Elenugeth bounced out of his seat without a moments thoughts, quickly making his way to the dwarf at the front.

Crisply the boy drew his arm across his chest, fist clenched in salute, "Elenugeth, outrider under command of captain Galanhil, 2nd company, Minas Tirith, currently detached."

The brief introduction out the way the boys face once again breaked into wry grin, "sounds kind of fun, theres a tale to tell i guess and one i would like to hear even if it is to remain in these mighty dwarven halls."

Arm still slung across this chest but with great solemnity, Elenugeth cleared his throat, "I will swear the oath honourable dwarf, i will swear friendship to you, your kin and all the dwarves, i will swear on the Arkhand and be bound by it and hope in doing so, one as lowly as myself may provide what service you and your kin require. I ask only that you promise me that such action will not bring me into conflict with my oath to Minas Tirith and Gondor for while i will always be a friend to you and your kin, an oath holds me to my homeland also and if there would be conflict between the two i would surely go mad trying to hold true to both. If there is no such conflict, then let us continue and rejoice!"

It being difficult to bounce much in plate armour Ondoher rises and strides forward to give his answer, his helm held under his arm. The crispness of his walk is eloquent of a life spent in a military family, while the subtlety of his footfalls, much quieter than expected, whispers of experience outside the norm for one of that background.

He speaks without preamble, or the need to clear his throat. Surety there is in his voice, as if doubt is something he has never known. The grey in his hair and his eyes make him appear older than he is, and lends him a strangely compelling authority.

"My name is Ondoher of House Orros, a knight in the Royal Army of Arthedain. For the moment my brother has my place in the ranks and I am free to take service with other powers, while the border remains quiet, to the greater glory of my family and our realm.

"Much I have heard of the dwarves, that they are no friend to the orcs, goblins and trolls which threaten my fair and gracious realm. While this does not make you an ally perforce, yet it is enough to pique my interest."

"Like the brave lad here I too am bound by oath to Lord and King, sworn to defend Arthedain from all who would bring her harm. I have sworn this oath upon winning my spurs and the words I have spoken cannot be unspoken, nor would I wish it so. The King holds my service and only by his word can I be released from it."

"However my folk and my family have ever held warm relations with the dwarven kindred and so with the proviso that my oath to Lord and King takes precedence I will swear to be true. Then and only then will you have the service of my sword."

Ondoher nods, but refrains from snapping his heels together.

Tieger stands comfortably at ease as the dwarven leader speaks, watching his companions reactions to the words. It has been a while since he has been a part of such a large group, and he has never been in one consisting of such diverse cultures.
Tieger looks on curiously as the 2 military types give their, somewhat conditional, oathes, then he too steps forward. "I know little of the dwarven kind, but what i do know is that you are honourable. i do so swear that what you will say shall go no further than this room, and pledge myself to your service." His oath given, he steps back again.

Urthgar waits until a few of his comrades have said their piece, then stands from where he is sitting in the shadow against the hard stone wall.

"I need none of your golden coins, nature provides. But I am curious, I will swear your oath, lets be done with it so I may feel the wind on my face"

His face is solemn as he stands, slightly ill at ease in the confined space.

Tawl watches the others take the oath with interest, particulary the military warriors.

Walking over, with forceful strides he comes before the gem stone.

'I will also swear to uphold your oath, but like the others I will not harm those who fostered me and I also have a personal oath of revenge to uphold' Staring the dwarf in the eyes 'I am honoured to become a dwarf friend'. Tawl takes the oath then walks back towards the wall to observe the others.

Feral climbed to his feet and strode to the gem, neither looking left or right. He paused a moment unsure what to do next - Then he raised his hand and hovered it above the gem, he seemed to gaze deep inside the vast, rock then an almost inaudible sigh escaped his lips as his hand caressed the stone momentarily.

"Done." He said

Turning he returned to his place without a further word.

The man is obviously of Dunedan descendancy, his bearing at least tells that much. He wears chain armour which more than likely has seen better days, Black hair visciously scraped back and tied into a small shoulder length pony tail and grey eyes which stare about reflectling the hard light under the mountains where he stands now. His face and skin are weathered from long exposure to sun and elements. In fact the only thing about him that looks well kept are the twin blades which hand loosely at his side.

The red haired man with the drooping small forest of a mustache, who had introduced himself as Tardka in the Tavern but had said precious little else got out of his chair. His flamboyant gold trimmed red cape parted slightly to give a glimpse of polished rigid leather which glinted in the gem's subtle light. At his side, strung off a shoulder, was a lute. A white fur skin scabbard, presumably dangling from his waist, showed off the bottom end of some kind of bladed weapon poking out from under his cloak. He walked slowly forward to take up his position beside the gem and simply nodded in agreement.

The one known as Rav, a long sandy haired half elf with sky blue eyes, eased himself out of his seat. He stood beside the bard and nodded his head in agreement too.

