The Pentanath: Adventures in the Avathar
A Posthumous Writing of The Watcher of Tol Eressea
Chapter 28: Book 5: Hope in the Midst of Shadow
by Sienna Dawn

A mist swirled inside the ancient Gwahaedir. Coiling and roiling vapors which changed in hue from bright red to a soft iridescence.

Eadendir o Eressea looked intently upon the surface of the seeing-stone, waiting, willing the thing to come to life. Today the stone did not yield the customary results and the old elf sat back in frustration. He thought he should try once more, but the creature seemed to have a mind of its own and would not heed his call. Eadendir realized this was happening more frequently these days.

He left the stone inside its secure box and closed the lid tightly over it. He sat back again, the old wooden chair wobbling gently beneath his weight. He looked about the room, distaste marking his aristocratic features, his green eyes sparkling with a smug glint. If he strained his hearing, he could hear the faint rushing of the sea.

"So, here is where you spent your days, Haldir o Lorien." He said softly. He stood then and walked slowly about the one-room lodge, studying for a brief moment the many personal items scattered about. He lightly fingered a double-edged knife which he recognized as being Noldorin-made and wondered how the Lorien Marchwarden had come into possession of such a singularly antique item.

With a determined set to his face, Eadendir seemed to have come to a decision. Turning toward the box which held the Gwahaedir, he reached for it and swiftly headed for the door to the little lodge.

Once outside he glanced around him, his lips twisting in distaste. How that he could leave these shores forever, he thought, snorting at the soft sea-breeze which lightly misted his face. He was weary of fish, fishing stories and the like. His family had meant for him to walk a different path than the one forced upon him. He had waited for the opportune time and now it had presented itself.

"Yet, that upstart wood-elf" he thought bitterly, "he would...he did...nearly destroy it all!" With that thought in mind, Eadendir began to walk away from the lodge, satisfied in the knowledge that perhaps in this battle of wills between him and Haldir, he would finally have the last word.

In moments he whistled and a black stallion galloped toward him. It was his steed of old, and he laughed, knowing the old legends and tales of the shadow rider and black steed which was said to haunt the salt marshes.

"Fools!" He laughed and leapt onto the beast's strong back. "Comeplete fools!" He added and steered the beast toward the eastern shoreline of the Shadowy Sea.

He looked back only once and grinned. "Farewell, Haldir of Lothlorien. May you darken my life nevermore!"

Spurring the horse, his thoughts were soon fixed upon another matter, one which he knew lay beyond the Bay of Eldamar, upon the still-forbidden shores of the Avathar.

~*~*~*~*~

"Three months and no word!" Niel exclaimed. She was folding clean linen and storing these in the wooden chest being made ready for Lisse's baby.

Lisse pursed her lips. "And no response from the Guild?"

Niel shook her head as she bent down to tuck another blanket inside the cedar chest. "No," she breathed, "no response."

Lisse, now 8 months into her pregnancy, rubbed the small of her back to ease the tingling jabs of pain that shot through every once in a while. The baby was heavy upon her slender frame and very active. Soon, she thought. Soon she would hold him in her arms.

Niel straightened and came to sit beside Lisse. Her eyes rested kindly upon Lisse's swollen belly and she gently patted it. "Have you decided upon a name?"

Lisse chuckled and said, "Nay, but I've a mind to call him Haldir."

Niel grinned, "Valar help us, it is enough to have one, save alone two, in all of Aman! Spare us, niece!"

They laughed, for a moment forgetting their individual worries.

~*~*~*~*~

Haldir had made a thorough and systematic search of the northwestern shorelines of the Shadowy Sea, making discreet inquiries at each village he passed. No sight or word of Orophin and this worried Haldir.

He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that all of the sad events were Eadendir's doing. Until he could find the old elf and wrest the palantir away, no one was truly out of his reach. Silently he cursed the making of the evil things, wondering how the Valar had ever permitted such folly.

It was upon a cool evening that he spotted his old lodge, sitting like a lone sentinnel upon the small mound of dirt and rock he had heaped in order to give it a good look of the sea below it. He trained his eyes upon it and frowned.

"There!" Haldir exclaimed, "close to the door. Footprints!" His heart began to beat a little faster.

