Keldorn has informed the party of Ozzy's newest irrational act: that is,
the Elf has killed two guards and now runs amock in the dungeon-level of
the stronghold.  For this, Keldorn has promised, he is to die, and the
others might very well join him in his fate.  The thain storms out of the
cell block, leaving the nearly-condemned party with their depressing
thoughts. 

Tasencia:  (sighs deeply) I can't believe this.  He must be a doppleganger. 
  No Elf would subject the rest of us to this humilaition.  I apologize,
  friends.  I thought I had convinced him to at least give us an opportunity
  to redeem ourselves, but alas, I think the muses have a different story
  for us.
Ajax:  (trying to cheer her up)  Hey, it's not your fault.  Who knows what
  Ozzy was thinking?  Who knows _if_ Ozzy was thinking?
Alenniel:  Good point.
Tasencia:  Thanks Ajax.  I think we've all seen that rational thought is not 
  one of his strengths.
Ajax:  Maybe Ozzy does know something about the gems.  After all, he was 
  the one who had the spell to unlock the chest.
Greythur:  Oh, I don't know about that....  Ozzy's reckless and wild at
  times, but I don't think he'd jeopardize us all with something as
  foolish as taking gems from a powerful dwarven thain.
Autumn:  Yeah, he's foolhardy, but he's smart.  At least, I thought he was
  before all this happened....
Eagle:  (still sleeping) No mom, I'm full... I can't eat any more.... 
  *snore*
Ajax:  Hey, what's a doubleganger?
Tasencia:  Rumored to be a mythical creation, the doppleganger is a being 
  that can change form at will to appear to be someone else.  I was just 
  musing with the idea that Oz was someone else.  Unfortunately, I don't
  think I am right.  
Brianna:  At this point, I don't know what's worse: for him to have been
  replaced by a crazed shapeshifting monster, or for him to actually _be_
  crazy himself.
Tasencia:  He surely has us in a bind though, whatever the case.
Autumn:  And he had damn well better find a way to get us out of it,
  because if I die because of his actions, I'm gonna haunt him, whatever he
  is....
Ajax:  Uh, I wouldn't be countin' on Ozzy to get us out of trouble right now.  
  Well, that goes for anytime really, but 'specially not right now.
Autumn:  Then he's going to have to deal with one very pissed off ghost
  following him about for however long he lives.
Tasencia:  Judging from past experience, that might not be too long.
Brianna:  (frustrated by Tasencia's even tone) Thanks for the encourage-
  ment!  I feel much better about it all now!
Greythur:  Alright, everyone, I know we're all upset about this--
Eagle:  (talking in his sleep) Gold, silver, bronze, copper... it's all
  mine.... *snore*
Greythur:  --er... some moreso than others... but all we can do is wait
  this out and pray for the best.  I'm certain that the Wanderer will smile
  upon us on the morrow.
Tasencia:  Well-said, Greythur.  Likewise, I am positive that Rao's favor
  is with us, and all shall resolve in a logical and reasonable
  manner in the end.
Ajax:  I wonder if Keldorn will remember my appointment?
Autumn:  Maybe you can try to calm Keldorn down tomorrow.  Hopefully.  
  Doubtfully.
Ajax:  Don't worry.  I can set him straight.

The night is passed in restless anticipation, but when the guards return
to the cell block in the morning (at least, what you assume to be the
morning), you are all immediately awake and alert.  The jailer is with
them, of course, but this time the guards which accompany him are armored
in chainmail, their heads protected by shining open-faced helms, and they
carry large battle-axes (though none is nearly as large as Rimli's axe) in
place of the short swords they had on previous visits. 

Ploppy:  (unlocks Ajax and Brianna's cell) Alrigh', you.  Time for that
  lock-picking tongue o' yers to talk t' th' thain.
Eagle:  (rubbing his eyes) Hey, that's _my_ lock-picking tongue!
Ploppy:  Ah, wha's th' dif'rence?  Yer both 'alflings.
Ajax:  (cautiously exiting his cell) Were circumstances different, sir,
  I would make you regret that insult.
Ploppy:  Aye, there'd be some regrettin' goin' on, but I wouldna be doin'
  it. (he claps a pair of manacles on Ajax's wrists, and a guard grabs
  each arm)
Ajax:  (finds himself being carried out of the cell block, a few inches
  above the ground) Like I said, folks, don't worry about a thing.  Mighty
  Ajax has it all under control. (the door slams shut behind him)
Alenniel:  I'd feel a lot better about that if I'd ever seen him have _any-
  thing_ under control.

You're carried through a number of hallways and doors, a few of which are
locked, until you at last arrive at the final doorway.  All through the
passages of the stronghold's underbelly, you've seen dwarven warriors
standing guard, dressed in finely-crafted mail and armed with a variety of
dwarvish weapons.  The last door you pass through, though, leads to only a
small room, some 20' square, and here you are finally returned to the
floor.  It doesn't seem to be because the guards tired of carrying you,
however; they don't seem to be tired in the least. 

On the far side of this room is another closed door, with Brod sitting
bound and gagged in a chair beside it.  Some ten feet away is Keldorn, who
has apparently been pacing, but stops and takes a seat when you enter. 
Beside him is a long table, and upon it is all of the equipment which was
taken from you when you were imprisoned. 

