The Old Dwarfs Story
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 86686
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Fred says "We must try to stop Sneed and rescue the prince. But who are
you? Whats this all about?"
The old dwarf says "My name is Hume Boulderbender and I was king of the Iron Mountain dwarves until I lost my throne through my own vanity. For many lifetimes, we dwarves have mined the Iron Mountain for iron and precious gems. Ten years ago, it seemed we had taken all the mountain had to offer. We made plans to mine another mountain across the valley." The old dwarfs face reflects memories and he continues "But then an odd thing happened. The king of the humans visited us. He told me that his hobbies were geology and chemistry. While on a trip he had collected some samples from our mountain. Later, back in his laboratory, he experimented and discovered what he thought was a new metal. He asked if I would be interested in seeing the metal and arranging to mine it." The old dwarf sighs deeply and says "I laughed at him. Who was he, a mere human, to tell dwarves there was treasure they had left unfound. When I refused him, he asked me to sell him the mineral rights to the mountain. He said he would mine it himself." The old dwarf chuckles and adds "The very idea of a human mining seemed so funny that I persuaded my dwarven council to do as he asked. and so it came to pass that we sold him the mineral rights to the mountain for ever and ever. We laughed when he sent his army with picks and shovels." The old dwarfs chuckles die and he looks gravenly serious and continues "But we stopped laughing when they brought out a mineral we had never seen before. When refined, it made armor that was easy to fashion and of a finer quality than any we knew how to make." The old dwarf continues his story "Things became worse. I could not break the contract, and all efforts to locate metal and gems in other mountains failed. It looked as though we would be forced to leave the place that had been our home for centuries. My people began to turn away at the sight of me. It was then that my eyesight began to fail. Sneed called it an omen and began his plot to overthrow my rule." The old dwarfs face turns to a smile and he says "Then the king made us an offer. If we would stay and mine the metal for him, one fourth of it would be ours. We were also made the Kings Guard, protecting the kingdom and the metal!" The old dwarf says "Some thought it an honorable bargain and were happy to remain in their homes. Others, stirred up by Sneed, said ALL metals belonged to dwarves and to settle for less was an insult! They said that I had sold their birthright and turned them into the slaves of men. In vain, I reminded them that the council had ALL voted." The old dwarf then says "When the king died...and some whisper that it was no accident...Sneed began saying that now, before the prince could be crowned, was the time for things to change. I woke one morning to find my son Bork imprisoned and Sneed leading MY army." The old dwarf begins to wind down and says "Not all agree with Sneed, but they fear him. Terrible things happen to those who oppose him. I am NOT afraid of him, but my eyesight has failed and I can do nothing to stop him without help." Fred says "But what can I do?" The old dwarf says "You can help me free Bork. The army will follow him and maybe he can stop Sneed. Most dwarves have honor. They do not break their word or kill the sons of kings. Please, I beg of you, help me"
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sneakypreacher
5/26/2009 3:20:02 AM
Extending Enabled
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