Ponso's Grand Dwarfy Adventure: An epic pome

Here be the Saga of Ponso Pondhopper and the Dwarves of Khuzd Belkul, told in verse for your edification and entertainment!

Day XVI
Early next morning I was out in fresh air
back at my fishing spot
When along came Kandral the great gaffer-dwarf
And asked me what I’d got
I opened the lid of my basket 
And showed him the Perch that I’d caught.
‘Well that is enough to feed us all,’
Said he, ’There’s more than I thought.’

Then up pops Bob, yawning and scratching,
And bowed to Kandral and me.
The Gaffer pulled out his pipeweed bag.
‘I’m down to my last few I see.’
So I looked into my baccy pouch.
‘I’ve plenty to share,’ I said.
As he took the weed, I thought to ask:
‘How’s that cut on yer head?’
‘Take a look,’ said Kandral, bowing right over.
‘That salve from Thrandili worked well.’
‘And your chewy plant really helped me to sleep,’
‘Like I was under a spell.’

‘Ah, well sleep heals all, as me Gammer would say.’
‘A wise lad that Gammer,’ said he.
‘Not a lad, but me Da’s Ma,’ I chuckled.
‘Married to me gaffer, you see.’
Then along came Thrandili, nursing her arm
She didn’t look clever at all.
She seemed quite dizzy and swayed on her feet
I was worried that she might fall.
‘Sit down, Miss Thrandili, let’s look at that arm.’
Said I, helping her off her feet.

It was swollen and battered and sore to the touch
And the colour of tenderised meat.
‘What have you done there?’ the Gaffer he said.
‘I had a fight with a cat…’
‘…or two,’ said Thrandili, wincing with pain.
I wasn’t sure we could heal that!
‘I’ll just stay here and you go ahead.’
said Thrandili, but I told her ‘No,’
‘We can’t leave you alone in this state.
Then Bob said that he would go
Back up the track with her with him.
But that would would take more than a day.

Then I remembered an angler I’d met that morning
Whose cottage was not far away.
‘We’ll take her to him, I said to the Gaffer.
She can rest there while he gets help.
She tried to get up, but banged her arm
And gave out an anguished yelp.
‘Give her some of that bark that you gave to me,’
Said Kandral, ‘To help with the pain.’
So I handed her willow, and said ‘Chew on this,’
‘And soon you’ll be right as rain.’

The others emerged and gathered around,
Shocked to see her poor state.
Then Bob brought his pony and we both helped her on,
And told the others to wait.
While we searched for the house where the fisherman lived.
We found it not so far away.
The fisherman, Garbert welcomed us in,
And said she’d be welcome to stay.
He’d go straight to the elf-camp over the hill,
And fetch a healer to see her.
I was relieved and Bob was so grateful
He gave Garbert a gold piece and some beer.

So with Thrandili safe, we were back on the trail,
And climbed up away from the river.
The path soon narrowed and crossed over a gorge;
The height made me tremble and shiver.
By the time the sun set, we were out in the wilds
And wondering where we should camp.
When up pipes Wollin, ‘There’s someone ahead!’
‘Someone small, and waving a lamp!’

Day XVI Night
We stood and we watched as the light came closer,
And I have to admit being scared
Then a voice rang out, ‘Ponso, it’s you!’
And the dwarfies, they all stood and stared.
‘Rosamundi!’ I shouted, ‘How did you get here?’
‘It wasn’t that easy.’ said she.
‘My legs are aching from riding all day.’
‘But we just had to find you, you see.’
We found an old ruin and have camped with some elves.’
‘Knowing you’d come by this way.’

‘It’s been a long journey, I’m so glad we found you.’
Well, I didn’t know what I should say.
I looked behind her and there stood Ifo
Grinning from ear to ear.
‘A proper search-party’ I said to Rosa,
And Ifo replied, ‘Ifo  – here!’
Said Rosa, ’Your sister is worried about you.’
She asked us to bring you a note.’

Then Ifo stepped forward and gave me a letter,
And I read what my sister wrote:
‘Ponso, oh Ponso, what are you doing?’
‘I hope that you’re not in danger.’
‘You’d better remember that you’re just a hobbit.’
‘And not some adventurous Ranger!’
Ponso, oh Ponso we miss you so much.’
‘So Ifo and Rosa have come.’
‘To persuade you to quit this dangerous quest,’
‘For all of us need you back home.’

‘Your friends seem to think that you need rescue.’
Said Kandral, shaking his head.
‘I suggest we take this to the elf-camp.’
‘We’ll discuss this fully,’ he said.
So off we tramped, up the hill to the ruins.
As I pondered what I should do.
I was touched that my friends would come here to find me.
But I was confused, too.
I’d given a promise to Kandral to follow,
And honour the contract I’d signed.
And though I missed the Shire and all my friends
I didn’t want be left behind.

We soon got to the elf camp and unloaded the ponies.
It wasn’t so far to walk.
And once introductions were out of the way
We found a quiet corner to talk.
‘If I may,’ began Kandral, looking quite stern
‘I think that you should be told.’
‘Your Master Ponso has been more than a help—‘
‘He’s been worth his weight in gold.’
‘The gem of the company, without a doubt,’
‘He’s saved us from many a pickle.’
‘Oh no Mister Kandral,’ said I, in a fluster,
‘Please don’t think that I’d be so fickle;’

‘We should rest here tonight and then you will see,’
‘Miss Rosa, that things aren’t so bad.’
‘We’ll talk on it more in the morrow,’ said I
And bowed low to the Uz-bad.
Well, Kandral seemed happy with that and went off
To find himself somewhere to sleep.
And Rosa and I exchanged our news
As the moon ‘cross the sky did creep.

And later I lay, unable to sleep
These thoughts running though my head.
To stay or to leave after all this way;
So I stirred, and got out of bed.
The air was still and the moon was high,
Bathing the landscape in light.
I looked far off across the plains;
A truly remarkable sight.

I thought of adventures that lay up ahead,
I thought of the great times we’d had;
And though there’d been setbacks along the way,
None of them had been that bad.
If I’d stayed in the Shire I’d have missed such a lot;
The elves, Imladris, old Bilbo;
And Kandral was right; we had an agreement
He could insist that I still go.
Of course, I missed my home and friends,
And wanted to return beyond wishing.
So I did what I do when I need time to think,
I packed up me rods and went fishing!

Day XVII and XVIII
I walked from the camp in the moonlight,
And all was so calm and so still;
The plains shining silver below me,
Just ahead, a small rounded hill.
So I climbed up its grassy slopes quickly,
And had a good look all about.
I could make out the banks of a river ahead,
Though its waters made nary a sound.

So I hoisted my backpack, descended,
And headed across the broad plain.
But when I arrived at the river bank,
I could see that no water remained!
The river was as dry as a desert.
Not even a trickle flowed by.
So I struck out again, this time to the east
Looking for somewhere less dry.

After wandering about for more than an hour
I came on a pond in a dip;
It wasn't so large, but at least it had water
But muddy, and I tried not to slip—
—As I climbed down the banks to the water
That shimmered in moonlight, so still.
I chose a light line with a fine hook,
And for the float, a long goose’s quill.

But the water was murky and shallow,
So I rolled up my pants and set out,
Towards a small isle in the centre;
It was then that I heard a man’s shout!
On the island was an old willow,
So I hid myself up in its boughs.
Through the leaves I could see several men prowling round,
And I stayed there, quiet as a mouse.
Well, this was a pickle I’d got myself in.
I was surrounded by men on each side.
The sun was just rising, the sky had turned pink.
And all I could do was to hide.

I stayed in the tree as the sun climbed higher,
And hoped the men would depart.
But during the day more and more of them came.
I was so quiet, I could hear my own heart!
I thought by nightfall they might go to bed
And then I could make my escape;
But a fresh wind blew up and it chilled to the bone
So I wrapped myself up in my cape.

I must have dozed off, still sat in the tree.
For the next thing I knew it was morning.
And the men were all back and I was still stuck
Tired, and hungry and yawning.
A second day without any food!
My tummy was aching and grumbling.
And just when I thought, could it get any worse,
I heard a distant rumbling.
A thunderstorm broke, right overhead.
And soon I was drenched to the skin!
The men took shelter, but I could see they were near
What a terrible state I was in!

Now, unknown to me, the dwarves had gone south,
Though Miss Rosa had said it weren’t right
They thought that I’d followed the old dried up river,
But still hadn’t found me by night.
So next day it was Rosa said they should go back
Though none of the dwarfies were pleased
And they were about to give up and count me as lost,
When by great luck I suddenly sneezed!

‘That was Ponso,’ said Rosa, ‘I’m sure that it was.’
And the dwarves all stopped and turned round.
They could see that the pond was surrounded by men,
So they crept forward, making no sound.

Back in the willow, I was all in a panic;
I was sure that the men heard my sneeze.
So I lay still as I could with my hand on my mouth,
And the branch gripped between trembling knees!
As the men came closer, surrounding the pond,
I thought this might be my last fight.
I felt for my dagger and was about to unsheathe it,
When I noticed a quick flash of light;
The sun had come out and lit up the clearing
And there, I could see, on the grass,
Was a small group of dwarfies advancing quite slowly,
And behind them, a brave hobbit lass!

Day XVIII Continued
Well the dwarves got as close as they could get,
Without alerting the men.
It was clear I’d been seen atop the old willow,
It all went quiet and then…
‘Baruk Khazad!’ yelled Thaosli,
As the dwarves all ran down the slope
Axes all gleaming in the late morning sun,
Well, them lankies hadn’t a hope!

They took to their heels and all ran off.
With never a glance over shoulder.
I jumped out of the tree and whipped out my knife,
Suddenly feeling much bolder!
Miss Rosa ran up and gave me a hug,
And the dwarves all bowed and cheered;
All except Kandral who looked rather stern.
He glowered and tweaked at his beard.

‘Oh Ponso, you’re safe! I thought we had lost you,’
Said Rosa, looking distraught.
‘What would I tell Pen if you hadn’t been found?’
‘What a horrible thought!’
‘I’m sorry,’ I said, then I caught Kandrals eye.
‘I should think so too,’ said he.
‘It’s not safe to go fishing in lands such as these.’
‘We’d no idea where you would be!’
‘We’ll go back straightway to our camp by the Walls.’
‘And there, I’ll have something to say.’
‘We’ll ask the elves there to see to your cold.’
‘Thanks to you, we‘ve wasted a day!’

So, chastised, I followed the dwarves ever southward,
Sorry for the trouble I’d brought.
He was right; it was stupid to take myself fishing,
Without even a second thought.
‘You’re a very silly lad,’ said Rosa quite sternly.
‘For giving us all such a scare.’
‘But there’s just one thing I’ve been wondering about…’
‘…What was the fishing like there?’

We’d hardly set off before more men appeared,
‘We’ll have to run for it!’ Kandral said.
So we sprinted off as the wild men all chased us
With arrows flying over our heads.
We soon outpaced them and fell back to walking.
Which was good, cause my legs were aching.
I could see from the sun we were heading due south,
And I wondered which route we were taking.

