Forgotten Ground Regained
Dim in dusk, dark fields and forests layOpen, exposed to lengthening light.Golden beams glinted on heads and helmsSilently slipping from forest fastnessInto open twilight-- reaching the road ---- on the verge of night. --
They were awaited: one in sable silkBowed gravely in greeting, held out his hand,Wishing welcome to His Lordship's lands.The riders reined in, their heavy helmsRevealing elvish eyes:-- Avari, unyielding ---- Wary, yet wise. --
Hunched on the heights, a castle crowned the crag:In fading light it loomed stark and strong.The cobblestones clattered; flaming torches flaredShielding corners in shadows that dipped and danced.They entered the hall:-- bright gold, crystal ---- a trophy-lined wall. --
The master of his men sat in stateTall as a tower, gaunt, with gleaming hair.Briefly they bowed, then stood silent, stillLike statues of stone in a tyrant's tomb.The tall lord smiled-- as a hunter might ---- to something free and wild. --
'Welcome,' he said, 'And where is the smith,''Whose unbreakable armor is famed near and far?'One stirred and stepped forward; softly spoke:'The smith stands before you, for Cordil has come,''And would learn from your lips what price you would pay.'And his face was cold-- his voice polite ---- and utterly controlled. --
'Have you skill sufficient,' said that master of men,'Armor to make unbreakable by man?''No price may be paid for the perfect piece,''But gifts I may give, exchange priceless for perfect.'Thus the grim lord-- offered for armor ---- a choice from his hoard. --
'If the metal is mithril,' the Avar answered,'My skill could shape it strong and sure.''But armor unbreakable? Only Powers could prove it,'Or battering of battle, though the smith should strive''Armor to make unbreakable by man.''But what, great lord,'-- might you have to offer ---- from the depths of your hoard? --
Deep they descended to a hidden hallLocked with locks, secured with seals.The narrow gate gaped, they walked withinDazzled by dance of flickering flamesOn diamond and mithril-- serried arms and armor ---- jewels and precious metal. --
Their bright brands glanced on a gleaming coronetWhich flashed in the flame like a subterranean star:And its rose-red ruby like a captive kingLay enfolded in flowers of molded mithril.The Avar held his breath-- at treasure long-lost ---- in ancient years of death. --
He looked at the lord matching eye to eyeAnd slowly smiled as if to challenge with charm.'If the mail I make can break the blowsOf your strongest soldier, O Master of Men,Would you call this coronet an equal exchange?'And so they agreed-- one lustful for power, ---- the other, from need. --
The high-roofed hall given to guestsEchoed with anger and whiplash of words.Her face aflame - her eyes ablaze -Fèhaglin the Fair his wedded wifeSpoke for them all-- as they huddled close-clustered ---- in that alien hall. --
'Make that murderer's armor? His promise to pay'Is as constant as cobwebs and as safe as a storm!''And what can he offer but ill-gotten gains,''The pillage and plunder of countless coasts?'Then from her lips a wild cry burst-- 'Such utter folly ---- 'This has been from the first!' --
'That man has Mirloth!' - So Cordil cried -'That my father forged and my mother wore!''That price will I pay, and risk what I must'To ransom their relic from this house of dust!'Féaglin sighed: 'And also strive,-- 'Gaining the treasure, ---- 'to reach home alive.' --
Enshrouded in shadows that dipped and dancedThey softly spoke in their Silvan speechOf cares, contingencies, methods, means,Secrets, circumstances, purposes, plans:Lest fear at night-- should catch them aground ---- lacking wings for flight. --
The trumpet's tantara announced an arrivalWhom the grim lord greeted to his kingly court.And courtiers crowded to meet the manSent to speak for the Fiery Land.Among the rest-- the Quendi came ---- to greet their host's guest. --
He saw them and smiled, benignly bowed,Wishing them well with velvet voice.Annatar, he noted, his lord and liege,Was friend to their folk since the Elder Age.His thin lips smiled-- as a cat's might that stalked ---- A bird in the wild. --
Their talk soon turned by delicate degreesTo the mail to be made for the land's own lord.That grim lord laughed and with braggart's boastSaid that they should be finest friendsSince both in their worth-- worked to make him ---- the strongest on earth.--
Their words wound on to meaningless mattersAnd soon they stopped when others arrived.His evil eyes, though, caught Cordil's faceAnd scanned and studied each feature and faultAs if there he read-- with gruesome pleasure ---- ancient tales of dread. --
The seasons spun with ponderous paceFrom Summer to Spring, and the fiery forgeRoared red-hot in a hollow hallWhere metal's might was shaped by skill,Where anvil sang-- where bellows hissed ---- and heavy hammers rang. --
And Fèhaglin, furtive, with soft-paced stepsLurked where the lord was wont to walk,In sunlight strolling, head to head,Closely consulting Annatar's ambassador.And her Elven ears-- heard what they said ---- as she listened near. --
'If our friendship is firm, we stand established,'strong and sure. My lord would ally'his crown to your cause, securing your strength'Should rivals arise. As sign and seal'Will he give you a ring-- 'potent with power.' ---- 'And one more thing -- ' --
The ambassador added, with whispering words:'My lord by your leave, a matter to mark:'Lord Sauron has stated, and so it is certain:'That elf once escaped my Potentate's prisons;''His features remind him-- 'Of unfinished business ---- 'He would put behind him.' --