Aquihir, who had borne Haldir aloft upon his great shoulders looked down. His piercing gaze clearly discerned the easily recognizable set of tracks. He redoubled his speed, catching a warm gust of wind and began a slow, circling descent toward the lodge. "We must approach with care, Star Herald," the mighty eagle counseled, "for naught we know what awaits inside."

Haldir nodded in agreement but did not respond. When the eagle alighted upon the spongy ground, Haldir quickly leapt off its shoulders and in great stealth approached the lodge. When he reached the first set of marks upon the damp ground he frowned again.

"An animal", Haldir said quietly to Aquihir. Haldir raised his eyes toward the lodge, adding. "Strong, sure footed and bearing a burden." He walked closer to the silent lodge, studying the ground. Close to the door he saw the set of footprints and he raised his eyes to the door of the lodge.

He drew his sword and with stealth approached the door. Reaching out he gingerly pushed it open. He had never bothered to fasten a lock upon it. The door gave easily and it slowly slid partially open. From inside there was only darkness.

And a presence, Haldir quickly realized. A living pulsing presence. A presence that waited for him. Was it the palantir?

With the tip of his sword, Haldir pushed the door open the rest of the way and stood to the side of the lodge, waiting for a moment. From within the gloom came no sound. Yet he knew that whatever was inside was real. It breathed, it waited.

And it waited for him.

~*~*~*~*~

Haldir slowly moved toward the door, his eyes detecting no sign of movement from inside. With the point of his sword he pushed open the wooden door and stood before it, calculating and evaluating the situation. He could feel the presence still waiting inside. It did not seem that it was going to give up its hiding position and Haldir realized he was expected to enter.

Carefully he stepped inside the darkened lodge, his keen eyes adapting to the darkness in a matter of moments. He looked about him.

The lodge was as he had left it, yet he could detect the faint trace of another presence, a lingering scent he recognized at once. Eadendir!

A sudden movement to the left interrupted his thoughts and he whirled, crouching, holding the sword before him in a defensive stance.

It leapt upon him before he could react. Haldir felt the weight of the creature crushing him, driving him to his knees, his sword knocked out of his grip. It lay, glowing brightly in the darkness, far from Haldir's reach. Still, he whirled about, feeling a strong pair of hands clamp about his back, strong fingers wrapping themselves about his neck. He reached behind him in a tremendous effort to wrench whatever it was away from him. The silent struggle continued for long moments as Haldir tried to wrest out of his attacker's grip. With the creature still clinging to his back, Haldir managed to come to his feet. He stood rooted to the floor, legs wide apart in order to give him greater leverage and momentum. Suddenly the creature at his back growled and Haldir bucked his knees, dropping to the floor, falling backward so as to pin the creature between his body and the ground. The manouver worked. Haldir twisted quickly about, keeping his weight upon the creature, bringing his arms around and knocking the creature's hands away from his neck. He looked down and nearly gasped.

The eyes that looked up at him, though full of malice and undisguised fury, were known to him. Yet Haldir knew he could give no quarter. Swiftly he brought a knee to the creature's neck and pinned it down, as he reached for his sword. In Haldir's hand it suddenly flared into life, bringing forth a great light. From the creature came a loud wail of pain and Haldir looked down upon its twisted face.

Shock and recognition manifested upon Haldir's face, and then these were replaced by pity. He looked upon the face of his attacker. "If I release you, will you stay your hand?" Haldir waited for the creature to respond.

The creature nodded once, its black hair matted and plastered against its skull. "Yes." Was all it said and its voice was a soft grating whisper, as if it was not used to speaking at all.

At the creature's response, Haldir quickly removed his knee from the creature's neck. Moving to one side, sword still in hand, Haldir rose and stood above the creature. "Whom do you serve?" Haldir's grey eyes reflected soft starlight and in his voice there was power.

The creature winced. It knew who spoke and it knew it was in the presence of a great and mighty being, not a mere quende, but one who spoke for the Lords of the West. It raised its eyes full of tears and answered. "Long have I been made to serve the stone and he who wields it. Release me, I beg you, release me from the pit of madness into which I have been thrown!" It made to move toward Haldir, but it checked its movements when he saw the stern face of the elf. Then it cowered away, weeping softly, misery and pain wracking its body.

