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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JoeNotCharles" data-source="post: 5712627" data-attributes="member: 79945">[sblock=OOC]Sorry, thought we were waiting for someone for some reason.[/sblock]Glóin shakes his white beard at the elf and says grumpily, "Thank you for the offer, but we do not need help from... well, wait."  He pauses for a moment.  "We chose Bilbo for our venture because without him, our party would be an unlucky thirteen, and his presence made all the difference.  It strikes me that if you two elves will aid us, your party will be a lucky seven.  Perhaps an even more fortuitous choice!  Yes.  Yes, thank you, I will accept your aid.I'm sorry if I have been abrupt.  I still remember well my captivity in your Elven-King's halls.  It is ungracious of me to hold a grudge; he has apologized to us so nicely, and we are all allies now."He shakes off his mood and digs through his desk. He unrolls a map. "To business!  This map shows the route that Balin and his companion planned to take."[sblock=Map]<img src="http://i55.tinypic.com/2nl45lf.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock]"As you can see, they planned to cross the marshes south of the Long Lake, following the river, and then take the Old Forest Road west to Eagles' Eyrie.  But my raven friend is certain they haven't left the marshes.  Since with luck you will not need to abandon the river and search the land road, I suggest borrowing boats from the Lake-men - they have flat-bottomed boats which should serve you in the marshes as well as on the river, and it will be faster and safer than crossing them by land as Balin planned to.  I can give you papers letting you borrow some on my account."[sblock=Lake-men]To be clear, the "Lake-men" he refers to are the inhabitants of Lake-town, where you are.[/sblock]Glóin follows Hobnob's gaze.  "Yes," he sighs. "You've divined correctly - Balin's companion is indeed my own brother, Óin.  You can recognize him by this portrait, which is a fine likeness.  I am loathe to part with it, in case it is all I have left of him - surely there is only one pair of dwarves wandering the Long Marshes, so there should be no confusion?Balin you will recognize by his magnificent beard, which is forked and silver throughout - not white as my own is turning."  He strokes one forked end of his beard to emphasize his words."Are there any more questions?  Or aid I can offer in your quest?  If not, please start off as soon as possible - I have had foreboding dreams, and I fear you may already be too late!"</blockquote>

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