Magos simply nodded his head and quietly watched the events from his seat at the table.

The lythe figure dressed in fine yet quite sturdy clothes stands up, virtually silently steps forwards to the table, clearing his throat he speaks with a gentle yet surprisingly commanding tone.

"Khand I too have heard of you and your kin, which is why you have peaked my interest as to why a man such as you needs the assistance of a group of mercenaries, while you will no doubt answer my question shortly I will pledge my allegiance to your kind and take your oath if only to appease my curiosity. My name is Merlothrien and by my bloodline I am at your disposal"

As the figure says these words he drops to one knee lowering his head and after a brief moment stands and takes a step back.

As the last oath taker agreed, his final syllable echoed around the silent hall.

With a loud but short lived crackle the Arkhand momentarily froze everyone in an incandescent flash of blue light. There was a curt high pitched noise, it may have been a scream but it was over too quickly to discern. Ignoring the pile of ash that was once Tardka, Khand smiled. "Good, all you who still breathe are worthy of the Arkhand! Now I must tell you the tale for you are all tied to it.” He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by Dakhak bustling out of the shadows with a shovel and large bucket. Khand studied each confidant in turn as the other dwarf busied himself with scooping up the unfortunate bard’s remains.

Once Dakhak had finished the gaudily dressed Dwarf seemed satisfied with something so continued, “The Arkhand is no ordinary gem as I am sure you have guessed. It was discovered long ago by my ancestors and found to have many powers that I cannot reveal to you as there are other secrets we must keep. However, one of those powers concerns the well being of the dwarven kind. This artefact was not always this colour. Three weeks ago this gem was crystal clear. Concerned, I performed the ceremony and was able to gain great insight. I saw you all at the Grey Havens though that day had not yet dawned.” He frowned for a moment, “These past few weeks, I have seen most your faces in dreams. You are all involved, I am sure, but some faces are not present in this hall tonight.” He shrugged, pointing to a dark corner behind him where the scout now stood, he said, “Dhakhak knew who to look for and it looks like he has found some of you with others who’s fate must be entwined.”

He cleared his throat. “But I digress, let me tell you of Balaak." Suddenly the Arkhand darkend in hue to a deep blue. The lanterns spluttered as an intense chill swept into the hall. Unperturbed, Khand closed his eyes and the Arkhand slowly returned to its original colour. Khand continued, his breath still frosting in the icy air, "I will not mention that name again neither should any of you. We will refer to him as The Underlord. Who he was once has been lost in the aeons. What he became few now know. I do, and oath takers, so will you.”

He took a look towards another shadowy part of the hall then, in a quieter voice, said “As legends say Morgoth was banished to the void at the end of the First Age, Sauron at the end of the Second. Only the Witchking and Necromancer remain and their time will pass. But there are evils down here that have not been destroyed only defeated. Wars have raged in the deep tunnels that riddle Middle Earth since we first discovered the enemy. Not all that we fought were Goblins and the now extinct Balrogs!” He leaned closer to the group, “I have seen through the Weilder’s eyes! The Underlord must be the greatest of these beings. He can, and did, assume Dwarven form though few believed he was. In the visions, he has a great power that he uses to corrupt and pervert like the Dread Morgoth. His touch transformed Dwarves to twisted misshapen servants of his own. His will could drive them to fall upon each other. Dwarf killed dwarf and many died before the Arkhand was discovered.”

He took his hands away from the gem but it remained hovering. Khand stared off into the distance before his eyes flicked back to the huge gem before him. “There is a story in my family that Khond, the Weilder, was led there by voices in his head but we,” His serious façade faltered for a second, “keep that to ourselves. I truly believe that if it was not for this artefact then no dwarf would have been able to stand against him such was his presence and the fear,” He looked up at the party with proud eyes, “yes fear, he installed in our race. But it was used to destroy him.” Dropping his head again he said sadly, “The gem has not revealed to me how, only to confirm that he has not been destroyed. I sent a trusted friend out to check the plugs. I have not heard from him for a few days and now must fear the worst as he had reported that his minions showed signs of being active again. If we do not act swiftly, they might even reach the surface.” He shuddered.

Lifting his chin again his countenance was grim, “What his powers are to non dwarfs we do not know but we cannot take the risk of him rising again. The place of his demise was sealed. You have gone past one such shaft in the star shaped room. That black rock or plug seals the hole that leads to the Deeps, home of the Arkhand and other equally powerful forces. That place should never be delved into again.” He put both palms back under the Arkhand, “The Underlord and Arkhand are tied in some way. When it is black he will have regained his might. Should that happen the dwarves of this area will be in great peril. We must stop him before it is too late. No one must know of our weakness. No one.”

Taking a deep breath he addressed the adventurers, “So, will you help?”