Moved by the creature's plight, heeding the call of Varda, who had only moments before spoken through him, Haldir kneeled before the creature, sword still in hand for he would take no chances. "Odomil," Haldir began gently, looking with compassion at the emaciated body of Lisse Nyere's father. "Odomil Thinguve!" Haldir said in a greater voice.

The creature turned at the sound of his name. He looked into Haldir's eyes but did not respond. Its eyes flew to the sword in Haldir's hand. Its great light had now dimmed to a gentle glimmer as if starlight danced upon its mithril surface. Then the creature looked upon Haldir. "I used to be called thus once." Its voice was sad.

Haldir frowned. "How is this possible? All of Tol Eressea thought you dead long ago." He sheathed his sword and noticed Odomil watched his movement carefully. He would remain alert. How had the feeble-minded Odomil been turned into the miserably wretched creature that grovelled before him? Haldir turned and reached for a chair from a nearby table. Dragging it toward Odomil, he pointed to it. But Odomil only cowered on the floor, scampering back and away from it.

"I will not hurt you." Haldir said.

But the creature did not move.

Haldir sighed and sat upon the chair. "As you will." He could feel the weight of his sword at his side and seeing Odomil's gaze lock upon it, he lightly rested his hand upon its hilt.

"We have much to discuss, Odomil Thinguve," Haldir began, looking at the creature cowering on the floor. Its clothes were wet, Haldir suddenly realized, dark colored leggings which hugged its thin legs and a long-sleeved tunic that seemed worn but looked clean. Haldir frowned in thought. Why was Odomil soaked through? "You did not answer the Lady," Haldir began. "Whom do you serve?" His voice was stern and its tone implacable; the same voice and tone he used for those who had once dared to trespass the borders of his beloved ertswhile Lothlorien.

Odomil looked away from Haldir. He feared the great elf's anger.

But Haldir would brook no further delay. "Whom do you serve?" He asked in a greater voice, rising from his chair and walking toward the still-crouching Odomil.

"I serve he who wields the palantir!" It cried suddenly and it looked at Haldir.

Haldir could see the truth in Odomil's face. "Where is he who wields the stone?"

Odomil Thinguve hesitated. He feared Haldir but he hated the stone more than he feared the elf lord. "He lives beyond the realms of Ulmos, where not even the Themes of Eru can be heard."

Haldir frowned at Odomil's answer. "That cannot be," Haldir answered, "for none save the Valar may dwell beyond the realms of Ulmos."

Odomil merely looked upon the face of the elf lord, waiting for Haldir's response.

Haldir looked upon the creature and then turned away, walking to the open door of the lodge. A small flicker of his wrist and a soft blue-tinged light suddenly dispelled the gloom. Odomil, bewildered, looked about him and then let his gaze rest upon Haldir's strong back. He knew now that this was no mere elf and his fear grew.

Haldir turned and looked at Odomil. He crossed his arms and said in an implacably firm tone. "Tell me all I need to know. From the beginning."

Odomil Thinguve stared at Haldir.

~*~*~*~*~

The day began early for Lisse. Though Niel by now single-handedly ran Guve Hall, Lisse still had a say in all matters, especially in dealing with sales and purchases. For this reason, she had felt her responsibility to help her aunt during the barganing sale of Haldir's spoils. For though Haldir was absent from the Hall, his traps were still attended to and the silma fish still processed and sold. Lisse would then deposit the revenue in the accounts set aside for this purpose. These monies were never touched for all knew they pertained solely to Haldir. Even as his wife, Lisse respected this aspect of Haldir's life and kept their shared revenues apart from his fishing profits.

The pains came abruptly, as she and Niel were engaged in the middle of a complicated negotiation for three dozen over-sized silma, a thing rarely seen in the waters off Tol Eressea. Sharp stabbing pain, piercing her back and lower abdomen, shot through Lisse and she blanched, grasping Niel's arm tightly. The older female turned to look at her niece and she cried in alarm, "What ails you, Lisse?"

She knew of course, at once, and so she led Lisse away quickly, calling out for help, leaving the silma buyer to deal with Gilnorion.