Then something stirred at the edge of my vision,
That brought back the pain in my knees.
‘I don’t want to worry yer,’ said I, feeling wobbly,
‘But I think I just saw…walking trees!’
‘You did, master Ponso,’ said Kandral, ‘They’re angry,’
‘They’ll attack us if only they could.’
So we kept to the path and gave them a wide berth,
Keeping well away from the wood.
‘Them rocks don’t come to life, I hope,’
Said I, thinking maybe they might.
‘Not that I’ve seen—not yet,’ said Miss Rosa.
Even so, I kept them in sight.

By and by we came to another dry river
And a thought wandered into me head.
‘How did you find me?’ I asked Miss Rosa.
‘Well that wasn’t easy,’ she said.
‘But I found this,’ said Rosa, holding a dry-fly.
‘I figured you’d dropped it, you see.’
‘That meant you’d gone fishing so we had to find water.’
‘Because water is where you would be.’

We carried on walking, I watched the horizon
For signs of them walking trees.
But apart from the occasional lynx or lone wolf,
There was nothing to trouble me knees.
Then I glanced at the footpath and there to my horror,
Was a footprint, a big one what’s more.
I called to the gaffer to come back and see it;
It was just like one I’d seen before.

‘What is it?’ asked Kandral, drawing his weapons.
‘I think someone’s following,’ said I.
‘This print is the same as the one in the Lone-lands.’
Said Kandral,’You have a keen eye!’
‘It’s a half-orc,!’ I said, scanning the landscape,
‘Just like the one from before.’
‘He’s seen us, I think. He’s there in the distance.’
‘If there’s one, I bet there are more!’
‘Run for the camp!’ shouted Kandral, ‘And quickly!’
‘The orcs are hot on our trail!’

‘So we ran and we ran, but as we rounded the ridge-top
We saw somet than made us all quail!

Day XVIII Part 3
There on the road, looking out o’er the river,
The half-orc stood, next to his horse.
‘By Durin’s beard! he’s got here before us.’
‘He must be their scout, of course.’
‘Lucky for us he’s facing southward,’
‘We can’t risk him getting away,’
‘Or he’ll bring all the others down on our heads,’
‘So ready yourselves for the fray!’

With a mighty roar the dwarves sprang forwards
With Rosa and me in the rear.
She had a small club, a rabbit-hunter.
And showed not a smidgin of fear.
With a shout, the dwarves fell upon him,
And axe blows rained on his head.
And though he fought fiercely, he was clearly outnumbered;
And soon the half-man-orc lay dead.

We all gave a cheer but quickly subsided.
As the Gaffer had taken a blow.
He sank to his knees, hand clutching his stomach.
‘It’s not too deep…just a scratch, though…’
‘…I think it’s infected by that monster’s foul blade.’
‘We should hurry, the camp is at hand.’
So we helped him up and he limped down the valley,
Dripping fresh blood in the sand.

When we got to the camp, old Bob got to work.
With a salve for staunching the blood.
Then he did somet fancy with one of his stones;
It seemed to do Kandral some good.
I busied myself with cooking some Flounder
As no-one had ate much all day.
Then Bob’s stone flashed and the gaffer remarked:
‘That’s a handy spell, I say!’

Bob smiled and nodded and bandaged the wound
With a handkerchief made of fine silk.
I tasted the fish, added some pepper
And stirred in a ladle of milk.
Then Rosa produced a pie that she’d bought
From the hobbit here, Herward Took.
She tasted the fish and agreed it was grand
‘Oh Ponso, you’re such a good cook.’

Well the dwarves all agreed, but Kandral still simmered:
As I ladled the stew in his dish.
‘As you eat this,’ he said, ‘You’ll do well to remember,’
‘The risks that you took for some fish!’
I nodded, chastised but offered my reasons:
‘It’s probably the last for a while.’
‘I don’t know where we’ll find fish from now on.’
I was relieved when I noticed him smile.

‘I hope we shall never lose you again,’
‘And fish has to take second place.’
‘To your safety young Ponso, and that of your friends.’
He was right, putting me in my place.
We followed the flounder with Miss Rosa’s pie
And I started to feel quite replete.
Sat by the fire, bright stars overhead
And the flames gently warming my feet.

The Gaffer stayed sitting, his back to a wall
Occasionally feeling his side.
But the twitch of an eyebrow or spasmodic wince
Showed the pain he was trying to hide.
Danger had dogged every step we had taken
So far, and more lay ahead.
There was one thing needed saying, one thing I should do
Before I took to me bed.

I waved Rosa over and she sat down beside me.
‘I’ve something to ask you, you see…’
‘I need to be clear. I can’t come back with you.’
‘Even though you’ve done so much for me.’
‘But I know that the road ahead is a hard one,’
‘And many the dangers that wait.’
‘If you turned back tomorrow, I’d quite understand,’
‘And you should, before it’s too late.’

But Rosa just smiled and looked at me closely.
‘There’s one thing you seem to forget.’
‘I made a promise to your sister, Penina,’
‘A promise that’s unfulfilled yet.’
‘I said I would bring you back safe and sound to her.’
‘And that’s just what I mean to do.’
‘So enough of this talk of me leaving the company,’
‘Cause I’m not going home without you!’

Day XIX
I woke up so early, the sun was still yawning,
And I went off to find Herward Took.
As he’d promised to track down some mushrooms and taters,
At least he’d said that he’d look.
And in spite of the trouble I’d been in,
I was itching to cast out a line.
So I asked was there somewhere for fishing,
Not too far, as I hadn’t much time.

‘There is a good place just over the way there.’
‘Where once a river did flow.’
‘But now just a trickle and pools of clear water,’
‘I’ll show you where you should go.’
So an hour or two later, and burdened with fish,
I made my way back to the tent.
And cooked up a breakfast of fine perch fillets;
No one need know where I went.

The wonderful smell of fresh fishes
Soon roused the dwarves from their rest.
And one by one they came to the fire
For their breakfast, the meal that’s the best.
Where did you get these young Ponso?
Kandral asked, looking at me.
‘Are they from the ponds round here by chance?’
I said nothing, but poured out the tea.

Another dwarf joined us named Thorlaen.
A popular dwarf, by all counts.
For he’d brought us some ale and shared it around
And they quaffed it in huge amounts!
‘Have you been fishing?’ asked Rosa.
I made sure the Gaffer weren’t looking
Then gave her a nod and a wink and a nudge
And quickly got back to the cooking.

The dwarfs all got in a huddle,
And this Thorlaen asked of a key.
But Kandral held a finger up to his lips.
‘We’ll speak not of this here,’ said he.
‘I will brief you in full, once we’ve left these ruins.’
‘For the walls have ears, let it be.’
Well Rosa and I looked around us
But no ears on the walls could we see.

Then the dwarves set to work on their weapons
Sharpening and trying their edges.
While Rosa and I had stuff more important;
Looking for berries in hedges.
Thorlaen got out his full armour:
Breastplate, tin leggings and hat;
‘The biggest helm I’ve seen,’ said Rosa,
You could roast a whole chicken in that!’

Then it was time for us to leave camp
For the road that’s seldom taken.
But before we left, up came Herward.
With a sackful of veg, and some bacon!
And though I payed dearly for this hobbit fare
I was sure that I hadn’t been swindled;
I’d no way of knowing just what lay ahead
And our food stocks had seriously dwindled.

We passed through the gates in anticipation
Of what we might meet on the way.
But apart from some of them nasty black birds,
We saw nothing the rest of the day.
Ahead was a staircase, a great flight of steps;
It was such a long way to the top.
And we climbed and we climbed then climbed some more.
I was so tired I thought I would drop.

The dwarves were all eager to get to the top
For the sight they’d so long-awaited.
But when we got there, the view that we got,
Was not what they’d anticipated!
A stinking black pool, for the river was dammed.
Forming a sinister mere.
There was hardly a ripple on that ominous lake
And the sight brought none of us cheer.

There was no way ahead, for none would risk swimming
In water so fetid and black.
So away down the staircase we trudged in a line
Till once again we were back—
—Where we’d started before, on the old broken road;
We were already losing the light.
So we made us a camp atop a bare hill
And we all settled down for the night.

Day XX
I was up again early, before break of day,
And went for a wander around.
It was still as can be, not a breath stirred the trees
And even the birds made no sound.
The path was well marked and I went a short way 
Then I saw it led up to the lake.
So I turned myself round, back the way that I’d come,
There was no other footpath to take.

It was then I met Rosa, walking alone
She said that the dwarves all slept, still
But she’d woken up early and gone for a walk
When she saw me come over the hill.
As we passed by the camp, a cliff to the right
Revealed the mouth of a cave.
We paused and peered into the darkness within;
‘Let’s explore it,’ said I, feeling brave.

So we ventured inside and felt our way,
Till our eyes got used to the gloom.
Down a long narrow passage that entered, at last
A chamber, as big as a room.
Here a river ran by, fast and white, over rocks,
And we could hear a distant cascade.
As we scrambled upstream, a fierce lizard jumped out,
And I reached to my belt for the blade.

The worm snapped and snarled and finally ran off,
When I waved my knife in its face.
But more of them came to watch us pass by;
This really was a strange place!
We rounded the bend and a sight met our eyes,
That filled us both with awe
A huge waterfall that fell from above
into a wide pool, and what’s more…

All around us were rocks that glowed red and green,
Bathing the cavern in light.
And as the colours caught the water that fell,
It made a wonderful sight.
I got out my rod, began fishing right there,
And soon caught some Barbel and Dace.
It was teeming with fish of every sort.
‘We should talk to the dwarves ‘bout this place.’

We returned to the camp with the sun rising high,
But the dwarfies were still in their beds.
‘They need more sleep than me Gammer’ said Rosa,
‘They’re all such sleepy-heads.’
Now the sun was full up, the view from the camp
Was better than most that I’d seen.
We were higher by far than the quarry at Scary,
It fair out my head in a spin.

‘Come see this,’ I said, so Rosa approached,
And looked on the landscape below.
‘So wild…’ she said, ‘and not like the Shire.’
I replied, ‘So maybe now, you know…’
‘The reason I wanted to stay with the dwarves.’
Though I so miss the Shire, it’s true.’
‘I think so,’ said Rosa the cave and these views,’
‘Scary—but wonderful too.’

Breakfast was quick, once them dwarves were awake,
And I cooked up the fish that we’d caught.
I cooked up some Mullet with milk, spice and herbs;
Maybe the last time, I thought.
Apparently, Bob had gone on ahead,
To look out some goats for us all.
‘Why goats?’ I asked Kandral, ‘Are they for milking?’
And Kandral replied ‘Not at all!’

‘He’ll have gone to the stables in Moria,’ said he.
At this, I was proper perplexed.
‘But Kandral explained they used goats in the mines.
And I thought to myself ‘What next?’
‘I didn’t think goats could mine ore,’said Rosa,
‘I suppose it’s their horns that they use?’
‘No, no,’ said the Gaffer,’You’ve got it all wrong’
‘Either that, or you’re being obtuse.’

