'Gandalf has come to Skarháld with a small band of Longbeards from the Lonely Mountain. Even Hrostyr has come! He is the personal guard of my father the king, and it is most unusual to see him so far from the royal seat.

'Why have they come here, you ask? They told me of the two purposes that brought them hither. First, to stand with us against the dangers of the Ered Mithrin, no matter how fearsome. And second, to deliver this!'

Durin brandishes the weapon in his hand, and his voice is heavy with emotion.

'This is the Red Axe, passed down from ancient days and wielded by my grandsire Dáin Ironfoot in many battles. When I came here against my father's command, I thought it would never be mine to wield. But Hrostyr says it is not so, and he relayed to me my father's words. \qDurin,\q I am told he said, \qWhen you disobeyed my command on the edge of the Dale-lands, I was moved to anger and spoke words I am shamed to remember. My counsellors told me there was honour in your actions, but I did not see it.\q

'\qDurin,\q the message continued, \qWhen I consider the history of the Longbeards, I see that no one can choose the times that will test him. I sought to shield you from a dangerous world, my son, but that was a father's ambition, and not the way of a king. Wield this Red Axe on behalf of our people, and when you return to the Lonely Mountain on the other side of many victories, all shall know you are fit to be King Under the Mountain after me. Go, my son! The Red Axe is yours!\q

'My heart swells to hear of my father's confidence, ${PLAYER}! I will wield the Red Axe on behalf of both my own people and the Zhélruka!'