Niel led Lisse quickly into the house. They had only gained the entry corridor, when Lisse suddenly cried in pain and doubled over. A great smear of bright red blood began to stain the lower front of Lisse's golden gown and Niel cried out in a great voice. In moments several elves, including Gilnorion and the silma merchant, ran into the corridor. Seeing the stricken ashen face of his old friend, the blood stain spreading onto the gown and trickling upon the floor, Gilnorion rushed past everyone and quickly scooped Lisse into his arms. He called as he sped toward the stairs, "Call for the birthing besse!"

Niel, her own face white from fear, turned and fled in the direction of the south tower where the old birthing besse, brought from Kortirion, dwelled.

~*~*~*~*~

Lisse's and Haldir's babe labored for hours to be born, and Lisse finally succumbed to the fear and pain, crying out that she could strive no further. She lay upon the great bed she and Haldir shared, her face ashen, hair plastered to her head, fat beads of sweat trickling from her face to her neck. She convulsed in pain, twisting her body in agony, crying and moaning for the pain to stop.

The birthing besse gave Lisse a compassionate glance as Niel with a cool sponge wiped away the perspiration from Lisse's brow. "Can you not ease her pain?"

The old besse shook her head, watching Lisse with a knowing eye. "Nay," she replied, moving to stand at the foot of the bed, inspecting Lisse carefully, " 'tis too close now. It is too risky, for the babe comes weeks too soon."

"She is so tired." Niel protested softly.

"It is the way of it." Replied the birthing besse. "And it is the manner of all life. She will recover" The besse added. "But now the babe comes." She looked up at Niel as a new pain wracked Lisse and she cried out. The besse bent over her work, giving Lisse instructions, encouraging her when needed and reassuring her when she seemed at her weakest.

Concerned, Niel gently stroked Lisse's forehead, moistening Lisse's lips with the wet sponge. Early on the besse had given stern instructions that no water was to pass Lisse's lips, and now that the early pain killers had worn off, all she was allowed to do was to press the sponge against Lisse's dry lips.

The labor lasted many hours and when Lisse thought she could endure no further, a tiny wail was heard come from the bedchamber. All who heard it relaxed somewhat, but not fully until Niel emerged from the room with news that Lisse was well and safely delivered of a healthy son.

~*~*~*~*~

Lisse opened her eyes and thought for a moment. She had slept for hours and wondered where her son was. A small sound to her right caught her attention and she turned her head. A soft smile played about her face. A small bassinet stood to her right and nestled inside slept her son. Her son, she thought, as a fierce love began to swell in her bosom. Hers and Haldir's. Slowly, she moved her legs off the bed, wincing in discomfort, but feeling otherwise well and even energetic. Coming closer to the bassinet, she inspected the tiny elfling.

His hair was blonde, but unlike her own. Instead, it was the same unique silver-golden hue that was the trademark of the Galadhrim and most especially of Haldir and Orophin. She reached out with a slender hand and caressed her son's face. Lisse noticed he slept profoundly, his face turned sideways and resting upon the soft pillow Niel had fashioned for him only a month before. She wanted to see all of him, make sure he was perfect and hale and so she began to slowly uncover him. She saw that his body was well formed and his legs and arms promising to grow into the strength of their maturity. As she covered him once more, she pondered upon a name, wishing with all of her might that Haldir had been here. She willed the old pain away, knowing that his absence was as much to his dislike as it was to hers.

As Lisse's thoughts flew to Haldir, she was still caressing her son, when abruptly the tiny hand found hers and Lisse found her finger tightly grasped. His strength surprised her and she smiled. Smoothing the silver-golden hair back she suddenly decided upon his name. "Celevon," she murmured softly. "You will be called Celevon, son of Haldir." She smiled as the infant let go of her hand. Yes, she thought, a fitting name. Celevon, an ancient Sindarin word which meant "of silver". She thought the name fitted best the unique color of his hair. She smiled as she turned from the bassinet and laid down once more. Celevon Haldirion. A most fitting name, Lisse thought as she stilled her mind and allowed herself to drift to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~

His mind was adrift in the gardens of Lorien, where soft mist fell upon his face. Giant mellyrn surrounded him and he was happy. For the first time in a thousand years he was happy.