Well we both burst out laughing as Kandral explained
That the goats were for riding instead.
‘They are strong and pull carts, more trusty than mules,
‘And will go wherever they’re led.’
He explained that a carrot was all that was needed,
For your goat to do as you wish.
Now that got me worried, cause I’d bought carrots from Herward
And they were for cooking with fish!

‘Now Brothers,’ said Kandral, ‘before we set off…’
‘We should remember why we are here.’
‘We have come many miles in our quest, it is true.’
‘And now Moria’s West Gate draws near!’
‘The Mansions of Durin are lying in wait,’
‘But brothers, make no mistake!’
‘Khazad Dûm is a foul place! A dangerous place!’
—At this my knees started to shake.

‘Now, some of you know, and others do not,’
‘So to tell you, I think would be best.’
‘For now is the time to share with you all,’
‘The true reason behind our great quest!’ 
He reached in his jerkin and pulled out a key,
That shimmered and sparkled with light.
‘This key, I believe, holds a powerful secret,’
‘If the King of the Longbeards is right!’

‘We have been sent by King Dain to discover an axe,’
‘The legend of which we all know.’
‘For this is none other than the Great Axe of Durin!’
And the dwarfs all cheered: ‘Ho-ho!’
‘So deep into Khazad-Dûm we shall venture,’
‘There, in its depths, to search out—’
‘—The chest or the door or the lock that this fits.’
With Ponso ahead, as our scout!

Day XX - Into Moria!
At first I thought I‘d heard him wrong
When Kandral called me their scout.
‘I wonder if you can tell me,’ said I,
‘What this scouting is all about.’
The dwarves gave a chuckle, as if this was a joke
But the Gaffer looked serious enough.
‘You’ll be looking for legions of orcs and foul beasts.’
Said Midarin, ‘among other stuff.’

‘Miss Rosa,’ I asked, under my breath
‘Is that more or less than a score?’
Let me see,’ said Rosa counting out loud
’twenty, … a hundred… yes, more!’
‘We will not engage them, unless we must.’
Said Kandral, his beard all a-quiver.
‘We’ll descend by stealth and kill when it’s needed.’
At this, I started to shiver.

I’d agreed to do burgling, that much I believed,
But now it seems plans had been changed.
To take on more than a score of these orcs!
Well, to me it seemed quite deranged.
But the Gaffer meant business: ‘Let’s move ahead!’
He said, shouldering his pack.
‘We shall rest at the threshold! Now onwards we go!’
And he strode off without a look back!

Well, the dwarves all seemed pleased to be moving again;
And I packed up my pans and my kettle.
We walked down the hill and up to lake,
With its water as black as old metal.
On the way, we picked bluebells, Miss Rosa and I.
And gathered them into a posy.
And not for the first time, she gave me a smile,
Her fair cheeks, all dimpled and rosy.

As we rounded the corner, we came to a halt;
What we saw, caused general alarm;
Broken-down wagons, their goods strewn about.
What could have caused so much harm?
On the side of the cart was stencilled the name
Of the traders: Burnin and Co.
‘Ah, then it’s true,’ said the Gaffer, shaking his head,
‘We told Burnin that he shouldn’t go.’

A cry and a whistle brought us to our feet
‘What was that?’ asked Kandral, ‘that shout?’
‘Up here!’ came the voice from above all our heads,
I looked up, and could barely make out—
—the form of a dwarf, way up in the rocks.
Then I noticed the Gaffer’s broad smile.
‘You know him?’ I asked though it hardly seemed true.
‘Aye, though it’s been a fair while.’

‘He was with us when first we called on your home,’
‘Such a very long time ago.’
‘Ah yes!’ I declared, now seeing him clearly,’
Glad it was someone we know.
‘Who comes before Durin’s doorstep,’ he shouted,
‘Recruits or suppliers? Speak true!’
‘It’s Kandral,’ the Gaffer called in response,
‘And what a relief to see you!’

Rosamundi was curious how I should remember
‘With their beards, they all look the same.’
‘It’s not hard to recall him,’ I said, shaking my head,
‘And I haven’t forgotten his name.’
‘When one sets a table for breakfast, I said,
‘And every last place has been taken,’
‘One expects one’s guests to show some respect,’
‘And at least leave the host with some bacon!’

‘I had to make do with mushroom and eggs!’
‘For Breakfast! I mean, what could I say?’
‘And we set out on the road before seconds what’s more!’
‘I was starving the rest of the day.’
‘And look at me now! Thin as a rake!’
Said I, tapping my belly.’
‘Three notches my belt has been tightened, full three!’
‘Oh what I would do for some jelly?’

‘A good thing, young Ponso,’ said Thorlaen, for now,’
‘You’re much less likely to make’
‘A meal for an orc or goblin or troll.’
At this, me knees started to shake!
‘If that was a joke, ’twas in very poor taste,’
Said I, and Thorlaen chuckled.
Then Kandral called out ‘Get back on yer feet!’
When I did, my knees nearly buckled. 

The way to the threshold was not very nice
As the dwarves had to wade through green slime.
But being a Pondhopper, I lived up to my name!
And was across, with dry feet, in no time!
So, stinky and tired, we arrived at the threshold;
And the door shut behind with a boom!
Twenty days we had walked from the Shire to this place,
The dwarves’ ancient home, Khazad-Dûm!

Day XXI The Threshold
We paused on the threshold, inside the west door
Overawed by the size of the hall.
Above us, the ceiling, almost out of view
Its majesty silenced us all.
One or two of the dwarves knelt in reverence while Kandral
Went off to find us some food.
While I gazed around at the stonework and pillars.
‘Close your mouth, said Rosa, ‘it’s rude!’

Ahead, there were steps that led ever upwards.
‘We’re not going to climb them?’ I said.
‘Ah,’ replied Hosgrim, ‘This is only the threshold.’
‘There are much grander places ahead.’
Then a bleat reached my ears and I looked for its owner.
What I saw gave me such a surprise.
In the stables, no ponies, but big hairy goats;
I couldn’t believe my own eyes.

‘Are we going to ride them? You cannot be serious.’
And I looked a big goat in the eye.
The goat said nothing but seemed to be smiling.
So I asked the dwarf, Fith, could I try?
Well, as soon as I got myself into the saddle,
The goat gave a shudder and snorted.
And I hung on for dear life as it set off at a gallop.
And around that wide hall we cavorted.

‘Help me!’ I cried as the goat ran amok,
Trying its best to unseat me.
And the dwarves they all laughed and clutched at their sides.
But I was certain the beast wouldn’t beat me.
I grabbed hold of the reins and pulled them quite hard
But the goat went faster than ever
‘Hold on,’ called Rosa, looking concerned,
‘And don’t try anything clever.’

It was then that it threw me, the great untamed beast,
And I fell in a heap on the ground.
Then up spoke Kandral. ’That was careless,’ said he
‘You shouldn’t just go prancing round!’
Well the dwarves all laughed loudly and my face was so red
Only Rosa showed any concern.
I could see that the goats were not like Shire ponies
It was clear that their trust I must earn.

Then Kandral explained why he’d bought up some carrots.
For goats liked carrots, he said.
Though I thought it a waste, I didn’t complain,
For the goat seemed more placid when fed.
I took the goat back and asked for a refund,
Old Fith looked terribly pained.
‘What is this place?’I asked, gazing around.
‘It’s the threshold,’ Kandral explained.

‘A threshold?’ said I ‘Like a doorstep or porch?’
‘Cause them stairs look one heck of a hike.’.
‘If that’s so,’ said I, half to myself,
‘I wonder what the rest of it’s like!’ 
‘Well that’s for tomorrow,’ said Kandral to me,
‘For now, we should get us some rest.’
While the dwarves lay their bedrolls upon the hard floor,
I thought I’d do what I do best.

I found some bunks away in the corner
That looked nice and comfy to me.
And I asked around till I found me a dwarf
And struck up a bargain, you see.
For the rest of the fish that I hadn’t yet cooked,
He let me sleep there for the night.
He even managed to find me a pillow
And tucked me in, all nice and tight!

As I lay there looking at the ceiling above,
Lit with a shimmering light,
I said to myself, ‘You’re lucky young Ponso,’
‘To find such a berth for the night.’
I could hear the others all grumbling and mumbling
About having to sleep on the stone.
And me? I just pulled up my blankets,
Happy to sleep on my own.

Day XXII
I woke to a general kerfuffle.
It seemed that the goats had ate
All of the stuff the Gaffer had bought
And we hadn’t had breakfast, not yet.
So we looked at what we had in our bags
It didn’t amount to much.
All I could find was two dozen pies
Ten tarts , some cooked fish and such.

‘That should last us a day or two,’
Said Kandral, looking relieved.
But to me there seemed hardly enough
For a breakfast or two: I was peeved.
‘I told you them goats were evil,’ I said.
‘And now I’ve been shown to be right.’
‘When we buy in some food at the next place we go,’
‘We should hide it away for the night.’

Well Kandral was all for making a move
‘Without breakfast?’ I said, ‘No way!’
‘I have some Flounder that’s cooked,to heat up.’
‘It’ll not take long, if I may?’
Well, the Gaffer he hummed and hahed quite a bit
But at last he relented and said.
‘Very well, form a queue to pick up your fish.’
‘But be quick, for the road waits ahead.’

As I served Rosamundi she seemed quite distracted.
She stared up at the ramp overhead.
So I followed her gaze. ‘You see him?’ she asked.
‘He’s been watching us,’ she said.
Well the dwarf caught my eye and began to descend.
In a measured, deliberate way.
He wore heavy armour, on his back, a great shield;
And his hair and his beard were dark grey.

The gaffer, he hailed him with a bow and a greeting
And this strange dwarf, he did the same.
And though introductions were made, as is usual,
This dwarf never told us his name.
‘What brings you here, to the Great Halls of Durin?’
Asked Kandral, looking bemused.
In reply said the dwarf: ‘There are no heroes…’
‘Only survivors.’ which left us confused.

Well, Kandral went on about how we were meeting
A trader to sell us some food.
And asked if this strange dwarf would help us to find him;
But the fellow seemed awfully rude.
‘I have traveled from the East to get me thus far.’
‘And I wonder why westrons have come.’
The Gaffer just asked again if he’d help us.
And offered him quite a large sum.

‘It might be,’ said the dwarf, ‘I can show you the way.’
‘You will find it quite safe, Dolven-view.’
‘Though the roads are beset with dangers, be sure.’
From his face I could see he spoke true.
So we gathered our things and the dwarves donned their armour.
But Rosa and I hadn’t any.
‘We can buy some,’ said Kandral, ‘when next there are merchants.’
‘Though it may cost us a pretty penny.’

Then came the business of making a bargain
For goats to carry us all.
With two yearlings for Rosamundi and me.
Though even these weren't small.
We bounced off down the track, hanging on for dear life
After Kandral had told us just how
We could use Kuzzy-dull words to go left or right
Though my goat carried on, anyhow.