Keldorn:  (makes a motion to the guards to show Ajax to the chair in
  front of him)
dwarven guards:  (do that thing, roughly)
Brod:  (wiggles his ear in greeting) Mmf.
Keldorn:  I will be honest with you, halfling.  My concern is now less with
  the affrontery of the stolen gems than it is with your friend's obvious
  lack of respect for our clan and his murderous acts.
Ajax:  I can understand your concern, your highness.
Keldorn:  But you know nothing of his actions, of course.  I would question
  you about the gems, but also about your Elven companion.
Ajax:  Um...where should I start, your highness?  
Keldorn:  Start where you will.  It is of little consequence to me for the
  time being.
Ajax:  My name is Willemmon Tangleburr the Fifth, Esquire of the Briarhill
  Tangleburrs. (he stops, stands, and quickly bows, then sits down once
  more) Eagle's also from there, but he's an Underhill.  The rest of my
  friends I met just recently, but they're all pretty good folk despite this 
  little misunderstanding.
Keldorn:  Misunderstanding?  You have a gift for understatement.
Ajax:  Except well, Ozzy, um... he's not... well, you've seen him.  I can't
  make excuses for him.  I don't know what he's thinking.
Keldorn:  That, at least, is a strange comfort.  It is good to know that his
  madness is not shared by the rest of you.  
Ajax:  (ruffling his hair nervously)  We came here with the best intentions.
  I mean it's my fault we're here at all.
Keldorn:  _Your_ fault?  In what way?  
Ajax:  After we got the chest from the trolls, um, you heard about that 
  already.  Ozzy used some kind of magic to undo the lock, and then with 
  everybody there, I opened the lid myself so I know there were only the
  twenty stones inside.  That's when we read the note and found out what
  the gems were really for.  And then I... I was the one who said we should 
  bring the stones back to the Stonehammers, back to you.  And that wasn't 
  easy believe me.  Some of the others, well, they weren't raised to re-
  spect property like me.  I had to do a lot of convincing.  Rimli helped,
  of course.
Keldorn:  I imagine he did.  From what I have heard of him, and what little
  I saw of him myself, he is possessed of a great deal of integrity.
Ajax:  He was dead set on.... (he sighs) I mean, it was just the right thing
  to do, but it turned out wrong.
Keldorn:  From what you say, it seems that you, at least, had no know-
  ledge of the missing gems, correct?
Ajax:  (rises and stands up tall as he can, mustering up his courage) I'm
  not a dwarf and maybe that means I don't ken 'onor like you do, and if the 
  missing gems are my responsibility I can accept that.  But I can't do 
  anything locked in your dungeon.  If you'll let me, I pledge my sword,
  well, you took my sword, I promise to do my best, to try to help you...
  find your gems.
Keldorn:    (nods in thought, regarding Ajax critically)
Ajax:  (scuffs his shoe against the ground, then drops back into his seat) 
  Rats.  That was supposed to sound better.  I wish Rimli were here.  He'd 
  know what to say.
Keldorn:  No, Willemon, you have spoken well, and courageously; your
  friend would be proud of you.  I must admit, this is not what I had
  expected, not after your actions up above two days ago.
Ajax:  Well, your highness, maybe I panicked a little.  But I swear to you,
  I only wished to help you by coming here-- I still do.  Please, let us
  aid your search.  We can do no good locked in your dungeon.  Rimli is--
  was... is proud to count himself among our number.  What better en-
  dorsement can you ask for than the actions of an honorable warrior?
Keldorn:  (smiles slightly) Willemmon, you have the very heart of a dwarf.
  Tasencia spoke of reason; the mad Elf spoke of anger, and threats.  Brod
  sought to confuse and outmaneuver me with words, and until now I
  thought all of your kind were like him.  You, however, speak with your
  very spirit, and it moves me to grant your request.
Ajax:  (trying not to look foolish by smiling too much) Your highness, I
  cannot thank you enough.  You won't regret this, I promise!
Keldorn:  I believe you. (he rises, grabs Ajax's shortsword off of the
  table, then approaches the halfling with it unsheathed in one hand) You
  said you would pledge your sword; I ask you to make good on that promise
  now.  Guard, unlock his shackles.
dwarven guard:  But, your highness--
Keldorn:  (just glares at the guard)
dwarven guard:  (swallows hard) Yes, my lord. (he quickly unlocks and
  removes Ajax's manacles)
Keldorn:  (hands Ajax the sword, pommel first) Accept your weapon,
  halfling, and pledge an oath of honor to me.
Ajax:  (takes his sword in hand and bends down on one knee before the
  thain) I pledge to aid you in your search, your highness, in whatever
  manner I am able.
Keldorn:  Rise, Willemmon.  You have served your friends well.
Ajax:  (stands again) Thanks.  But really, you can just call me Ajax.
Keldorn:  You bring enough honor to your own name.  There is no need to
  take another in its place. (he turns to a guard) Guard, I would have
  Willemmon Tanglburr the Fifth dressed in the livery of Clan Stonehammer.
  Fetch the necessary accoutrements.
dwarven guard:  (nods silently and quickly exits)

Soon enough, the guard returns, and you find yourself dressed in a new
chainmail shirt of exquisite quality, a sturdy steel cap similar to those
of the guards, and a surcoat embroidered with the symbol of Clan
Stonehammer.

Keldorn:  (regards the newly-bedecked halfling with satisfaction)
Ajax:  (before he's escorted off again) Um, Keldorn?  Do you think we could 
  have some nicer rooms?
Keldorn:  By all means.  You are no longer my prisoners, but my guests--
  even Brod. (he glances back to the still-bound halfling)
Brod:  (his eyes widen)
Keldorn:  (to a guard) Untie him.  You shall come with us, Brod.
Brod:  (now gagless) It's about time!
Keldorn:  (fixes him with a stare)
Brod:  Er... your highness....