Zurri's Folk
Zurri was to leave his home, The Lonely Mountain, and ride west for Bree-Land. He was doing so in order to see his ailing father, Yurri, one last time, and bid him a fond farewell. Embarking on this quest meant that, for the duration of his travel, he would have to part with his great love, Tahalda, and his young children; Biftar, Bralin, Bumber, and the ever mischevious, Hoin.
That's not to say he would be alone on the road and in the wilds, however. For this trip, he required a different family, a resolute company of brave dwarves. These companions were named Balthnar, Boffnar, Ungar, Hroldolf, Doin, Glomgrim, Barkgrom, and last but not least, Alvar the minstrel. Zurri had arranged for each of them to meet him a ways beyond Erebor, and together they did assemble in the open plain. The Lonely Mountain towered on the horizon as a beacon of hope behind their meet.
Mounted on his large, bronze-coated mountain goat, Zurri smiled and did hail each of his friends, all of whom were mounted on similar steeds of the blonde, brown and black variety. Nevertheless, the other dwarves hailed Zurri warmly in kind, even dismounting to clasp hands with, and of course playfully headbutt, the son of Yurri. Once these rowdy greetings were over, off the fellowship did set under the group moniker of 'Zurri's Folk', barking out laughter as they bantered and rode on. All were young and raring for adventure, except for Alvar, who had grown old and weary of late - but his loyalty and respect for Zurri won out, and so he joined the company with only some small measure reluctance. They were all bound for Bree-Land with a wealthy supply of exuberance.
Over much of Middle-Earth they rode, splashing through streams and rivers, winding over snowcapped mountains and through wide open ranges. When in lands inhabited by the menfolk, they did stop in their settlements, relieving them off much of their food and ale before resting themselves and their large mountain goats. In the dominion of elves, savages and goblins, they retired for the evenings in woodland, sleeping always with one eye open. When time found him, Zurri would send letters back to The Lonely Mountain, informing his family of the journey and how the company fared. He'd also inform them of where the fellowship would next rest so that they might reply on time, which they always did. The birds carried these messages in timely fashion, and the stars did seem to align as the family forged words of comfort and healing, and sent them soaring across the world in the claws of ravens.
All was well for weeks. Trouble sent their way was easily dispatched, for the small raiding parties of bandits and roaming goblins were easily slain by the readied dwarrows. Tahalda was supportive of Zurri's venture and she said as much via her letters, and always she reminded the young dwarf that though he felt great guilt in leaving her and their children for the now, soon enough he would return, and he and they would live beautiful, bountiful lives under the mountain.
Unfortunately, neither of them yet understood just how wrong she was...
