The tavern falls silent, all eyes fixed on the young woman standing in the doorway, her breath ragged. Her face, framed by a tangle of dark curls, is etched with worry. Elara steps forward, her movements graceful yet determined, and places a reassuring hand on the woman's arm. "Tell us more about your brother," she says gently, her eyes steady and kind. The woman takes a deep breath, her gaze shifting from face to face, as if seeking solace in their collective presence. "His name is Joren," she begins, her voice slightly trembling. "He went to the mines this morning, very early, as the sun was rising. It's his job, you see, to check for signs of collapse in the old tunnels. But he hasn't returned." Her words come out hastily, a torrent of barely controlled fear. "The mines," Thorbek reflects, scratching his beard thoughtfully. "They've been abandoned for years, haven't they?" His voice is hoarse, but with a touch of understanding; he knows the weight of past tragedies in the mines. The young woman nods, her eyes filled with unshed tears. "Yes, but some of the miners still go there, hoping to find veins that others may have missed. It's dangerous, I know, but..." She stops, her voice choked with emotion. Pippin, ever optimistic, approaches, his small body overflowing with energy. "And when did you last hear from him? Any idea where he might be?" he asks, his tone light but serious. "Just before noon," she replies, clasping her hands. "He said he was going to check the lower tunnels today. That's all I know." Groth, who had remained silent until now,
searched the old tunnels for any signs of collapse. "But he didn't come back." Her words come out hurriedly, a torrent of barely contained fear. "The mines," Thorbek reflects, scratching his beard thoughtfully. "They've been abandoned for years, haven't they? I still go there, hoping to find veins that others may have missed. It's dangerous, I know, but…" She stops, her voice choked. Pippin, ever optimistic, approaches, his small body overflowing with energy. "And when did you last hear from him? Any idea where he might be?" he asks, his tone light but serious. "Just before noon," she replies, clenching her hands. "He said he'd check the lower tunnels today. That's all I know." Groth, who has remained silent until now, meets her gaze with steady calm. "Lower tunnels," he repeats, his voice a low, firm rumble. "We will find him." His determination is strong.
Elara's eyes gleam with gentle curiosity as she turns to the young woman. "Anything else you remember? Anything he said or did before he left?" His voice is soft, a soothing balm to the woman's frayed nerves. The woman thinks for a moment, frowning in concentration. "He seemed... distracted," she admits, almost to herself. "Joren is usually so focused, but this morning he was different—like he had something on his mind. He didn't say much, just that he needed to check an area lower down than usual. He didn't want to worry me, but I could tell something was wrong." Thorbek nods, understanding the silent burden of unspoken concerns. "Did he mention anything about the mine itself? Strange noises, new cracks, anything unusual?" he asks, leaning slightly forward. The woman shakes her head, her eyes clouded with uncertainty. "No, nothing like that. Just that the lower tunnels hadn't been checked for a while. He said it was important to make sure everything was safe down there." Pippin, ever optimistic, gives the woman a reassuring smile. "We'll find him," he promises, his voice bright and hopeful. "And we'll bring him back safe and sound."
The woman shakes her head, her eyes clouded with uncertainty. "No, nothing like that. It's just that the lower tunnels hadn't been checked for a while. He said it was important to make sure everything was safe down there." Pippin, ever optimistic, gives the woman a reassuring smile. "We'll find him," he promises, his voice bright and hopeful. "And we'll bring him back safe and sound." Groth, silent but attentive, nods in agreement. His presence is a silent guarantee, a solid rock amidst the storm of worry surrounding them. As the group prepares to leave, the heat of the tavern fades behind them, replaced by the cool night air. The village of Elderglen rests under a blanket of stars, the moon casting a soft glow on the cobblestone streets. The adventurers walk with purpose, their footsteps echoing softly in the stillness of the night. Each of them carries a piece of the woman's story, determined to discover the truth and bring Joren home.