PART THREE: letters Abound
My Beloved Lord,
Time is a curious claim upon Quendi, for given it in abundance like an ever ripening field of corn, there lies always the danger that the individual plants will blur into a great stirring sea of gold, an acre of nothingness. Or should I write, acher?
Lo, my heart plods onwards and Andriath’s hooves find safe passage through the valleys of the Trollshaws into the vast and troubled domain of Eregion, where I aid Elven kind wherever I may find them. Too long have I dulled my blade upon the thick skulls of Angmar’s forces, that spew forth like the sickness of some wretched beast, yet even in more clement surrounds, the folk of Eregion are troubled no less by the corruption of the dark Lord. There are strange forces at work here that soak the ground and make even the Holly trees want to move! A great trouble to me when I am in the midst of picking its fruits; I have discovered that a fine Elven brew can be made from its berries to sustain me, and oh how I need sustenance!
But it has not been my only occupation. A jeweller asked me to mine some ancient silver that I found in the surround foothills, yet also there I found many camps of Naugrim, who were digging deeper than I! Yes, they were fast uncovering their buried ancestry and somehow I came to be employed among them. My mind is befuddled as to how this occurred, and my vision blurred, as our excavations finally revealed an entrance shaft leading into the subterranean wonder known as Khazad-dûm. What unspeakable horrors lie within the dark confines of the mountain are yet to be revealed, quickly the Naugrim made first camp just a short distance inside, within a chamber of gilded pillars and jewel encrusted mantles, thick with dust and strew with rubble, yet still a marvel to the eye.
Such exquisite craftsmanship promises to carve a glimmering palace into the belly of this mountain, yet my host explore with careful steps and uneasy hearts, tales of Durin’s bane lingering long in their minds. Lo, must I follow them, for I cannot extract myself from their host at this late hour, lest they question my Elven courage!
Every pick is necessary, and they promise me good pay although my wants are few, which does make me stand out among my stunted companions in more ways than height. The Naugrim host make no secret of their allure for Mithril, some of whom spend so long mining for it that they smell worse than their goats! These are the only creatures that will step foot inside the mountain (I have safely stabled Andriath for the time being) and I hope one day to discover how the dwarves manage to steel the nerve of their beasts, although I suspect it has a great deal to do with the drinking water, since I have yet to ride one that can run in a straight line!
Have courage for me my beloved Lord, for the light has been robbed from my path and I know not where I wonder.
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PART THREE: Letters Abound
Submitted by Tynuilos on March 2nd, 2010
