Second letter from poor Ori who really, really wants to be chosen by Thorin to join the Quest for Erebor.
Translation ....
31st March 2941 (3rd Age)
Halls of Ered Luin.
Dear Mulubinba,
I’m feeling tired and sore and miserable tonight. Today Nori made me work at the anvil for four hours, then run up and down the steep paths inside the mountain for an hour. Not happy with that, we had to do some wrestling training with Dori as referee. Nori repeatedly tossed me over his shoulder so that I kept landing flat on my back. The worst of it was that Kili and Fili arrived to see me tossed for the third time, and they just stood and laughed at me. I felt like hiding, but Balin told me to hold my head up high and not let them see that I felt defeated. I managed to slip a punch under Nori’s guard, which made me feel a little better, but I would have loved to have punched Fili and Kili instead.
After that, I was so hungry I crept down to the kitchens to see if I could find something good to eat. (I needed a treat). Grikka, one of the women who works there has a soft spot for me – she has six sons of her own, big strong dwarves, but she always has a treat for me particularly if I show her my drawings. I was sitting eating seed cakes, buttered scones and drinking ale when I heard three dwarf maidens giggling and sighing. I looked up and too late I saw them curtseying to Thorin. Of all times for him to come to the kitchens Mulubinba! I wished the hall floor had swallowed me up.
“So, you think that reading and eating will make you strong enough to fight a dragon, Ori, younger brother of Nori?”
“No my Lord … I was taking a quick rest merely” says I.
“If I deem you fit to accompany me on the Quest, rest will be scarce, Ori! You will come with me now and show me how you wield a sword.”
There was no getting out of it – I had a two-hour swordsmanship lesson with him. Nori had taught me well however. I may not have any aptitude with his knives, but I don’t think I did too badly with the sword. Thorin of course got past my guard on several occasions, but I don’t think he was displeased with my progress. Kili and Fili however thought I would make good orc meat. I’m happy to say Thorin glowered at them and told them to go about their business.
Thorin is preparing to journey to meet with some of our kin to see if they will help him reclaim Erebor. I have therefore two more weeks to prove to him that I can be useful as he will set out after that. (Much to the dismay of several of the dwarf maidens who have hopes of winning his favours). He will meet the Company of Dwarves somewhere in The Shire. (I don’t know why he picked that place, but the food would be good). So far Kili, Fili, Balin, Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur, my brothers Nori and Dori, and Bombur (!) have all been chosen to go. I hope I can be battle-ready in time!
Ori