Lament for the Passage

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“During the Codominium, Sindarin and Khuzdul artisans freely exchanged knowledge, and their skills complemented each other. Several friendships between the races developed during this time. The most famous is that between the elf, Alorin Tolariel, and the dwarf, Raldir Farizhald.”

Alorin and Raldir were weaponcrafters of fabulous skill and they made many blades of amazing strength and sharpness. Their quest was to duplicate the Kyn-Assard, the fabled Earthmaster sword possessed by the Khuzan King of Azadmere. Although they failed in this, as generations before them had, and generations after them would, their weapons surpassed all but the Kyn-Assard itself.

After Aranath’s renunciation of Hârnic sovereignty, the Khuzdul were consumed with wrath. Only Raldir Farizhald, alone among the dwarves, remained at Pesino, dwelling in the house of Alorin. But although their friendship was firm, It was marred by sorrow at the parting of their folks. For many Sindarin, including Alorin’s kin, had left Kèthîra for the Blessed Realm, and the stony hearts of the Khuzdul were closed by anger.

At last Alorin could bear the grief no longer, and he resolved to join his kin in the Blessed Realm. Raldir wept, and said to Alorin:

“Is this the final parting of our two folk? I have long cherished the hope that our people would again dwell together in respect and love. But I fear that if we part, then all hope is gone.”
 

And Alorin answered:

“Hope is indeed dead, friend Raldir, and no deed of ours can give it life again. I deem that the roads of Khuzdul and Sindar have forever parted. The world belongs now to man, and our folk are diminishing. We become the stuff of tales men tell their children at night. Perchance we might withstand this mannish tide a time, but I do not foresee an end to it. You are blessed by mortality, which protects you from the hardness of coming days. Alas, I am not so blessed.”
 

And seeing Raldir weep, Alorin continued:

“Let us make a last tribute to our art, to show that even in its dying embers, the friendship of Sindar and Khuzdul was beyond measure.”
 

So they worked long days, and forged a blade of might that glittered with enchanted power. This sword they called Firm Heart, and they hid it in the deep reaches of Pesino, there to lie untouched as a symbol of the friendship that had once flourished between the two peoples.

When this was done, Raldir accompanied Alorin to Ulfshafen, and there the elf took ship for the Blessed Realm. Raldir's heart was heavy with grief, and he spoke his wish to follow Alorin to the realm of Siem, but the elf said:

“That is not your path, Raldir Farizhald. Your way lies among your people. Return to the mountain halls of Azadmere and let none forget that elf and dwarf were once friends.”
 

Raldir made his sad way to Azadmere and took up residence among his kinfolk. There he prospered, and was high in the favor of the dwarven king. But never did he forget the friendship of Alorin, nor did he allow his kin to forget. His descendants yet dwell in the halls of Azadmere where they are the King’s armourers, and though twelve centuries have passed, among them the name of Alorin Tolariel is still spoken with honor.

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