We hadn’t gone far, when we had to dismount
For the Gaffer’d seen goblins ahead.
He ordered two dwarves to look after us hobbits
‘They have no armour,’ he said.
I took out my bow, and Rosa, her tea-tray,
In case we got took unawares.
But the dwarves fought them swiftly and soon had them beaten
And I hoped that we’d have no more scares.

So back on the goats and back up the track
We followed each other in line.
For the way was so narrow with deep drops beside us;
But the goats seemed to manage just fine.
Then just by sheer luck we came on a camp place
With a group of merchants and such.
And we bought some provisions and other dwarf vittles
Surprised that they didn’t cost much.

The dwarves here told us that Dolven View
Was really, very close by.
But we needed a rest and the goats, they did too
And I felt in need of a pie.
Then Kandral he beckoned for us to join him
‘I’ve a surprise for you hobbits!’ he said.
‘The traders here have cooked cave-claw skewers.’
‘They want to be sure we’re well-fed.’

‘Cave-claw?’ I asked, ‘Aren’t those the creatures’
‘We saw eating beetles before?’
‘They are!’ beamed Kandral, ‘And so very tasty!’
‘Here Ponso, I’ve saved you a claw!’
Well, it’s hard to describe the taste of a cave claw.
Not like chicken, nor beef,
Or lamb or coney or anything decent.
And it’s stringy and sticks in your teeth!

‘Its quite…strong is the flavour,’ I said, trying hard
Not to sound ungrateful or rude.
‘Aye,’ said Kandral: ‘and filling and wholesome!’
‘The very best dwarrow food!’
Well I wasn’t quite sure how to get out of seconds.
But Kandral had helped me, I saw.
‘Ah, filling it is! In a way like no other.’
‘I really can’t eat any more!’

Well this surprised Kandral, he’d not seen a hobbit
Refuse second helpings before.
But I waited a while, till he wasn’t looking
Then picked up my bag from the floor.
I whispered to Rosa, who was chewing quite slowly,
‘I know it’s an awful waste,’
‘Of food for them dwarfies, but chuck out the cave-claw’
‘I think coney pie’s more our taste!’

Day XXII - evening
Over dinner, the dwarves talked at some length—
Of the goblins, defeated before.
‘We made quite a dent in their numbers,’ said Hroskold.
‘Though I fear there are thousands more.’
It was then that we noticed our strange guide had gone.
And no-one had seen him decamp.
‘Last time that I saw him,’ said Thaosli at length.
Was after that last goblin camp.

‘How can we trust him if he just ups and goes?’
Said Thaosli, taking a seat.
‘I hope you haven’t paid him up front.’
‘We’ll need all our gold to buy meat.’
Well I thought it was odd that this chap upped and went,
So I resolved to have a look round.
And I had the strange feeling we were being observed,
As I looked for his tracks on the ground.

The dwarves were discussing, at length, their plans
And whether to stay here or go,
When a distant movement caught my eye.
Was it our guide? I couldn’t be sure, so—
I moved into the shadows to get a good view
Through the line of stone pillars ahead.
Then again, a quick movement, this time I was sure!
Someone standing among the dark webs.

‘Stay here,’ said Kandral,grabbing his axe,
And the others all got up as well.
‘Be careful,’ said I, ‘He’s hiding in cobwebs.’
‘Hiding or stuck, I can’t tell.’
‘I’ve no need to hide, not least from you dwarrows!’
Said the dwarf, stepping into the light.
In the pale crystals’ gleam we could see him more clearly;
It was our missing way-scout all right!

Just then, two pale circles lit up in a corner
A goblin-scout! what should I do?
No time to tell Kandral, I just drew me bow
And the arrow flew straight and hit true.
I looked round for more but this one was alone,
Or had been, for now it lay dead.
The dwarves all stopped talking and looked in amazement.
‘That was quite a good shot!’ Hroskold said.

It was clear that this goblin had followed behind us,
Meaning to plan an attack.
So we set off straight way for Dolven-view.
And I noticed our way-scout held back.
So did Kandral for he turned and addressed the old chap:
‘Master dwarf you are welcome with us…’
‘But we can’t have you sneaking about like that,’
‘We have worries enough here, as it is.’

Well the strange dwarf just chuckled and kept on behind us
As we turned and ascended a ramp.
And soon a dwarf work-camp came into view.
Lit up by a row of dim lamps.
And though it was steep and the ground it was slippy
Them goats were sure footed, it’s true.
And we tried to ignore the sheer drop down beside us;
If I fell, there’d be nowt I could do!

The view from the top was like none that I’d seen;
The ceiling was way out of sight.
‘This is the biggest cave I have seen’
Said Rosa, ‘Just look at the height!’
‘Not a cave! It’s a Delving.’ said Hroskold quite gruffly.
Dismounting to look at the view.
And looking around at the finely wrought stonework,
I could see that this dwarrow spoke true.

But the thing that amazed us much more than the carvings,
When once we’d arrived at the top,
Was the row of soft beds and the bright blazing cook fire;
This was truly the best place to stop!
So while we chose beds, the Gaffer went searching
For food to cook for our supper.
He came back with beans which made a grand stew.
And we washed it all down with a cuppa.

Well the talk turned to goblins and Rosa went quiet,
Just sitting there, staring ahead.
I followed her gaze, but ahead there was nothing.
‘Are you feeling all right?’ I said.
‘Oh my!’ said Rosa, looking quite troubled.
‘Did none of you see what I saw?’
‘That dwarf who was with us, just… faded away.’
‘He was sat by the fire, just before.’

Well this caused a commotion and pulling of beards.
For while we had been so engrossed.
In talking of goblins, none saw him leave.
Rosa said, ‘Do you think he’s a ghost?’
Then up piped Thaosli, his eyes growing wider.
‘There’s a matter you all have to hear.’
‘He told me something I couldn’t believe—’
‘For twenty-odd years he’d been here.’

‘Impossible!’ said Skarrin, wrinkling his nose.
‘No-one could be here that long!’
‘Perhaps he had died here,’ said Thorlaen, quite gravely
And has been haunting the Halls all along!’
Then the Gaffer held up his hand, and we quietened.
He said: ‘There was something I’d seen.’
‘That I couldn’t make sense of, but now, on reflection,’
‘Might reveal who our way-scout had been.’

‘The hauberk he wore ‘neath this breastplate; it carried.’
‘A symbol I’ve seen once before.’
‘A shield—THE shield of Durin the Deathless.’
‘And of that, now I am sure.’
‘That symbol of old has not been used,’
‘For a thousand years or more.’
‘And only the guard of the Deathless might wear it.’
‘That was the symbol he bore.’

‘Hah!’ said Skarrin, ‘No doubt it was looted.’
‘From some store house this dwarrow had found.’
‘Well that was the thing,’ said Kandral quite gravely
Fixing his eyes on the ground.
‘Not since nineteen-eighty has that symbol been seen,’
‘Yet the one on his hauberk was new.’
‘Does that make him a ghost? Or is it a hoax?’
‘I’ll leave that judgement to you.’

Day XXIII
I was feeling all mellow after such a fine meal,
When the Gaffer came to me and said.
‘We’ve a job in the morn for you, Master Ponso.’
‘There’s a goblin-camp just ahead.’
‘We need you to scout it, with Thorlaen and Hroskold.’
‘It looks far too big to attack.’
‘So we need to make sure there’s a way we can pass it’
‘As for sneaking, it seems you have the knack.’

‘Well I do,’ I agreed, ‘And I’m happy to do it.’
‘But with dwarrow in armour? Now look.’
‘They’d make enough racket to wake up the goblins.’
‘And even old Bullroarer Took!’
Well Kandral he chuckled and just shook his head.
‘They’ll be dressed in their best scouting-gear;’
‘It’s made of soft leather and well-oiled chain mail,’
‘They’ll be quiet—you’ll have nothing to fear!’

But despite reassurance, I didn’t sleep well.
Dreaming of goblins and orcs;
And me trying to fight ‘em dressed only in breeks
And wielding a couple of forks!
So up I got myself up in the dead of the night
And went off in search of some flounder.
It was not a pond or a stream that I sought
But after much searching, I found her!

An old dwarrow mistress with flowers in her beard
Who could procure, I’d heard tell
The finest ingredients a cook might desire;
And she had twenty flounder to sell!
The fish, they were fresh and we agreed a fair price.
Though more than I wanted to pay.
And she threw in some parsley and other fine herbs
So I got down to work right away.

By first light, all the fish were in fillets and ready,
And I’d mixed up the herbs in a paste.
It helped take my mind off what lay ahead,
When I thought of it, how my heart raced!
And I thought t’would be better to take a quick look
Before the dwarves woke from their sleep.
So I crept down the steps at the back of the camp
And peered over the edge to the deeps.

The goblins were camped further down, out of sight
But what was the problem, I saw,
There were scouts up on poles watching over the path
They would have to be dealt with, for sure!
So I hid in the shadows to get a close look
And crept up to the base of a post.
It was shoddily built, held together with rope
And twelve inches wide at the most!

It was then that the germ of a plan came to me.
And I had to be sure not to laugh.
As I made my way back to the dwarf camp above.
Now I knew how to make a safe path.
Back at camp, the dwarves were up and about
And trying to find things to eat
Among roots and dried veggies and other old stuff;
And none of em had any meat.

‘Your breakfast this morning is fresh Flounder Fllet!’
I said, concealing a smile.
And I warmed up my pans and melted the butter.
‘It will only take me a while.’
Then Kandral turned up with a bowl full of mash.
‘What’s that you have there?’ Rosa asked.
‘It’s mashab,’ said Kandral handing her some.
And Rosa looked at it, aghast.

‘What exactly is “mashab”?’ she said to the Gaffer.
‘Well, it’s hard for me to translate.’
‘It’s a puree of entrails of glow worm, with roots.’
‘Here, let me get you a plate.’
Well Rosa turned pale and looked quite perturbed.
‘Am I right? Is it ‘entrails’ you said?’
At this Kandral beamed, ‘Yes, they’re the best part.’
‘Just the thing with a hunk of fresh bread!’

‘I’ll stick with the fish,’ said Rosa looking queasy.
‘If I have any appetite now.’
‘Fish? There are fish left?’ asks Halgrun surprised.
‘Not left overs, fresh-caught. Don’t ask how!’
‘Then I’ll have some, by Durin, I’ll have some indeed.’
And I filled up his bowl with the flounder.
For the first time in weeks I was feeling quite full
And my tummy, a little bit rounder.

Then the breakfast all cleared, we packed up our things;
It was time for the business at hand.
It was then I took Kandral aside to discuss
The approach I’d carefully planned.
Well the Gaffer he chuckled and twiddled his beard
‘By Mahal, you’ve plenty of pluck!’
‘If you pull this off, we’ll have nothing to fear.’
‘Young Ponso I wish you good luck.’

So we set off together, but the dwarrows held back
Ready to aid me if needed.
And I crept out of sight to the first goblin spy-pole
Right up to the base, unimpeded.
I pulled out my knife and hacked at the ropes;
They came apart easy as pie.
A sharp blow to the base with the hand-axe and Bam!
The goblins fell off with a cry!

