As the foothills of the mountains came into view, the great convoy slowed its pace. Before them rose the stone gates, towering into the sky, their iron carvings glinting in the sunlight. The dwarf guards stationed at the gates shaded their eyes when they saw the elven banners and wagons full of weapons. For a moment there was silence, then one guard bellowed:
— "That's… that's Mamir! The hero has returned!"
The words spread like wildfire. The gates thundered open, and from within came the sound of hammers echoing on anvils. The dwarven folk rushed out of the valley, gathering before Mamir with shouts of joy. A small dwarf child, eyes shining, cried out:
— "Mother, look! It's him! He's the hero who will defeat the darkness!"
Mamir bent down, ruffling the boy's hair. Smiling gently, he said:
— "I am not a hero alone, little one. My strength comes from my friends and from those who believe in me. That is the true power."
The child spun toward his friends, shouting excitedly:
— "Did you hear that? He's strong not just with his sword, but with his heart!"
A little further ahead, the Dwarf King approached, clad in thick armor, his steps heavy but proud. His eyes gleamed as his booming voice filled the valley:
— "Welcome, my friend Mamir! To see you, your mother Kirarya, and her brothers Necor and Bete safe and sound… it makes our forges burn hotter!"
Mamir bowed respectfully.
— "Your Majesty, we are honored to see you again. You have kept your word, and we have learned the true value of friendship."
The King spread his arms wide, roaring with laughter:
— "Come now! The city and the feast await you! Tonight our stone halls shall ring with songs of friendship!"
That evening, in the vast stone halls at the heart of the mountains, a great feast was held. The tables overflowed with meat, bread, honey, and wine. Thousands of torches lit the hall, and songs echoed in every corner. Elves and dwarves sat side by side, drinking from the same cups, singing the same songs.
Runya, awestruck, whispered as she looked around:
— "I've never seen anything like this… elves and dwarves together."
Ener laughed, raising his cup:
— "This is only the beginning, Runya. Greater days are coming."
Necor added quietly:
— "And in those days, we shall never be alone again."
After a while, the Dwarf King stood up. His deep voice shook the very walls of the stone hall:
— "Hear me, brave dwarves! This young warrior and his companions returned from the hell of Elandur victorious! If even the elves have joined them in battle… how could we, the sons of the mountain, remain silent?"
Roars of approval thundered through the crowd. The King slammed his fist onto the table:
— "We shall stoke our forges! We will forge for them the strongest armor in the world. And not only that…"
He raised his fist high.
— "We will send a thousand of our finest warriors to march beneath Mamir's banner, to strike the darkness itself!"
The hall erupted. Cheers, hammering on mugs, and cries of joy shook the very stone.
— "Long live Mamir!"
— "Long live the flame of friendship!"
Kirarya could not hold back her tears. Necor and Bete bowed their heads in pride. Runya squeezed Mamir's hand, while Ener looked at his friend with shining eyes. Mamir clenched his fists silently. The fire within him blazed brighter than ever.
In the forges, flames roared higher, and the dwarven smiths worked day and night. Weapons were forged, armor gleamed. At that moment, Mamir felt something new stir within him:
A true alliance had been born.
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