The man is a bit ragged and bruised, but holds himself erect. His voice is rich and melodious, full of goodwill and politeness. He stands tall and looks around the company as he speaks.

"My name is Silence Mulciber," he starts, speaking grandly, as if proud of who he is. "I belong to the Brotherhood of the Blue Wizards. Indeed, I am descended through many generations from Alatar, a Maia of the Vala Oromë, who came to our realm in the Second Age and earned the name Morinehtar, Darkness-slayer, for his deeds in the far east. Like your own ancestor, King Elissar, Melian, wife of Elu Thingol, mother of Lúthien, and Queen of Doriath, we are both descended from the ancient Maia and power runs in our blood.

"For thousands of years, my brotherhood has worked tirelessly against the servants of Morgoth in the east. Sauron was not the only servant of darkness who wielded great powers over the minds of men. But the evil he created has deep roots, and I discovered a thread of his web quite by accident.

"Tinya, also known as the Ring of Fury, was given to Balli Silvereye, king of the Zhélruka Dwarves in the lands east of Rhun by Sauron. The ring was believed to have been devoured by the ice dragon Hrímil Frost-heart. She plundered their horde and consumed their king along with the Ring of Power as he defended the gates of Nargubraz, the great dwarven delving in the east. This is ancient lore, known to many of the wise.

"What is not known is that the ring was not consumed by the dragon on that fateful day. The king often wore a duplicate ring for affairs of state, one that did not wear on his spirit so constantly, and it seems the false ring was consumed. The real ring later went west.

"The Blacklock dwarves, often known as Druin’s Folk, fled their citadel in the east and wandered for many generations until at last King Durin II of Khazad-dûm took pity upon them and bade his folk make a home for the displaced people at Mount Gundabad in the northern reaches of the Grey Mountains. They disappeared in the mountains and never arrived, but a single survivor emerged centuries later. He spoke of the vanished Zhélruka and Thafar-gathol, a citadel he claimed they delved in the mountains. He insisted too that its riches could match those of mighty Khazad-dûm.

"Many have sought the lost mines of Thafar-gathol over the ages, and none have found them. But it is my belief that the lost ring is there. Hidden in the depths of the Grey Mountains far to the north. And it was in search of clues, I journeyed to Fangorn Forest when my journey was so rudely interrupted."