One down, two to go! I could see that so far,
No goblins had noticed us here.
So onwards I crept to the second spy-pole
With only a smidgen of fear.
The second came down with just a light tap.
‘Just like scrumping apples!’ said I.
The third was much further and well out of sight
It was then somet tugged at my eye.

By the wall, in the shadows there stood a young dwarrow,
He’d been watching us see to the scouts.
And beckoned us over; so off we all went
Keeping an eye roundabouts.
He said not a word but pointed beyond
The top of the stairs to the right.
A goblin was scanning the path right ahead
So we all ducked down, out of sight.

At length, he passed by and we sighed with relief,
So Wigfast, the dwarf we had found
Bade us good luck and made off for the camp
We set out, keeping close to the ground.
When we got to the third, I could see with dismay
That the area was bathed in soft light.
And between us and the pole stood a burly orc-guard
There was no way ahead, but to fight.

‘I’ll try to sneak past him,’ I said, feeling shaky
‘Cause the orc looked quite strong, and fat.
‘If I get into trouble, I’ll give you a whistle.’
‘But I hope it won’t come to that.’
I crept ever forward and the orc didn’t budge.
And as I stepped into the light.
The orc turned to face me! He pulled out a huge blade
There was nowt but to run or to fight!

I pulled back an arrow and let fly at the orc
But the arrow just skimmed by his head
So I dropped the bow and let out a whistle.
And pulled out my hand-axe instead.
What happened next I can’t really tell you
As everything round me went black
And when I came to, the orc lay, defeated;
And I was flat out on my back!

Day XXIII continued
I saw a circle of anxious faces
‘You’ve taken a blow to the head.’
Said Kandral, ‘So just lay there, quite still,’
‘I don’t know how you’re not dead!’
Then I pulled off my cap to show underneath
On top of my bushy black hair,
Was a pie, in its tin, now smashed all to bits
Well, how all them dwarfies did stare!

Recovered and thankfully, back on me feet
I made for the last goblin spy.
And this one came down just as fast as the others.
Thanks to my hatful of pie.
The way being, clear we scuttled along,
Until we arrived at last
To a tall dwarven building, its rooms lined with shelves.
And we all nipped inside, good and fast!

Now, Thorlaen and Hroskold stood guard by the door,
As the rest of us took a look round.
The shelves were all dusty and some had been smashed;
Their books lay forlorn on the ground.
It was clearly a library, as big as Ole Ron’s.
And much larger than the Old Smials
The dwarves were excited among such a find
But I kept an eye out meanwhiles.

At the back of the room was an old oaken chest,
Bound up with iron and brass.
I tugged at the lid but it moved not an inch
So I said ‘Come over here, lass’.
Both Rosa and I, we tugged at the lid
But it stayed so stubbornly stuck
We were going to give up, but I had an odd feeling
This coffer just might change our luck

Then up came old Thorlaen and looked at the box
‘It’s probably locked’ said he.
‘These dwarf-locks are crafted with great skill and care.’
‘So it’ll stay shut, without the right key.’
Then along came the Gaffer who peered at the lid.
‘I think I can see some small cracks.’
‘This one looks wider, perhaps I can splinter’
‘The oak with the blade of my axe.’

So Kandral took aim and swung at the lid;
With his task he was clearly immersed.
But I tugged at his sleeve and whispered to him,
‘Master Kandral, try your key first!’
‘We have no key…’ said Thorlaen bemused.
Mister K, looking sheepish replied:
‘We do have a key; it’s the reason we’re here.’
‘Now let’s see what’s hidden inside.’

But the key didn’t’ fit! So instead, Rosa tried.
To push her hand through the thin slit.
And she rummaged around inside the old chest
‘Aha’ she said, ‘I have it!’
She pulled out her hand, and in it a stone,
Flat, round and covered in writing.
‘Let me see that,’ said Kandral, ‘reading the runes,
‘Now this is really exciting!’

Just then Master Ryga came up with a book.
‘In here there’s map of some sort.’
‘Though the writing is faded, you may just make it out,’
Said the Gaffer, ‘Well, who would have thought?’
‘The runes on the stone read plainly enough’
‘It reads “Treasure Stone” if I’m right.’
‘And this is a treasure map that you have found.’
‘Let’s get it out into the light!’

Well the Gaffer’s eyes nearly popped out of his head!
As he made out the spidery text.
‘It says, “By the stone, the Axe will be found”’
‘I wonder what we should do next?’
‘This stone must have in it some kind of a spell.’
‘A spell for finding the axe.’
‘But how to unlock it? Now that is the thing?’
‘And uncover the map’s hidden facts?’ 

‘Just a minute,’ I said, ‘But we’re jumping ahead.’
'It says here “by the axe”, see?’
‘Now, before we start looking for magic and spells,’ 
‘The question seems simpler to me.’
‘Do you find this old axe by means of the stone?’
‘For that is the sense you’ve contrived.’
‘Or is “by the stone” meant to be read’
‘In a way more simply derived?’

‘You’re speaking in riddles, young Hobbit,’ said he,
‘It is clear that this stone is the key.’
‘It’s a wonderful find, no ordinary stone…’
‘Yes, yes,’ I said, ‘I agree.’
‘But the question I have is simple enough,’
‘I hope you will give it a try.’
‘Do you use the stone to find the axe?’
‘Or by the stone—nearby?’

‘By Mahal!’ said Kandral,’You mean that it’s here?’
‘Or was,’ I said looking around.
‘For it looks very much like someone has searched,’
‘—smashed shelves, and books on the ground.’
‘No, maybe it points to something quite else.’
‘In here we may find a clue.’
So we set about searching in every last corner.
Though I really was flummoxed, it’s true.

I went back to the chest and peered at it’s lid
But I could see nothing at all.
There was little to see on the chest or the ground;
Then my eyes were drawn up to the wall.
Above the old chest, in a dusty old frame,
Was a painting, blackened with time.
A dwarf by a gate, with an axe in his hand;
So I started to wipe off the grime.

‘Where’s this?’ I asked Kandral, calling him over.
‘East Gate, it looks like,’ he said.
Then Kandral looked close at the armour-clad dwarf
‘By Mahal—what’s that on his head?’
‘The Helm of Durin the third! Then it’s true?’
‘This is clearly the King!’
‘And the axe in his hand…is that what we seek?’
‘It’s so grimy, I can’t see a thing.’

‘It that’s true,’ I said, ‘It’s maybe a clue.’
‘If you look at the figure’s left hand…’
‘He points down below him, now what might that mean?’
‘I wish I could understand.’
Just then the ground rumbled and pieces of stone 
Began to fall down all around!
‘We need to depart!’ shouted Kandral, ‘And now!’
And we ran out across trembling ground!

Day XXIII - At the Crossroads
​It seems that the orcs in the nearby camp
Had found out we’d knocked down their towers
They weren't too happy, so we turned and ran
As the arrows rained on us, in showers.
We were lucky, it seems, for they were short-ranged;
We escaped by the skin of our teeth.
As we rounded the corner, we all stopped and gazed
At the bottomless chasm, beneath.

‘Don’t look down, Miss Rosa’ I said, feeling dizzy.
‘Too late,’ she said, ‘I looked!’
‘And I wish that I hadn’t; If down there you fell,’
‘I’m sure that your goose would be cooked.’
On the rise up ahead, stood a solitary dwarf
And as we approached him, he waved.
‘By Durin, It’s Sigurmar! He’ll know where to go.’
‘Thank Mahal! We’ll all be saved!’

‘Lord Kandral,’ said Sigurmar bowing so deeply,
‘Your party’s a welcome sight.’
‘No time,’ replied Kandral, ‘There are orcs all around.’
‘We need a safe place for the night.’
‘We are bound to the pass away to the East.’
‘Perhaps you can show us the way?’
But the dwarf shook his head. ‘There’s a camp to the North.’
‘No point going eastwards, I’d say.’

‘Very well,’ said the Gaffer. ‘I hope we can rest there.’
‘It’s safe enough now,’ Sigurmar said.
‘And I’ve cleared out the way, so we won’t have no trouble.’
‘We just follow the road up ahead.’
Then up spoke Ryga. ‘It’s near Durin’s Way?’
‘Not far; by the Crossroads it’s found.’
‘You’ll have all you need there, there’s beds and provisions.’
‘And I can get us all there, safe and sound.’

Crossing over a square onto a high bridge
We were met with a wonderful sight.
Two statues of dwarf heads, with water for beards
Tumbling and glistening with light.
‘It’s the Dwarf-Lords’ Gate, you can look at it later,’
He said, crossing over the span.
‘We’ll be safer this side, so let’s not delay.’
‘Look lively! As fast as you can!’

Once over the bridge we entered a hall,
With a ceiling, all but out of sight.
We slowed our pace but my knees were still shaking,
From thinking that we’d have to fight.
Then Rosa, she nudged me and pointed ahead.
What I saw made me gasp in surprise.
Two bats, but bigger than any I’d seen;
I couldn’t believe my own eyes.

We crept by the bats and down a stone staircase
Into another grand hall.
Said Sigurmar, ’It’s safe here, I’ll just double back,’
‘To check we weren’t followed at all.’
‘You all go on; the Chamber’s not far’
I looked at the passage ahead.
‘I can’t believe how far we’ve come’
‘Yet still it goes on,’ I said.

‘We’re just past the entrance, said Kandral,
‘There’s a long way to go if I’m right.’
So we crossed the square to the Chamber beyond,
And were met with a most welcome sight.
There were barrels of ale and crates of fresh food
And the vendor had plenty to spare.
So with my portable pantry restocked
I was ready to cook a meal there.

In the midst of this room was a circular hole,
And a strange set of chains and a crank.
‘What’s this for?’ I asked, peering inside
‘Cause the air rising up smells quite dank.’
‘Keep away from that hole,’ said Sigurmar, concerned.
‘It’s a well, as deep as can be.’
‘We’ve not found the bottom of that one, not yet,’
‘So be careful now! Listen to me!’

I dropped in a pebble, hoping to gauge
The depth of the well from the sound.
So I waited a while and then a while longer
And all the rest gathered around.
‘I ain’t heard no splash,’ said Rosa at length,
‘This well’s got no bottom,’ said I.
‘We need somet bigger, let’s try with a hobbit,’
Said Thorlaen, a glint in his eye.

Then the Gaffer came back from his talk with the guards.
They’d said they had ale to share.
So the dwarves all cheered and each took a flagon
From one of the many kegs there.
‘This ale is good,’ said Kandral, ‘Try some.’
‘It’s so strong and will make your beard curl!’
‘And what if you don’t have a beard?’ said I,
Thinking I’d give it a whirl.

‘Will it make my toes curl instead?’ I asked
As I picked up a tankard of beer.
‘Or maybe the hair on your feet,’ said the Gaffer.
‘The guards say they brew it right here.’
Well I lifted the drink to me nose, gave a sniff,
Not sure if this ale was for me.
‘Time to dwarf up, young Pono,’ said Hosgrim
And the others all drew near to see.

