I am stuck at these mine carts. As I understand it, you have to talk to the stout king so thst he will fix the first cart and then you later find a lever that will fix the second one. Is that right? I think I've tried every possible combination of topics with the king - dragon ore, cart, spare parts, armor, etc. , but nothing ever happens about the cart. Does anyone remember the specific words to use? Please help if you can cause this is not fun.

I'm stuck at the carts also, but a little past where you are. It seems to me that I just kept talking to the Stout King until he mentioned making me a suit of special armor if I could bring him some special (Dragon, I think) ore from the lower mines. Just keep talking to him. Maybe if you mention "Armor" of "Dragon Ore" it will spur him into the right actions. Good luck!!

Correct, talking to the King about his dream will get him to fix the one cart, you use that to reach (eventually) the lever that will enable the other cart to work.