From behind him a voice called his name and he turned. Silhouetted against the backdrop of brilliant stars he saw her. Ethereal and golden, like the sparkling dew that glistens upon the flowering trees that grow on the western banks of the river Nimrodel.

He heard her clearly, her gentle voice, gracing his mind with love and concern. She called him back to the world and he resisted her allure. He looked once more upon the vision and then it faded, leaving him in an empty place, full of shadow. He felt cold, but not from without, but from within, as if an icy hand had gripped his soul and he shuddered awake.

Orophin opened his eyes. He was still trapped inside the iron cage where he had now dwelled for days unnumbered. A hundred times he had studied the surroundings, searching for a way to escape. Never did he find a weakness. But he would continue to search, no matter how long it took.

He was inside a metal cage, made, he know knew, from the strongest galvorn, the black, shiny metal first crafted on Middle Earth by Eol, the Dark Elf. He knew there was no way of breaking free of the strong metal. Instead, he had passed his time counting the hours between Eadendir's visits and departures. He reasoned there had to be a way out of the cage.

His eyes wandered about the cave. It had to be a cave, Orophin had long ago reasoned, because of its dampness, the swirling pool of seawater not a hundred feet away from him, and also from the pungent scent of the ocean. But just where exactly he was not certain. He remembered he had been attacked only a league from the northern shoreline of the Shadowy Sea, as he dove beneath its murky waters. He only remembered a great shadow looming above him, only to awaken inside the cage where he now sat.

Just then the calm water of the glistening pool before him began to churn and Orophin fastened his eyes upon it. He frowned, calculating. It was too soon for Eadendir to return. Usually, the old elf came once every few days, leaving for Orophin enough water and food to last until his next return. Yet Orophin's supplies had not yet been exhausted. He looked upon the swirling waters and waited, sitting upon the sandy soil, his back against the heavy metal bars. He frowned and crossed his arms. He could do nothing save wait.

From beneath the softly glowing waters of the pool a blonde head began to emerge. Orophin sat up and observed. In a moment, a tall figure began to emerge. Orophin's eyes widened somewhat and he began to rise, his heart pounding within his chest. In moments, a tall figure emerged from the water. It was dressed in a Guild diving suit, its rank clearly blazoned upon its left arm. Recognizing the identity of the diver, Orophin shouted, "Haldir!" He grasped the bars of the cage. At once the figured whirled, a breathing mask upon its face.

Haldir saw his brother inside the metal cage and ripped the mask off his face. "Orophin!" In a few long strides he had reached the cage, locking his gaze onto his younger brother's face, reassuring himself that Orophin was well. Then he dropped his gaze to the cage.

"It has no door, Haldir." Orophin said, stepping away from the bars and looking about the cage.

Haldir studied the cage for a moment. " 'Twas fashioned by one of Eol's smiths." He began, "do you not remember we used them to hold Orcs?" He raised his eyes to his brother's face, coming 'round the cage, lightly fingering the bars, looking for the trigger.

"Nay," responded Orophin, "that was long 'ere I watched the northern borders."

"Indeed," Haldir replied, his supple fingers finding the hidden trigger. Deftly he pressed and at once a side of the cage began to roll aside. Orophin watched, amazement clearly written upon his face. "Had I but known the secret of this thing, it would have saved me days of ingesting the vile stews Eadendir brought." His nose wrinkled with distaste as he dipped and passed out of the metal cell. From his left Haldir chuckled but otherwise did not comment.

Silently the brothers looked about, and then Haldir spoke. "Where is he?"

Orophin knew what Haldir meant. "I know not where he goes. He comes every third day with provisions, speaks naught and then leaves again."

"This place has many passages." Haldir observed, looking toward the several narrow corridors that extended from the cave itself.

Orophin followed Haldir's gaze and nodded. "Yes, though I cannot say for certain where they lead."

Haldir collected his breathing mask and handed it to his brother. "Nor do we explore." He began to wade into the water. "We must leave this place."

Orophin thought they should stay and wait for the old elf, but he never had the opportunity to state his thoughts aloud.

~*~*~*~*~

Haldir motioned Orophin to silence. "We are not alone," He whispered.

Orophin nodded. Haldir dropped his hand to his waistband, drawing two short daggers from it.

Expertly he tossed a dagger to Orophin, giving him a warning glance.