So I took a deep breath and lifted the tankard
To me mouth and took a full draught.
Next think that I knew I was flat on my back.
My goodness! How them dwarves laughed.
I got back on me feet, holding onto the table
Not sure what had had come over me.
‘I think that’s enough dwarow ale for this hobbit,’
‘I’ll make me a nice cup of tea.’

Just then, midst the laughter, three of our scouts
Came back with serious faces.
They’d gone ahead to map out our path
And identify dangerous places.
They'd found a library; this one further east,
And full of cave crawlers and such.
‘There’s not much to see between here and there,’
‘And by goblins, we weren't troubled much.’

But there in the library they’d found the bodies
Of some dwarves that had scouted before.
And this news was met with a shaking of heads
And much wagging of beards, what’s more.
‘Well there’s naught we can do for them poor souls,’
Said Kandral shaking his head.
‘But we have to be on our mettle tomorrow.’
‘I think that it’s time for our beds.’

Day XXIV
I was up good and early, needing fresh fish,
And I still hadn’t found a good stream.
With a nice bit of flounder I could make up a dish,
‘Cause flounder and bacon’s a dream!
It was then that I noticed new crates had arrived
And the grocer was shaking his head
‘I asked em fer tatties' he said, ‘carrots too,’
‘But look what they sent me instead.’

‘Flatties, they sent,’ said he, ‘Ruddy Flounder!’
‘Now what am I going to do?’
And I thought to meself, ‘Now then Ponso me lad,’
‘This error is lucky for you!’
‘Flatfish?’ said I, looking into the box,
‘Strange looking critters fer sure.’
‘I suppose you could eat em, if that’s all there were,’
But not like a tasty cave-claw.’

‘There just fit for bait,’ the grocer, he said.
‘Now a cave-claw makes a fine meal.’
‘Well if it’s taters you're after,’ said I feeling clever,
‘I think we can do us a deal.’
‘I’ve a sack left unopened I think I can spare,’
Said the grocer, ‘You have? Well, that’s grand!’
‘So maybe,’ I said, ‘For these taters right here,’
‘I could take a few fish off your hands.’

‘A few?’ said the grocer, ‘Why not take the box?’
‘They sure are no use to me.’
‘It’s tatties I needed; it’s tatties you have,’
‘That sounds a good deal to me!’
So we shook hands on that; I suppressed a wide grin
Feeling that I’d come out best.
So I bought me some bacon, to cook with the fish
And hurried off back to the rest.

At the camp I found all the dwarves round the well,
Trying to fathom its bottom.
They were ready for food, so I cooked ‘em all fish,
And Kandral, he asked where I’d got ‘em.
‘Ah well,’ said Thorlaen, a grin on his face
‘We were told that this well wasn’t dry.’
‘So we lowered him down on the end of a rope,’
With his rods, his luck for to try!’

Well the other dwarfs giggled and Kandral laughed too.
‘That serves me right for asking.’
‘But it seems to me we’ll never deplete,’
‘Your supply of fish everlasting!’
So, with breakfast over I looked for some paper
Not wanting to pack the fish loose.
In my bag were some papers I’d picked up before
As I thought they might be of some use.

One was quite old and covered in writing,
And I held it up to the light.
No matter which way I held up the paper,
It made no sense, try as I might.
The dwarves were discussing the route they should take
And Sigurmar suggested a way
I heard the word ‘garden’ and started to listen
To what this dwarf had to say.

‘That way is safer, I think, and good,’
‘To have a nice change of scenery.’
‘There are reports of herbs there that might be of aid,’
‘And the hobbits would welcome the greenery.’
My ears pricked up: ‘A garden?’ I said.
‘Perhaps we will find some fresh veg!’
I found some brown paper to wrap up the fish
And spread it out on a stone ledge.

‘Just a minute,’ said Kandral, glancing at me.
‘What’s that paper you had in your hand?’
‘What, this?’ I asked, pulling it out
‘It was lying around in the sand,’
‘In that library we went to, the place with the books,’
‘I thought I could use it y’see.’
‘But it’s covered with doodles I thought it was scrap…’
‘Here you are; it’s no use to me.’

Well Kandral, he read it and the dwarves gathered round
Waiting for him to translate.
‘It’s writ in old Moria runes, ‘ said the Gaffer,
‘A style not much used of late.’
His lips mouthed the words and his eyes opened wide
‘This is quite a rare find.’
‘It tells of how Ongli the Smith forged an axe!’
‘An axe of unique kind.’

‘An axe made of mithril, forged for the King!’
‘So strong and yet so light.’
‘And Durin the Deathless had built him a forge.’
‘But hidden away, so he might…’
‘Work there in secret behind a locked door,’
‘With a smart trick to open, you see.’
‘And the trick will be written in Cat -tubs aha!’
(At least that’s how it sounded to me!)

‘That’s a lot of fuss for an axe,’ I said,
‘It’s not like there’s any trees here.’
But the dwarves seemed excited about this news
As one they all gave a cheer.
‘Well that sets our path. We must find this forge.’
Said Kandral, his eyes aglow.
‘And to find the forge, we should learn this trick.’
‘So to Cat-tubs Aha we must go!’

Day XXIV continued
We gathered our things and the dwarves donned their armour,
And I made a flask of tea
For Rosa who slept still , for she was exhausted;
So we decided to let her be.
The way seemed deserted so off we set, quickly,
And it seemed that we need not worry.
So we paused to admire a marvellous statue
Though Sigurmar urged us to hurry.

We climbed up the steps and over the bridge,
With Sigurmar pushing us on.
He was right, as it happens, ‘cause Kuinn caught sight
Of a shadow ahead in the rubble.
And the Gaffer asked me if I could see better
And whether this shadow spelled trouble.
I squinted ahead and the shadow looked back
Then turned and started to sway
‘It’s a goblin..in range,’ I said to the Gaffer
‘And now he’s walking away.’

‘There’s another,’ said Thorlaen pointing ahead.
‘Then they know we are here,’ Kandral sighed.
‘Let the hobbit prove his aim,’ said Kuinn, ‘and now!’
‘Aye. Get the goblin!,’ Kandral replied.
So I steadied my stance and lifted my bow;
Drew the string all the way to my chin.
The arrow flew straight and the Goblin fell dead.
But then two others rushed in.

The dwarves swung their axes and dispatched the foul imps
‘Here’s the library! Let’s get inside.’
Said Kandral, ‘before more goblins appear,’
‘At least in there we can hide.’
This library was bigger than the last one we saw.
But infested with odd little pests.
I watched them all scrabbling and ambling around,
And noticed that some had built nests.

They were bigger than rats but smaller than badgers,
With huge claws on both their front feet.
‘They are deep-claws, young Ponso,’ Kandral said, when I asked.
‘And can you cook them, to eat?’
‘Their flesh is quite fatty, their skins are quite thick.’
‘But I think you’ve already tasted…’
‘Cave-claw skewers, when first we arrived here.’
And I remembered the food I had wasted.

It was then that I saw a broken plaque
Lying inside the main door.
Though split in two, the halves matched each other
When I laid them out on the floor.
The words were quite faded but Kandral could read them
‘Katûb-zahar! That is the name,’
‘Of the place that was writ in that paper you found,’
‘Let me look at that entry again.’

‘The door to the forges will be secret and hidden.’
‘Opened only with some trick.’
‘So that is what we seek in this place.’
‘So split up, and start searching, quick!’
‘I’ll take care of these beasts,’ Sigurmar said
Climbing up to the top floor.
And we all started searching among dusty tomes,
With two dwarves watching the door.

I found an old chest, but the lid was stuck fast.
So I carried on searching around.
But the books that were left were out of my reach
So I stuck to the ones on the ground.
Then I noticed that Halgrun had used the old chest
To climb up and reach the top shelves.
But despite all our efforts, not one of us found
A thing of use to ourselves.

‘This is hopeless,’ said Halgrun, sat down on the chest.
‘We could search here for more than a week.’
‘There are so many books, and all of them huge.’
‘Our chance of success seems bleak.’
‘Just a minute,’ said Kandral, walking across.
‘What about this little box?’
‘Why is it shut, and what is inside?’
He bent down to look at its locks.

‘I wonder,’ he mused, reaching inside his shirt,
And lifting the chain o’er his head.
To all our surprise the key gave a click.
‘Let’s see what’s inside it,’ he said.
Inside was a strongbox which easily opened
To reveal a small paper inside.

But before he could read it, Sigurmar called
‘Enemies coming! Let’s hide.’
Kuinn and Sigurmar fought off the goblins
But shouted that we should leave fast
And Kandral, in awe, read the words on the paper
It seemed that we’d found it at last.
'Night has come, foes surround us,’ Kandral began,
‘Zigilburk must be protected.’

‘The axe of Durin, we must take away,’
‘To where it may lay, undetected.’
‘We shall hide the axe where it cannot be found,’
‘By the stone where the stars first shone.’
‘Deep in the Child of Mahal, it says.’
‘But the rest of the text has gone!
‘We really should hurry,’ said Halgrun alarmed.
‘We can discuss this once we are out.’
‘There’s a party of scouts gathering outside.’
‘And goblins are all about.’

‘Then we move, said Kandral, ‘silent and swift.’
‘Where to?’. ‘Sigurmar asked.
’To safety,’ said Kandral, ‘so lead the way out.’
Sigurmar said, ‘We’d better move fast.’
Outside four goblin-scouts stood in our path,
And I readied my bow for attack.
Sigurmar’s arrow flew true but mine, it fell short
And I ducked from the spear he threw back.

The goblin, it charged me before I recovered
And I got me a bash on the head.
But I pulled out my knife and slashed at the goblin,
And soon the foul creature lay dead.
‘You took the hit like a dwarf, master hobbit,’
Sigurmar said, ‘you make us proud.’
So I tried not to cry with pain in me bonce,
As Sigurmar nodded and bowed.

Once again we escaped by the skin our teeth,
As goblins arrived and gave chase.
We ran even faster than we’d run before,
Until they gave up the race.
The dwarves got their breath back and took off their helms.
And I had me a bite to eat.
My legs were aching from running so fast 
And I can’t tell you, the state of my feet!

Once rested, the Gaffer took out once again
The paper, and read the strange text.
But the more that the dwarves offered up their ideas,
The more Kandral was perplexed.
'Deep in the Child of Mahal, it says’
‘As far as I know,’ he said
‘Two children had Mahal: the dwarves and the earth.’
‘So… deep in the earth it was laid.’

‘But where? That’s the question that we must address.’
‘In a treasury?’ Kuinn suggested.
I lent back on a rock and stretched out my legs
Then a strange thing occurred as I rested;
In my head played a song I’d heard oft before,
A song that the dwarves all knew.
It sang of a time that the world was young
And everything was new.

‘It’s a shame Bob’s not here…’ I said half-aloud.
‘What’s that,’ Kandral asked, ‘that you said?’.
‘Oh nothing, it’s just that he sings it so well,’
And Kandral stared, scratching his head.
‘The one about stars in the lake and the crown…’
Now, the Gaffer gave a wide smile
‘You’re a genius, young Ponso, you really are.
‘You knew where it was all the while!’

