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Thorin's voice trailed off, and his expression darkened as he remembered that dreadful day. He shook his head to clear the painful memories from his mind and continued his story in a somber tone:
"Alas, it was not long before the abominable spiders descended upon us. With relentless ferocity, they assailed our fortifications from every angle, until at last they broke through our defenses. My father, leading a valiant band of men, sought to carve a path through the enemy hordes, but alas, he was overwhelmed and plunged into the dark depths of the city."
"I remember the scene vividly: the screams of agony and terror as our people were dragged away into the darkness, never to be seen again...the bloodstained streets filled with dead bodies and the sickening stench of death in the air. It felt as if hell itself had broken loose that night..." Thorin shuddered and tightly closed his eyes to block out the horrific images flashing through his mind.
"And then what?" the King asked curiously as he listened attentively to the gruesome details of the tragic events.
"Then I decided that I had to do something to save my people from certain doom. I gathered all those willing to follow me and led the remaining dwarves out of the city through one of the underground tunnels."
Thorin paused briefly, looking down at his feet, his expression filling with guilt as he recounted his failure to protect his homeland.
"Unfortunately, I underestimated the sheer number of spiders lurking beneath the surface of the city... The vilest of monsters infested the tunnel, ambushing us in the darkness and slaying my comrades with their razor-sharp claws and venomous fangs. I barely managed to fight my way through the swarm of spiders, losing many good soldiers in doing so, just to get back here," the dwarf lamented bitterly, his fists clenched tightly by his side.
The room was completely silent for several moments as everyone processed Thorin's story, the atmosphere heavy with sorrow. Then the dwarf suddenly lifted his chin proudly, his demeanor changing instantly as he spoke again.
"But I swear to you here today, my friends! We shall not let the enemy win, not while I draw breath and there is strength in my limbs. This is our home, and we will take it back from the clutches of evil!"
"Hear hear! Well said!" the king replied with renewed vigor, his eyes gleaming brightly with determination.
"Now that you're here, Rein, I feel much better about things." Thorin grinned confidently, reassuringly placing a hand on Reinhold's axe and squeezing gently.
"About your father..." Reinhold began, but Thorin quickly interjected.
"I know you did your part, old man. Don't beat yourself up about it," he replied, patting Reinhold on the knee.
"I'm glad to know you're safe," Reinhold said with a sigh as he looked upon his old companion with admiration. "I was worried sick about you when I saw what your father had become. I was afraid you might have suffered the same fate."
Thorin smiled sadly, his eyes filling with pain as he gazed at the king. "I know. But you shouldn't blame yourself, Rein. My father was a stubborn man; he wouldn't have changed his mind even if he had all eternity. Besides, there was naught to be done to rescue him, for he was consumed by desperation and chose a path of despair."
Reinhold frowned slightly and looked away, his expression troubled as he pondered the dwarf's words.
"But enough about that. I'm sure you're all tired and hungry, aren't ya? I've got plenty of food and wine here. It'll warm the heart and soothe the soul; it'll make you forget about all these troubles and woes," Thorin offered, his tone lighthearted once again, as he gestured towards the tables laden with delicious delicacies.
"Aye, I could use some ale," the King replied eagerly as his eyes wandered over the banquet spread before them hungrily.
"Come on, old man! Let's get you fed first, and then you can go rest for the night. Tomorrow we will discuss how to deal with those nasty critters."
The king nodded, his soft brown eyes twinkling with amusement, and made his way to a long, wooden table. He observed as the dwarves, with their jovial bellies and bushy beards, told tales and shared inside jokes that echoed through the grand hall. The tempting smell of roasted meats and freshly baked breads wafted through the air, causing everyone's stomachs to growl in anticipation.
Soon, steaming pots of hearty stews, whole-size roasted pork, and platters piled high with golden-brown vegetables adorned the table in a lavish spread fit for royalty.
Seated comfortably in his chair, Reinhold observed the presentation of the dishes. He was no different from his knights; his stomach was also screaming at the lure of food.
Even though he possesses an overwhelming power, he is just like any mortal when it comes to eating and drinking. The long hours of marching and fighting without rest had left his stomach empty, his throat dry, and fatigue gradually overwhelming his mind.
Without hesitation, he picked up a large grilled pork leg while his throat was constantly swallowing saliva. After grilling for hours over a fire, the thin, golden skin carries a faint scent of honey.
Unable to resist, he took the largest bite possible. As soon as he bit it, the crispy skin broke apart when his teeth bit into it, but an even bigger surprise awaited him when underneath this skin was soft, fatty meat waiting to be discovered. A perfect balance of crunchy and tender! Smoke poured out from the place where he had just finished biting, and fat dripped down drop by drop. His mouth now seemed to be filled with the taste of heaven.
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Without waiting to finish chewing, he took a sip of wine. There is an instant explosive feeling when the sweet and fatty taste of the meat blends with a bit of spiciness from the wine, quenching both hunger and thirst at the same time.
'Will grilled pork ever taste as good as this? Or is it because we are too tired and hungry?' The thought lingered in his mind as he savored each bite, the flavors dancing on his taste buds. Perhaps it was a combination of both the delicious food and their exhaustion that made it taste so incredible.
"How do you grill such delicious meat?" a young knight asked the dwarf while devouring it, eager to learn the secret behind the mouthwatering dish.
"These pieces of meat are already fatty, but not excessively fatty or dry, but rather a combination of fat and muscle fibers. DWARF meat is always tasty, I'm tellin ya." Thorin finished speaking with a large, sinister smile on his face.
Immediately, the knights who were eating and drinking voraciously turned their fearful eyes towards Thorin. Some people even dropped pieces of meat from their mouths when they heard lightning strike their ears.