A low growl rent the silence and both elves crouched, as was their habit, Haldir in front with Orophin behind him, covering the rear.

"From the shadow, there." Haldir pointed with his dagger and he turned to look at the swirling, glowing waters of the pool, mentally calculating the distance between it and them.

"We make for the water. 'Tis our only escape."

Orophin nodded at Haldir's words. Together they slowly turned toward the quiet waters.

Suddenly, from behind them a mighty roar followed and Haldir pushed Orophin ahead of him. "Run!" He screamed.

Though weak, Orophin's legs responded automatically and he sprinted toward the pool, jumping into its waters and turning.

The sight before him robbed Orophin of breath and thought.

"Ai!" He exclaimed, "'tis the Watcher of Sirannon!" His eyes flew to Haldir.

~*~*~*~

Haldir looked up at the creature looming before him, willing himself to think calmly, for he knew fear clouded reason.

The creature was at least the height of the tallest cliff of Tol Eressea and Haldir judged that this made the creature over fifty times his own height. Looking carefully, Haldir realized he could not tell the creature's true dimensions for it seemed translucent in parts! His silver eyes traveled the creature's body. Never had he seen anything like it. Not even the murderous creatures that Morgoth and Sauron had unleashed on Middle Earth came close to the thing now blocking his escape. It somewhat resembled the Watcher of Sirannon, the beast which lurked beneath the pools that lapped the western gates of Moria. It resembled partly a large bear and a warg, but more than that he could not say for the creature seemed to be made of air and had little substance.

Yet, its deep and menacing growls were sufficient evidence of its existance.

It's golden eyes, filled with malice and hate, convinced Haldir this was no illusion.

Haldir observed it now, as it crouched and leaned toward him, rounding about Haldir so that they switched positions and now the creature was standing with its back to the pool where Orophin waited, blocking Haldir's escape. Its unblinking golden gaze watched Haldir quietly, yellow eyes squinting in the shadow. It made no move toward him and Haldir saw that it seemed to be searching for something. Slowly, its growls turned to squeals and then it began to sniff the air.

Haldir took a cautious step toward his left and stilled as the creature turned its yellow eyes in his direction. A snarl froze Haldir in place. Through the creature's transparent body, Haldir could see Orophin, his eyes wide with fear.

Haldir took another careful side step to his left. The creature did not react. It continued to sniff the night air.

Haldir knew his only escape was somehow getting around the monster that stood before him. But the creature that hunted them had positioned itself between Haldir and the pool. Its girth seemed to be so wide that Haldir feared he would be unable to slip past its notice.

Still, he took another step. This time the mithril dagger he carried abruptly flashed in the dark and Haldir stilled, glancing at the blade and quickly sheathing it beneath the palm of his hand. It had never done that before! His eyebrows furrowed. What manner of magic was afoot here? He wished he had his old cloak from Lorien for he knew that material would safely hide him from unfriendly eyes. But all he had now was his wits.

At the sudden flash of mithril, the creature turned toward Haldir and snarled but made no move.

Haldir frowned. He could still see Orophin. The creature had not seen him.

"Good." Haldir whispered, "keep your eyes on me." He told the monster.

The creature hissed and snarled, swaying slowly as if trying to decide its next move. Yellow eyes burned into Haldir's calm silver gaze.

"Watch me....look at me..." Haldir intoned. "Look at me..."

The creature fixed its eyes on Haldir, snarling but not moving.

Terrified, Orophin watched from the pool.

Whatever it was, it was monstrous in sight. Yet Orophin realized with a shock that the creature was transparent in areas. He could see Haldir standing on the other side of it, and he could see the cave throught it. And, Orophin could hear its labored breathing.

His heart hammered in his chest and he watched Haldir take several cautious steps trying to get around the creature. Each time he moved, the thing snarled and bobbed toward him but strangely did no more than that. Orophin saw it turn and sniff the air a few times.

Suddenly, the creature seemed to have gotten a whiff of a scent and it growled, a sound like the mighty rushing of water against a mountain. Orophin moved cautiously, but the gentle gurgling of the pool's water betrayed him. Instantly, the monster reacted and turned to look. Orophin froze. Yellow eyes searched, its glance darting to and fro. Suddenly, Orophin knew it could not see as well as elves in the dark. He watched it sniff the air. It relied mostly on scent.