Well I was confused and I hadn’t a clue.
Till Kandral sang the song
‘In Mirrormere…crown of stars appear…’
‘You knew where it was all along!’
It seems that this lake was by the east gate.
By the lake was a stone, and so.
Deep in the ground there, we’d find Durin’s Axe!
So to Mirrormere off we would go!

Day XXV
Back at the camp I found Rosamundi
Who’d slept for a night and a day
And I told her about all the things that had happened,
How Bob’s song had shown us the way!
How I’d found an old paper that led to a library
And there we had found a great clue
And that Kandral had struggled to work out it’s meaning
But now we knew just what to do.

I started to cook up some Perch and some bacon
As dwarves emerged from their beds
Then Thaosli came back from scouting the passage.
‘Is everything safe now?’ I said.
‘There’s just a few creatures crawling about,’
‘They are horrible little brutes…’
‘But nothing that any of us can’t handle,’
He said, wiping ‘stuff’ off his boots.

Rosamundi served the dwarves with their breakfast
But the Gaffer failed to appear
It seemed he’d gone off on his own once again
And told us to wait for him here.
But after a while we were getting quite restless 
And rather than waste a whole day
I suggested we went off in search of these gardens;
They couldn’t be that far away.

Someone had told me the gardens were lovely
With, flowers and pools of clear water.
‘You could fish there,’ said Rosa, looking excited:
‘Oh, yes, I think that we ought to!’
But the dwarves were talking of waiting for Kandral:
Then Halgrun said, reading his book,
‘I don’t suppose anyone’s seen any limestone?’
‘Maybe we should take a look…’

So Halgriun and Thaosli agreed to come with us
And look for the gardens and stone.
And we set off at once for the twenty-first hall
(Or should that be Hall twenty-one?)
We walked and we walked down a long rough-hewn tunnel
That twisted and turned all the way.
‘Did the dwarves makes all this?’ Miss Rosa asked Thaosli
‘Oh yes,’ he replied, ‘I should say.’

He pointed up at the roof, far above
Supported with fine-carved stone beams.
Round the bend were a set of steps, leading nowhere
So, it hadn’t been finished, it seems.
Just then, we heard a tapping of feet,
Coming towards us, full pelt.
There was nowhere to hide, so we gathered together
And I pulled out the knife from me belt.

But it wasn’t a Warg with a goblin-rider
But a white goat; and on it, a-straddle
Raggolgrimbob, a smile on his face.
He stopped and got down from the saddle.
‘Well met!’ said us, ‘Well Met!’ said he.
‘I’m lucky to find you all here.’
‘I thought you’d be still up in Dolven-view.’
‘When I got there you’d all disappeared.’

‘Ah no, we have good news regarding the axe…’
‘I shall tell you as we walk along.’
‘How we found where it’s hidden, with the help of some paper,’
‘Kandral’s key, and one of your songs!’
Well, Bob he laughed long when I told to him how
We had found the place from the clue.
‘Well who would have thought that a hobbit of all folk,’
‘Could tell us what we should do?’

After such a long way we arrived at the Hall
Which was huge, and bathed in bright light.
‘The Twenty-first Hall: The jewel in our crown!’
Said Bob,’What a marvellous  sight!’
Well the dwarves swelled with pride, showing off this and that
Like the carvings above the North Door
And I oohed and I aahed, not telling the dwarves
That I’d been here the day just before! 

‘Now all that we need is someone to ask,’
‘The way to gardens,’ I said
‘The gardens?’ said Bob, ‘I’d have shown you the way’
‘If only you’d asked me instead!’
On the way out, we passed Balin’s tomb
And the others all wanted a look.
So we pushed open the door and stepped into the gloom.
What we saw in there, left us in shock.

The room lay in ruins with great lumps of rock
That had fallen down from the ceiling.
The chamber was dank and poorly lit
It gave me a foreboding feeling.
As our eyes got used to the dark, we could see
That between the heaps of stone
Were the bodies of dwarves, long dead, in their armour,
But no more than just skin and bones

In the midst of this chaos, a white marble tomb
lit by a shaft of white light.
The dwarves bowed their heads, but we just stared
Dismayed at this terrible sight.
We filed out in silence, each one of us shook
So sad, it made us all weep.
As the door closed behind, an audible sigh;
Afraid we’d disturbed the dead’s sleep.

But our sorrow was short-lived, for just down the passage
We were met with a wonderful sight.
A circular pond surrounding a mirror.
That flooded the chamber in light.
High up in the roof, way over our heads,
A sight, I admit, made me cry.
A shaft leading up through the mountain above,
A glimpse of a pale blue sky!

I sniffed at the air, convinced I could sense
On my face, the breath of a breeze.
And what was more lovely, the first time in days
The smell of fresh grass and tall trees.
‘The gardens! They’re this way!’ I cried out in joy.
And Bob, he just nodded and smiled.
And now I could see what it was ‘bout this place
That had all them dwarfies beguiled.

Day XXV Continued
As we got near the gardens, I could see a green glow
That lit up the way ahead.
‘Now before we go any further, my friends,’
‘I think I should warn you,’ Bob said.
‘This garden’s infested, with more than just rats’
‘There are goblins and harpies in there.’
‘Harpies?’ asked Thaosli, looking confused.
‘Aye Harpies, said Bob, ‘so beware!’

‘I’ve heard of them creatures,’ said Halgrund, concerned,
‘My mum called them “witch” in her tales.’
‘They look just like longshanks with long flowing hair,’
‘With bat-wings and long pointed nails.’
So, warned, we continued cautiously on,
Towards the lovely green light.
Then Rosa , excited, ran on up ahead
Just as a Warg came into sight!

‘Miss Rosa!’ I shouted, drawing my bow.
She turned and gave a loud yell.
I let fly an arrow as it crouched on its hocks;
Before it could leap, down it fell!
‘Fine shot, young Ponso,’ Thaosli said with a smile,
‘Though hardly a comforting thought.’
We made our way carefully now, looking round,
For foes of any odd sort.

‘Oh trees!’ I said as we entered this space
‘And flowers, and water, what’s more!’
And the water looks clean! Clean water means fish!’
‘I wish we had found this before!’
Rosamundi looked ahead, ‘Oh look, there’s a light!’
We could see a dwarf-camp just ahead.
‘Can we stay here the night? I’d love to explore.’
I asked, and Bob nodded his head.

I wasted no time but got out my rods,
And soon had a pair of fine bass.
And Rosa sat down with her toes in the water,
While the dwarves lounged on the grass.
All except Halgrun who was nosing about
And he held a flower up to the light.
Then bent down to look at some moss on the rocks
When suddenly slipped out of sight!

We jumped up and ran to the edge of the rock
Bob yelled: ’Are you all right down there?’
And we got as close to the edge as we could,
But an oath was all we could hear.
‘He seems fine enough!’ said Thaosli laughing.
‘Hold on,’ I said, ‘I’ll come down.’
And I followed the path along the rock’s edge,
Trying to find a way round.

I found poor Halgrun clutching his leg.
It was worse than it looked at first sight.
‘I slipped down the rock,’ he said through clenched teeth,
‘It hurts — it doesn’t feel right.’
We helped him back up the slope to the camp
I was worried his ankle was bust.
And we laid him down gently next to the camp fire
While Halgrun just moaned and cussed.

I eased off his boot, as gentle as ever
I was hoping it might be a sprain.
There was no doubt about it; the ankle was broken,
And Halgrun winced with the pain.
I had a good look; the skin wasn’t broken, 
But the foot looked awfully queer;
It was swelling up fast and at an odd angle.
I beckoned to Bob to come near.

Bob nodded when I showed him the shape of the foot
He knew what we needed to do.
The bones needed setting before we could strap it 
So I gave Halgrun willow to chew.
When we were sure that the pain had subsided,
Bob took hold of the foot,
With a twist of his wrist, pulled the joint back in place
With a splint, we hoped would stay put

We strapped up his ankle the best that we could,
But Halgrun’s face was still grey.
He asked for his backpack and took out some leaves.
It was Kingsfoil, or Athelas, some say.
I boiled up some water and threw in the leaves,
To make him a pain-killing brew.
Then he pulled out a rock: ‘It’s limestone,’ said he,
‘Be sure to put this in too.’
I did as he asked but whether this helped,
I really hadn’t a clue.

With Halgrun settled, I cooked up some supper
With bacon, enough for us all.
I was sorry we hadn’t seen more of the gardens
Because of poor Halgrun’s fall.
So we sat ourselves down to eat round the campfire
While Bob shared a flagon of wine.
We would send back word to the camp at the crossroads
So the Gaffer would know we were fine.

That night, as I lay in my tent in the dwarf-camp,
I thought what a beautiful site
We had found, under mountain, this garden so fine,
That made such a welcome sight.
Tomorrow, I thought, if Halgrun was well
I could go off and explore.
And I fell asleep, lulled by the sound
Of water and the dwarves’ snores.

Day XXVI (and XXVII — I think)
The morning came, the dwarves had gone,
And I was on my own.
But I hadn’t seen the gardens, so 
I thought I’d explore alone.
I asked the dwarves at the campsite here;
They told me I could stay.
Until my friends came back for me
They’d be at least a day.

It seems that Bob had worried about
The state of Halgrun’s leg.
So they’d set off back to the Crossroads camp
While I was still in my bed.
So after breakfast, I packed my rods
And set off to find a stream.
The gardens glowed in the early light
It was like I was in a dream.

Though overgrown, the gardens were
A wonder to behold.
Every bed was planted out
With flowers, red, blue and gold.
Seeds were floating overhead,
Blown on a gentle breeze;
And sheltered pools lay underneath
The overhanging trees.

I found a spot beneath the falls
Where the pool was dark and deep.
And soon I had them reeling in
Though not big enough to keep.
So after I’d been fishing there
For an hour or two.
I made my way back to the camp
Thinking to make a brew.

When I got there, a group of dwarves
Were just about to go.
They were searching for a couple scouts
And asked if I’d come and so—
I found myself on a big goat’s back
Heading off into the dark.
I’d no idea of the adventure ahead
On which I was to embark.

We got to a camp, deep under the ground
That looked out over a cave.
And soon set off in groups of three
The two dwarf-scouts to save.
T’was my group found the sorry sight;
The poor lad had met his end.
At the hands of orcs, it seems, much to
The fury of his friends.

So after we had avenged his death,
We took him back to the base.
And they laid him out upon a bier,
A gold cloth over his face.
At this point, I should have said my farewells
And got myself back upstairs.
But somehow I got meself tangled up
In the dwarves’ funerary affairs.

It seems that whenever a dwarrow should die
His passing was marked with aplomb.
And this involved a procession through
All the Halls of Khazad Dûm.
But what I hadn’t realised was
(And this is quite a tale)
In every corner of the place,
We drank a flagon of ale.

We started off in the Orc-watch camp
Where the ale was dark and brown
Then off we went to the Flaming deeps
Where I sank another one down.
The Rotting Cellar was next on the list;
I was met with a huge much of beer
Then off to the Chamber o’ the Crossroads, where
I was starting to feel a bit queer.

