As the Dwarf was kneeling on the ground with head in hole shouting out questions about huorn-breeding, Teykh Shretl and Zaydike Gandz, the two huorns on security duty, looked at one another and, as one, nodded. The huorns gave the Dwarf a gentle shove, and the Dwarf tumbled into the hole.
Hello Dwarf.
Everything inside the hole was dark. Yet the Dwarf recognized that voice. Something twitched deep in a Dwarvish mind - a memory, of another hole in the ground, far, far, away, where Gollums chewed rocks seeking nuggets of gold.
The Dragon!
Yes
@Drifa. I have been awaiting you for some while.
Welcome to our huorn farm, the origins of which you would know had you paid just a little more attention to the various
court cases of the plaza. It was an ill wind, that court case. Incomplete and unconcluded. Yet out of it grew all the wealth of the Westmarch.
If you wish, Dwarf, you may clamber back out of the hole that you were dropped into and run back to your dark mines to the East.
But maybe we might walk together to the other end of this dark hole? Then, when you have passed by in darkness the illegal Lore that is the foundation of the wealth of the Westmarch and been amazed, perhaps we might discuss the mutual benefits that may arise out of a trade deal and alliance between Khazad-dûm and Orthanc?
Drifa, let me come straight to the point. Would you be willing to design some new Rohan postal stamps? We are looking for stamps that represent our desire in Rohan for peace between neighbours, so basically stamps with the white hand of Saruman; but the tower of Orthanc with a wizard atop controlling the weather would also work, or the king of Rohan on the external steps of Orthanc making peace with the owners of Orthanc - that would be a pretty nifty postal stamp for the Edoras postal office.
What do you say? We could pay in huorn eggs and offer the friendship of both Orthanc and the Rohan post office.