, recently people have been rumored to have disappeared on the Greenway, between Bree and Tharbad.
A pair of Dwarven merchants are said to be among those.
I feel they should not be left without someone looking into this."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 12:44, Sat 25 Dec 2021.

Homnir nods "I agree, and in fact, I have gotten from one of the merchants in town a dwarven coin which corroborates it. I have it right here." and he produces the coin he has purchased, giving it to Balin, should he wish to examine it. "I have an approximate location of where it was found, and the merchant and his boy thought it was of Elven make."

Balin bends over and leans in to Homnir's hand, to examine the coin-- without taking it:
"That was Thráin's call for war..."
Balin looks at Homnir:
"Upon losing his father, Thráin mourned, speechless. Then, he shouted: "This cannot be borne!"
He sent forth scouts to all Dwarves. Spreading news of the tragedy that transpired. And giving such tokens to call all Longbeards, us kin of Durin, to join in gathering the armies.
He also called forth other Dwarf clans. As the degradation of the most ancient house of the Dwarves should greatly enrage them too.
For three years, from TA 2790 to TA 2793, most all came. Returning their tokens, pledging their warriors.
But not all Houses of the Dwarves joined.
If this token is here, then it means there is a House that did not answer. That did not bring the token back. Nor take part in the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, to avenge Thrór's capture and death at the hands of Azog the Orc-chieftain of Moria."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:41, Mon 27 Dec 2021.

Homnir's breath is held as Balin tells the story. "It could well be that whomever killed the token's bearer stopped that House from even knowing their aid was needed. And if we explore that location, we might find evidence as to who did it."

Balin listens... and then nods, mumbling to himself: "True. Could there be a Dwarven House that... never knew.
Maybe still do not know? Is that possible...
Or are ashamed still...?
Possible, possible..."
Before looking up:
"Vidar, Homnir... brothers. Would you have time to help an Old Dwarf? I thought the two of you would be well suited to seek out information about such matters as these missing merchants of our kind.
What with one seeming a good leader, and the other a foe of Orcs and champion of our People."
Glancing around, he nods to Kelda:
"And taking one who is not a Dwarf along, one who is so young, yet who knows more than we do of various People and Folk and their customs... taking such one as Kelda, daughter of Kolbeinn, would be a good idea, or so I think.
We shall ask her if you think this worth doing?
One the dinner is over!"
He smiles as he eyes the plates of meat being brought out.

Vidar listens as Balin and Homnir talk, considering their words carefully.  "Perhaps the two are connected.  Perhaps they are not.  Either way, I think they both bear investigating."  Vidar states, his deep voice low but clearly audible to Balin and Homnir.  "Appoint a time for departure, and I will be ready.". He says, just as the meat arrives, and a servant refills his tankard.  "If I should not return Balin, please see that they package in my room is delivered to its' address in Dale, and that my father, Flar, recieves the torch and such other possessions of mine as may make it back."

Balin listens to Vidar, and nods:
"Aye, wise words, Vidar. Connected or not they may be, and finding out could be interesting. Yet, the most pressing would be finding out if anything bad happened to the two Dwarven merchants."
He looks around, and lowers his voice:
"It was such a joy to regain Erebor, and see the Free Peoples unite. Even though we lost Thorin...
Such a joy to see trade and exchange rise, the Forest-road being rebuilt, our Folk traveling more...
But, somehow, it seems the Darkness was only pushed back, and is now returning."
As a servant refills Vidar''s tankard, Balin grabs his plate, ready for the meal:
"For now, lets us eat and rejoice!"
Just before slipping a nice piece of roasted lamb into his mouth, he nods to Vidar:
"I am sure you will return, but, if not, not one of your possessions shall be lost to your father Flar, but for this package which I would deliver to Dale myself."

The time for departure will be after our IRL New Year, when Kelda returns to us.

His mouth full of the lamb, Balin has one last dark look, his eyes nearly glowing black:
"Oh, and if you cross paths with Orcs... no need to leave even one alive."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:18, Tue 28 Dec 2021.