Even so, Reinhold, sitting next to him, continued to eat greedily. "He's just kidding. I recognized dwarf meat when I ate it." He leisurely took another sip of wine.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" A loud laugh erupted as they both glanced at each other.
"You must see your knights' faces, Rein. Tharas grumzr kura slach hurhurhur." Thorin's laughter echoed through the hall, causing the knights to exchange nervous glances.
Reinhold simply shrugged, unfazed by the tension in the room, and continued to enjoy his meal. "Don't worry, my friends," he said with a smirk. "He just loves dark humor and sometimes even likes to show off his ancient dwarven tongue."
"Please proceed with your meal, my friends. Don't let my joke cause you to hesitate." The tension gradually dissipated as the knights chuckled nervously and returned to their meals, comforted by Reinhold's casual demeanor. Thorin raised his glass for a toast, still chuckling at his own joke.
The group passed around tankards of frothy ale and goblets of sweet mead, clinking them together in a celebratory toast.
"To friendship and good company!" Thorin exclaimed, his booming voice filling the room. The knights cheered and raised their drinks in agreement, grateful for the jovial atmosphere that had returned.
As the night wore on, lively music filled the room, and the dwarves began to dance with reckless abandon, their feet pounding against the stone floor as they sang boisterous drinking songs. Joy and celebration filled the air as old friends reunited after years of separation.
Laughter echoed off the stone walls as the knights and dwarves shared stories of past adventures and toasted to many more to come. The fire crackled merrily in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the revelers as they continued to make merry into the night.
Reinhold lounged back in his chair, reveling in the warmth of the crackling fire and the sound of laughter that surrounded him. As he closed his eyes and let out a contented sigh, a sense of peace washed over him—an all-too-rare feeling in his busy life as king. He relished the moment's tranquility, soaking it in before returning to his duties as ruler.
"Hey, mate, are yuh going to sleep in my hall?" A familiar voice called out to Reinhold.
Reinhold opened his eyes, startled, and turned towards the direction of the voice. He saw Thorin approaching him with a wide smile.
"Of course, my friend," the King replied cheerfully as they clasped hands and hugged each other warmly.
"I've missed you, my friend," the dwarf said, patting him on the back.
"And I've missed you too," Reinhold replied, returning the gesture with a firm squeeze. "You're not alone in this fight, Thorin. We are with you. Together, we'll drive these foul beasts away and rebuild your kingdom."
"Aye, but first we must get some rest." The dwarf chuckled softly as he pulled back from the embrace.
With a confident stride, he guided the king through a maze of twisting corridors until they reached a magnificent chamber. Inside, rows of plush beds were perfectly aligned along the walls, each one draped in cozy animal fur blankets. The room exuded a sense of warmth and comfort, offering respite from the cool air that lingered in the air.
"Here we are! I hope you don't mind sharing a room, mate. There's not enough space for everyone to have a room of their own." Thorin explained apologetically as he pointed to one of the empty beds.
"No need to apologize, my friend; I understand completely." Reinhold reassured him.
Thorin gave a small nod, satisfied that his guest understood. "Alright then! Get some sleep now. We'll talk in the morning, eh?"
As Reinhold settled into the bed, he couldn't help but marvel at how plush and cozy the fur coverings felt against his skin. The warmth they provided was like a gentle hug, easing any tension or worry in his body. The softness of the mattress beneath him seemed to mold to his shape, inviting him to relax and let go of the day's events.
It wasn't long before the combination of the luxurious bedding and the gentle sway of the ship rocked him into a deep, peaceful slumber. The rhythmic sound of the waves outside the cabin window acted as a lullaby, lulling Reinhold into a restful sleep where dreams of adventure and discovery awaited him.
During the night, Reinhold dreamed of a distant past, a time of joy and simplicity. He, along with Thorin and Amelyna, were younger, and life was as uncomplicated as now.
The trio spent countless nights together, delving into the ruins scattered throughout the Whispering Forest. They would wander through the ancient ruins, imagining the stories that had once unfolded within those crumbling walls. Each night brought a new sense of wonder and excitement as they delved deeper into the unknown.
Oh, the forest. It was such a beautiful place, filled with lush green trees that grew tall and majestic above the ground. Every tree seemed to have its own personality, each one standing proudly and offering its branches as a refuge for birds and other creatures. The gentle breeze's rustling of leaves, birds' chirping, and the occasional scampering of woodland creatures all contributed to the forest's symphony of life.
The air was thick with the scent of earth and moss, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere that enveloped them as they explored. It was a place where time seemed to stand still, allowing them to escape the chaos of the outside world and truly connect with nature.
The forest seemed much more alive and friendly back then. The sounds of nature and the sweet fragrance of wildflowers surrounded them as they wandered aimlessly through its vast expanse.
It truly was a place of wonder and beauty, where one could lose themselves in the tranquility of nature and forget about the troubles of the outside world.
As Reinhold reminisced about those times, he couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for the innocence and camaraderie they had shared. The memories of those nights spent exploring the Whispering Forest lingered in his mind, filling him with bittersweet nostalgia for a time that seemed so distant now.
But now, everything has changed.
Trees, once towering symbols of life and growth, now stand as mere barriers in the path of the warring armies. The creatures that once roamed freely in this sacred land have fled, seeking refuge from the chaos that now reigns supreme.
Now, the forest is no longer a sanctuary of wonder and exploration; it has become a gruesome battlefield where the very essence of good fights vehemently against the encroaching darkness.
With a heavy heart and a sense of responsibility, Reinhold knew that he could no longer delay the inevitable. The time had come for him to awaken from his slumber and confront the brutal truth of the devastation that had befallen these once lush lands.