Realizing he had found a weakness in the creature, Orophin tried to capture Haldir's attention but he saw that he was still carefully attempting to move around the hideous being. He raised his eyes to the creature's eyes, for its face was indistinct and for a brief moment their gazes met and locked.

Orophin gasped. The creature sniffed in his direction and then, certain now, it snarled. Slowly, it began to turn away from Haldir.

The creature hesitated for a moment, but then it seemed to make up its mind and turned toward Orophin.

Guessing the creature's intention, Haldir made to distract it. Shouting, he waved his arms, desperately working to take the creature's attention upon himself.

But it was no use. The creature had located Orophin's scent and was turning toward him, its growls now splitting the stillness of the cave, drowning out Haldir's shouts.

Knowing he had to do something, Haldir drew his dagger and rushed toward the creature, slicing through what looked like the dim outline of a leg. No response came from the creature. Again, Haldir cut and sliced, putting all of his strength into the parry. It did not deter the creature in the least and it continued its slow advance toward his brother, who stood frozen, staring at the nightmare before him.

Haldir watched in dismay, hoping that Orophin had the presence of mind to dive into the water. There was little distance between the creature and Orophin now, and Haldir's heart hammered at a fevered pitch. If he did not act, Orophin was doomed.

"Orophin!" Haldir suddenly yelled. "Into the water!" His voice could barely be heard past the murderous snarls of the creature as it advanced upon Orophin and now bent down toward him.

Haldir realized Orophin had not heard him and that fear had paralyzed him. He saw his brother, a tiny fleck of living light, standing knee high in the gentle, glowing waters and the giant creature looming its snarling face over him. With certainty, Haldir knew his brother faced impending death.

Suddenly, from Haldir's anguished's soul came a loud cry, "Ai, sweet Varda, Queen of the Stars, do not forsake us!"

Abruptly, Haldir's dagger flared into life and a silver-blue light emanated from it. In his mind Haldir heard, "Throw it!" and he followed the voice's command without hesitation.

The dagger sailed from Haldir's hand as if guided by an unseen power. Swiftly, it arched and dove directly toward the back of the creature's head.

The creature's reaction was immediate.

Coiling back, the monster screamed in pain, shaking its head violently from side to side. The agony of the dagger's power blinding it for a moment.

But a moment was all Haldir needed, and he sprinted at his top speed, rounding past the creature, who screamed in pain, oblivious to the elf. Reaching the waters of the pool, Haldir jumped in and quickly took the other dagger from Orophin's hand.

Orophin's eyes were wide and riveted on the creature. He watched it scream and snarl in frustration. It twisted and turned, trying to dislodge the shining dagger which could be clearly seen embedded inside its translucent body. He was dimly aware that Haldir was speaking to him and that they were diving toward the water. He felt Haldir's strong hands push him beneath the seawater. As the water closed about his face, his eyes were still fixed on the creature. Its screams and snarls rent the cave and Orophin closed his eyes and his mind against it, finally following Haldir's lead and dipping into the water.

~*~*~*~*~

Key:

Ulmos - Lord of the Waters. Valar whose domain is the sea, and all waterways, though he is much more.

Themes of Eru - the Song of Illuvatar. From the Silmarillion, the songs of Eru-Illuvatar created the world and all creatures. It is said that the Themes of Eru can be still heard upon the seas and oceans which are Ulmos' domain. This earned him the great hatred of Melkor/Morgoth, for the ocean cannot be tamed and from its "music" came the great longing of the elves and the great songs of men.

besse - wife

quende - (singular) elf

The Watcher of Sirannon - In Middle Earth, the mysterious creature, origin unknown, that attacked Frodo when the Fellowship was at the western gates of Moria. It is generally believed it was a many-tentacled creature, though not even Gandalf knew what it was. In the Lord of the Rings it was called The Watcher in the Water.

~*~*~

Back Home Next Email Me

Disclaimer: All familiar characters are owned by JRR Tolkien and are used without permission. No monies are being made from this work.
Painting is taken from John William Waterhouse's "Miranda", 1875.

Graphics copyrighted Cari Buziak