The grim lord grinned, his sharp teeth shining.'I need him now, nor would it be wise'To give a guest into hostile hands.''Yet robbers are rife; when he leaves my lands'Would any think it strange-- 'Were he caught by ambush ---- 'Covertly arranged?' --
Argent the armor shone in the sun;The grim lord grinned at its dazzling display.A strong man stood with mighty mace;Let fly such force the mace head burst.The blows fell thick;-- it still shone silver ---- without scratch or nick. --
'Such magnificent mail,' said that master of men,'Is well worth winning; the price I pay'A pittance so paltry it beggars the brain.''Come! The crown is yours; then let us make mirth'With as splendid a feast-- as ever was served ---- in West or in East. --
High that hall, and wide-spread its wallsYet filled overflowing: all manner of menWere gathered together with bounty before them,Washing the wine down from flowing flagons.Above all the rest-- the Quendi sat ---- their grim host's guest. --
Cordil cracked jokes, laughing loud,But his stare often strayed to the distant doors.Fèhaglin fidgeted, her hasty handsFlickering, fluttering with hummingbird's hovering.Nearby, gleaming bright-- Mirloth lay, glistening ---- with roseate light --
At length it was late; the brands burning lowSpat and sputtered with flickering flames.Some now slept, but many moreMuttered, murmured, drunk and dazed.Then, her voice strong-- Féaglin offered ---- to sing them a song. --
Silence struck, and in that instantCordil called from his flute a soothing songThat softly sounded through the eery airLike a spirit singing of light and lifeUndying-- over mortal lands ---- which it blew past crying. --
Fèhaglin followed with a song like the seaSoothing yet surging as wild as the waves,Echoing endlessly, rhythmically rocking,Roaring, resounding, repeating, returning,Foaming floods whose constant dashings,-- wash all away ---- with lullabye crashings. --
Heavy heads hung, dull eyes drooped,Then one by one each dim face fell.And last like a leaf the tall lord's gazeDropped faint and frail to face the floor.Some snoring mutters-- then all was still ---- as the last torch sputtered. --
They stood with stealth, gently lifted the jewel,And softly slipped from the hushing hall.In silent slumber a kingdom sleptUnwarned of absence. They fled for freedomLeading in quiet line-- those of their folk ---- who had helped with the wine. --
A stair fell steep from the castle crag,Its base abutting a quiet coveWhose quay held craft both strong and swift.Straight down the stair the Quendi cameThen checked in fear.-- Annatar's ambassador softly smiled, ---- 'What brings such nightbirds here?' --
The castle-crowned crag lay quiet, coldWith neither light nor lamp. But a mass of menTwoscore in sum were placed to bar their path.'The lord would not like to hear of your haste,''To borrow wings and fly.'-- 'Why, what a reaction!' ---- 'You'd simply die!' --
The ambassador eyed them with sinister smile.'But need he know?' he suavely suggested.'We can mend the matter to our own advantage.''Consider, Cordil! My Potentate will pay you'What you truly deserve:'-- 'Not trifles like he ---- 'Whom you would no more serve.' --
But savage and sudden Cordil cried outA wild cry of war last heard long agoWhen Fithurin's fighters, defiant, despairing,Sallied in strength from besieged Amon-GilAnd charged to their doom:-- seeking others' escape ---- and they, the tomb. --
The elves above from the steps of the stairsDrew aim in the dark with Elvish eyesAnd let fly a flock of feathered fangs.And Cordil came forth, defiant, determinedAnd slashed his sword-- with leaping lunge ---- at that Mordain lord. --
But he stepped aside, and with mighty maceSwiftly swung to cripple or kill.Eluding, evading, they danced a danceAs light as lovers, as deadly as death.But with lightning speed-- the sword did the kissing, ---- And Cordil the deed. --
That servant of Sauron slid from his swordLifeless and limp to the sand by the shore.Then Féaglin found him, her spear stained with blood:The elves were alone but for Death and the the dead.So they swiftly embarked-- the ambassador's boat ---- and were lost in the dark. --
In a far-off forest, in a hidden hallFèhaglin faced him with unwilling eyes.In his hands Cordil held the coronet,His head tilting forward, his gaze to the ground,His grey eyes glimmering-- with sudden sheen, ---- with silver shimmering. --
'I will not wear it. It is bought with blood.'Her words then wavered; by will they went on:'Five of our folk died to deliver it;''And how many men shall pay your price,''And fall at his hand-- Because you have made ---- Armor unbreakable by man?' --
'There is more to be mended,' he softly sighed.'For dark years are dawning when Sauron will seek'A world bowed to his will, and our forest fastness'Lies exposed in the East, no haven from hunters.''Unless we would do as he bid,-- We must enter a haven ---- Forever hid. --
'I have had dark dreams,' she suddenly said,'But in shadows there shone a vision unveiled,''A city encircled by mighty mountains'Whose white walls stood secret but strong'In a high but lonely place.'-- Could we build such a city ---- It would shelter our race!' --
Her head held high, she held out her hand;His hand met hers; they stood face to face.'Let us dream this dream, and dare to defy'The Servant of Shadows!' - so he softly said.Their eyes were wild-- like eagles untamed ---- And they suddenly smiled. --
Copyright © Paul D Deane, 1995