The Branthan Doors

The Tale Of Branthan of Harad

   From the mysterious far off lands of southern Harad came a man named Branthan Alla-maleek, a blacksmith by trade.  Stumbling upon the dwarven people of Mount Jebul he offered his services for food, in doing so he gained a depth of skill among them.  He grew also to desire the workmanship of stone like his teachers.

   It was at this time that he accompanied Kwandol their king to the last Elven stronghold in Eriduah; the great city of Mithar.  For it was Branthan himself who alone designed and devised the iron wroth doors of The Great Hall, and set ivory and gems within. The fine detail of his surpassed even that of his dwarven teachers it was said by the Elven Lords.  For six weeks he labored in secrecy tooling cunning wheels and gears of moving parts for the locks that resembled snake scales, flying birds, and figures to illustrate The Great Departure's moment of new beginnings.  It was the ceremony that began The Elf-Dwarf Alliance, and a new era of unheard of peace.

  The day  the great Brathan Doors were hung and their locks shown forth for the first time all stood in awe of such an amazing thing.  Opened in the third year, upon The Great Hall's completion was the master Blacksmith Branthan Alla-maleek slain before the very pride of Mithar he had crafted. Cut down in prime of his honor and praise by an envious Dwarven companion named Morclus of Jebul.  For, said did he that no man should ever be spoken of as having surpassed the workmanship of his dwarven teachers. 

   Yet for true peace's sake was he himself quickly slain by the king's very sword! Kwandol disagreed and beheaded the fool on the spot declaring, "No greater gift can anyone bestow than of their own deepest selves and talents for the free gift unto others! Be he of whatever race."

   The Branthan Doors were greatly prized by the fathers of Mithar because of its detail and the great cost that brought it. To this day the blood remains unwashed from that porch. For the huge stature of a man was humbled by the warmth of his giving heart as many mourned his loss on that day.