A Toast At Ironhouse Hall

During an evening meal at the hall, when many elders and the Thane are present, Drumla takes an opportunity to speak her mind...

*Durmla gulps the last of her ale, bruises still aching, head still ringing with the terror of undead knights leering over her in the gloaming. She begins to clatter and bang her mug on the table, signaling for the hall to lend their ears*

"Attention fine and noble Clan and Kinsmen.  I'm Durmla Halten, and I may be one of the youngest among our number, but I am a sworn member of Ironhall, and I beg for your attention."

*Durmla stands upon the bench, and raises her voice to the rafters.*

"I've held my suspicions of the Elf-Folk for much of my life; it's a hard-enough trait for many of our kind to shed sealed away from the world in our Halls.  But today I saw the mettle of the Elf-Kin tested, and it is made of sterner stuff."

"I was there when the Ruins at Myth Drannor fell to the Undead hoards.  I witnessed the Elves defending their own halls and lands with my own eyes; shed my blood in the battle, and my tears at their loss, and it is worthy enough of a Dwarven Saga!  Today, I witnessed the fall of a proud people, and it tore m'heart in twain!  Even now, evil festers just outside the heart of Myth Drannor, and there was naught we were able to do about it."

*Durmla grits her teeth, and takes a slow, deep breath through her nose.  In the pause, her words echo on stone walls in the fire-light.  After a moment maintaining her composure, she continues.*

"But we here assembled have seen the fall of an Age...  We here have seen walls tumble, and have ourselves been driven from our homes.  Aye, we bore witness to that.  What's more, we DID. NOT. LET. THAT. STAND!!!"  *Durmla's voice raises to a roar, resounding through the timbers of the Great Hall*

"Friends!  Kinsmen!  Gentle Dwarves and Noble Elders!  Did not Elves and Men help us reclaim these halls? Do we not owe it to ourselves, to the debt of our Fallen and our Ancestors -- to those that founded, to those that fought and died reclaiming these halls -- that we should come to the aid, un-asked, of our allies in their own darkest hour?"

"The Elven race is a proud people.  Perhaps even as stubborn as we!  They have not asked for our help, nor do I suspect that they will; they would rather fade into the Ages before then.  No, if we wish to do honor by our deeds, we must extend our hand."

*She grabs another mug of ale from the table, and raises it high.*

"Mighty Thane! Wise Elders!  I have borne witness to this, and I relay it to you all.  I call for able and willing Dwarves to help the Elves of Myth Drannor, though I leave the call to arms in your hands."

*She takes a gulp from the mug, and takes her seat at the feasting table once again.*

*A number of days later, at another community meal, Durmla stands, and speaks again.*
 
"Kith and Kinsmen, the Battle for Myth Drannor is over for now.  I thank each of you that has contributed in your own way, though I sorely missed each of you on the battle-field.
 
"Through our deeds, we have strengthened our bonds with Myth Drannor, with the Men of the Temple of Lathander, The Coronal and the High Mage, and the Mornmaster of the Dawnspire, who each requested that I pass along their regards, and their thanks, to Ironhouse."
 
*She raises her tankard of Ale*
 
"Hail Ironhouse!  And Hail the Victorious Dead!"
 
*She drinks to the toast, and takes her seat again.*