Nine Realms

As Fafnir began to lead them through the long hallways that were found just outside the weapon room, Twilight was fully expecting to find herself outdoors, maybe to come across a community of these diminutive human-looking beings. But, this was not to be the case, for as their guide continued to escort them around, it became very clear to them all that "going outdoors" was not going to be happening. In fact, it soon dawned on them that where they were was, in fact, a sprawling underground complex of some sort, for when they were led out of that hallway, they found themselves in an enormous and cavernous chamber, filled with walkways and what appeared to be other buildings all carved into the sides of the place. It was quite the spectacle, and everywhere the ponies looked, they saw ever more of these "dwarves" that lived in this realm. However, funnily enough, none of those figures ever seemed to pay them any attention as they passed them by, much to their confusion.

"They...um...they don't seem all that interested in us, Mr Fafnir."

Their guide grunted in irritation.

"For the last time, just call me Fafnir!"

He sighed.

"And no, there's too much work to be done for anyone to waste time and look on at a bunch of brightly-coloured ponies from another world."

On the one hand, it was nice that they weren't sticking out like eyesores out here, but on the other, it didn't help in the way of giving this place any less of the feel it already had. And that feel was stiff and unwelcoming. No dwarf here seemed to really look all that cheerful right now, instead focusing on whatever else they were doing, be it blacksmithing, mining or practising with one of the weapons that they had made. But, Twilight was in no position to simply express distaste in this, and instead, she simply followed Fafnir further in. Before long, however, they crossed one walkway in particular, and on the other side there seemed to be a collection of other dwarves. One looked like Fafnir, albeit with a lighter shade to his beard, and next to him was a far older-looking one, who was currently inspecting an axe that had been presented to him by one of the smiths. As they drew nearer, they heard this older dwarf speak.

"Yes...yes...very good, Skald. A fine creation yet again."

The smith bowed his head, accepting the axe back from this figure of authority before making his way back towards his personal forge. And it was here that Fafnir cleared his throat, gaining the attention of this elder dwarf. The latter, as he looked to Fafnir, frowned slightly, and then soon noticed Twilight and her friends. There was a pause, and then, the old dwarf narrowed his eyes to Fafnir.

"Son..."

"Father..." Fafnir mumbled back.

The old dwarf took a few steps forward, then gestured to the ponies.

"I give you one simple task, and instead of coming back with the inventory, you come back with...with...with whatever these are?!"

Fafnir frowned right back.

"I had nothing to do with them being here! They turned up in the storehouse. They came in using the Jotunheim stone."

The older dwarf considered this, then glanced back to Twilight.

"I am Hreidmar, King of the dwarves you see around you. Why are you here, stranger?"

Clearing her throat, the Princess stepped forward.

"Sir...my name is Twilight Sparkle, and I am a Princess from a land called Equestria. My friends and I were brought to these nine realms of yours by powers we don't fully understand. And ever since, we've been trying to find a way back."

Hreidmar stroked his beard as he heard that, and he glanced back to his son.

"What have you told them?"

Fafnir shook his head.

"Nothing. I just found them, heard their story, then brought them here."

Hreidmar nodded to that, albeit with no smile upon his face as he did so.

"Hmmm...glad to see you can do something right."

Fafnir looked away, and the King looked back to Twilight.

"You have my sympathies, young Princess...but I'm afraid there's little I can do to aid you."

Twilight took on a more despondent look.

"But...but...surely you know of some gateway in this realm that can lead to others? Or maybe there's someone else in your kingdom who has such knowledge?"

The King shook his head.

"Getting involved in otherworldly matters has never brought anything but misfortune to my people, so you'll forgive me if I'm not willing to get us tangled in one such as this."

Here, Fafnir looked back to him.

"Father...what about...?"

But his Father shot him a dark and angry look.

"You will not speak of such things! Do I make myself clear?!"

The mood had turned incredibly icy all of a sudden, and Twilight looked from one dwarf to the next, seeing Fafnir eventually relent, avoiding his Father's gaze. The King, seeing him cowed like this, shook his head.

"Defiant...and then just cowardly to boot."

He turned, gesturing to the other dwarf who had been standing nearby. The dwarf who also bore a resemblance to Fafnir.

"Why can't you be more like your brother, Otr? Do you ever see him making such blunders?"

The other dwarf took on a look of smug pride to this, much to Fafnir's chagrin, but the latter simply kept his mouth shut. As for the King, he let out another long sigh, then looked back to Twilight and the others.

"I am sorry for your plight...but I cannot risk my kingdom's safety by allowing us to become entangled with those like yourself."

Twilight stepped forward, her voice a pleading one.

"But...what are we going to do?"

The King glanced away, considering that for a moment.

"My son, Fafnir, will escort you to chambers for the night. You can rest there...and be on your way."

He looked back to them, frowning.

"Beyond that...you will receive no aid from us."

And with that, the King said nothing else, turning and heading off, along with his other son. Fafnir remained, continuing to grumble under his breath as his family left him behind. Twilight looked to him, and Fluttershy, who had been silent like the rest of the group this whole time, moved closer to him.

"Are...are you alright?"

But Fafnir didn't look to her. Instead, he started walking away, trying to ignore the question, as well as the obvious anger he was feeling to his sire.

"Come on then. The sooner you lot rest up, the sooner you can leave...and then maybe I can get back to my work."