Now I should have made my excuses there
And wait for the lads to arrive.
But somehow I found myself back on the trail,
Heading for ale number five.
A very odd place we landed up next
In the Foundations of Stone
And I knocked back a beer with hardly a care
My self-control all but gone.

I vaguely remember Dolven-view
Where somehow I managed a drink.
Then Deep Descent and Twenty-first Hall;
In each, a flagon to sink.
And after we’d visited every place.
And got our wits truly muddled.
We got on our goats and headed back down
By now, I was well befuddled.

I slept that night in a tent in the Orc Watch
And to be frank, all the next day.
But as soon as my head had cleared enough
I said I’d be on my way.
Then up came his friends to bid me farewell
They called me noble and stout.
It seems that the dwarves had all had a bet
On when and where I’d pass out!

I got back late to the Crossroads to find
The Company had gone on ahead.
I was told they had gone to the twenty-first hall
With a very long journey ahead.
So, weary, I saddled up once again
And set off down the long way
Rehearsing what I would say to the Gaffer
And wondering what he would say.

Day XXVIII
When I got to the Hall, the dwarves were abed,
So I found me a bunk for the night.
(I often wonder how them dwarves—
Get to sleep in the constant light.)
In the morning, Kandral was already up
And pleased to see I was back.
But when I told him just where I had been
I think he was taken aback.

It seems that the Gaffer, the clever old dwarf,
Had worked out, while I’d been away,
Just where we needed to head out to next,
And exactly where the Axe lay!
He was keen to be off, and would have gone
Without breakfast, If I wasn't there.
But I put down my foot and cooked up a feast
As I ‘d eggs and taters to spare.

While the breakfasts were cooking, up came Rosa
Told me off for being away.
She laid out goat patties to heat by the fire
‘They look tasty,’ said Kendal, ‘I say!’
‘Now listen up brothers, we’ve a long way to go.’
‘We must hasten to find the East Gate.’
‘So when you have eaten, pack up your things,’
‘We must off before the day’s late.’

Then Hroskold piped up: ‘I overheard guards,’
‘Talking about Second Hall.’
‘It’s overrun with goblins and orcs,’
‘There’s several hundred, in all.’
‘We have to pass through Second Hall,’ Thaosli said.
Rubbing his hands in glee.
‘Aye, we’d better prepare ourselves for a fight,’
Said Kandral, looking at me.

I shrugged and said nothing as the dwarves all dressed up
In layers of metal and mail.
I washed up the dishes, packed up the food
And rolled up my clothes in a bale.
Then off down the road, with Kendal ahead
And Rosa and me in the rear.
‘That breakfast was something,’ said Rosa to me.
‘I’m surprised you found it all here.’

‘Well the bacon and eggs I already had.’
‘It was taters and mushrooms I lacked.’
‘But I found a provisioner who was willing to barter,’
‘I got quite a bargain, in fact.’
As we walked I told Rosa about the time
I’d spent with the dwarves in the pits.
How we’d marked the scout’s passing with flagons of ale,
And how I’d addled my wits.

It was then that I noticed that under her cape
Miss Rosa was dressed head to toe
In fine dwarven armour! I stared open mouthed.
‘You look ready to face any foe!’
‘Oh this,’ replied Rosa, looking bemused.
‘It was from a dwarf in the Hall.’
‘He thought I needed protecting and so.’
‘He insisted that I took it all.’

Just then the dwarves stopped and pointed ahead
To a goblin astride a huge beast.
‘I’ll get him,’ I said. Kandral gave me a nod,
But he moved as the string I released.
‘I winged him,’ I said as the goblin made off,
‘That was bad luck indeed,’ Kendal said,
‘He’ll have gone to get others, we better move on.’ 
‘But the goblin fell off the Warg, dead!’

‘One down, but I fear there are more up ahead,’
Said the Gaffer, ‘so keep your eyes peeled.’
So onwards we crept making barely a sound
And Rosamund lifted her shield.
‘There’s a camp up ahead,’ whispered Hroskold, ‘we need.’
‘To see how many within.’
So I crept in the shadows away from orcs’ sight
‘He’s brave for a hobbit,’ said Hosgrim.

He’d no way of knowing how frightened I was
As I neared the orc-camp and saw
We were lucky; for though the camp was immense,
It held twenty or so, not more.
I tiptoed back to the dwarves who were pleased
That the odds were two to one on!
And though there were twenty-odd orcs to begin,
By they end their number was… none!

With the way ahead safe, we rushed up the path,
And turned the corner to see—
Below us in splendour the Grand Second Hall!
‘My goodness!’ I said, ‘There’s a tree!’
‘And another!’ I said, ‘They hold up the roof!’
‘Look closer,’ said Kandral, ‘You’ll find.’
‘They are pillars of stone, but carved like trees.’
‘With trunks and branches entwined.’

We made our way slowly down the great stairs
Gazing in awe all around,
But we didn’t get far beyond the steps,
Before the familiar sound—
Of orc feet on stone and the pad of Wargs’ feet
Kandral signed for us to draw near.
Then they were upon us! Our bow strings did sing,
The dwarves fought without any fear.

Wave upon wave of orcs, wargs and goblins
Came at us, across the wide hall.
And we fired, hacked and slashed, backing up to the staircase,
Until, with our backs to the wall,
We could go back no further. Yet still they advanced,
And still they fell to our bows.
I’d used half my arrows and yet the orcs came.
I was shaking from head to toes!

‘Keep at it! We’ll beat them!’ the Gaffer he shouted,
And the dwarves with a ‘Baruk Khazad!’
Renewed their assault on the ranks of the orcs.
Their courage would make your heart glad.
But still they arrived, rank after rank,
And this time I thought we were beat.
But I kept on firing, making each arrow count
Was this to be our defeat?

Day XXVIII continued - the broken bridge
Still the orcs came, still we fought bravely
Even Rosa, her club in her fist,
And shield on her arm,fought off the attack
That we managed to resist.
A gap in the ranks as the orc-hordes regrouped
And Kandral saw our way out;
‘Run for it lads!’ We’ll head for the bridge!
And we all ran ahead with a shout!

Well the orcs were enraged that we’d slipped through their ranks,
And cursed in their horrid Black Speech
But we just kept on running without a look back,
Amazed that their ranks we had breached
It’s surprising how fast you can run when you’re scared,
But poor Halgrun was clearly in pain.
Two sturdy young dwarves lifted him off his feet
And we set off at speed once again.

We left the orcs standing as we crossed the hall,
And soon we could slow to a trot.
My sides were aching from running so fast
‘Well that was difficult spot.’
Said Thaosli, a grin across his broad face;
And despite our fear, we all smiled.
‘We can stop for a rest if you need it,’ said Kandral
‘Not long now we’ve got those orcs riled.’

I counted my arrows; I had less than twenty.
Not enough to fight off an attack.
But we were so far from the twenty-first’s merchants
And there seemed to be no way back.
‘We press on,’ said Kandral, ‘the bridge is ahead,’
‘And beyond, the First Hall lies.’
‘I don’t need to tell you to keep your eyes open,’
‘If we’re to avoid a surprise.’

We carried on walking across that broad hall
Past pools that were brackish and black 
And I marvelled that, in spite of their numbers
The orcs had all fallen back.
‘This bridge,’ I asked Kandral, ‘You say that it leads’
‘Direct to the First Hall beyond.’
‘That’s right,’ said the Gaffer, ‘Khazad Dûm is it’s name,’
‘As often repeated in song.’

‘Kazzid Doom?’ I repeated, an odd memory stirring.
‘I think I have heard that before.’
But try as I might, I couldn’t think how
And thinking just made my head sore.
The hall was in darkness, a faint glow before us,
And we silently filed on ahead
In the distance I thought I could see some lights moving:
‘Are those lights alive?’ I said.

‘How strange. Those creatures are glowing it seems,’
Said Halgrun, looking perplexed.
‘Some kind of glow-worm, I’ve not seen aught like them.’
‘I wonder what we’ll find next?’
‘How pretty,’ said Rosa,’I think they’re just lovely.’
‘Be careful, said Kandral, ‘Take care!’
‘They look to me foul and probably poison,’
‘I think we had better beware!’

No sooner had Kandral spoken these words,
Than the glow-worms began their attack.
In their mouths they brandished huge fangs; I could see
The reason the orcs had held back!
The dwarfs drew their axes and hacked at the beasts
And soon all the glow worms lay dead.
But more of them came; too many to fight.
‘It’s time we were moving.’ I said.

But Halgrun held back; he poked with his stick
To retrieve some bright-glowing slime.
He dropped it with care into a glass jar,
Said Kandral, ‘Come! We’ve no time!’
We ran from the glow worms across the tiled floor,
But our path ended up at a ledge.
Far below our feet was a river of fire
Thaosli kicked a stone off the edge.

‘Well here is a problem and there is no doubt,’
Said Leifgrim, ‘That’s not on your map!’
We couldn’t go forward; we couldn’t go back,
It seems we were caught in a trap!
‘What’s that over there?’ the Gaffer said, pointing.
‘It looks like a bridge of some kind.’
‘Let’s try it,’ said Halgrun, suddenly keen—
To leave all the glow worms behind.

The bridge, it turned out, was not sturdy nor strong;
A goblin-made bridge, tied with ropes.
We stopped and looked at the bridge in dismay;
Upon this rested our hopes.
‘I’ll go first,’ said Rosa, suddenly brave.
But I held her back and said, ‘No!’.
‘Miss Rosa, I can’t let you try out the bridge,’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll give it a go.’

I stepped on the bridge which swayed and creaked,
Far below was the river of fire.
But I swear I could feel the heat on my feet.
And I stared to shake and perspire.
‘Keep going, young Ponso,’ the Gaffer, he cried.
So I took a deep breath and set off.
Each step took me further away from the side;
And closer to that fiery trough.

Half-way across the bridge gave a shake;
And I grabbed both the ropes in fear.
Then I lost my head and ran ‘cross the rest,
Oblivious to the dwarves’ cheer.
I reached the side, relieved and alive!
‘It’s safe!’ I managed to yell.
And one by one the dwarves filed across,
Happily, nobody fell.

‘So this is First Hall?’ I said to the Gaffer.
‘No Ponso, ’twas not Khazzad Dûm.’
‘The real bridge is further on. We must haste.’
He said, pointing into the gloom.
Again that name stirred a memory in me,
Of a dwarf crying into his ale.
But try as I might I couldn’t recall
The sobbing dwarf’s sorry tale.

We came very soon to the gates of the bridge
That spanned the chasm’s broad reach.
It was then the dwarf’s story came back to mind;
The tale of a bridge that was breached.
The dwarves all rushed forward, happy to find
The bridge they called Khazad Dûm
‘No, stop!’ I shouted convinced that now
All the dwarves would fall to their doom!

The party all halted, lucky for them,
And looked with dismay at the sight.
‘I cannot believe it! What a deep loss!’
Said Kandral, his face turning white.
The bridge had been broken, that much was clear.
The gap was ever so wide.
There was no way ahead, though we could all see,
The First Hall, on the far side.

Day XXVIII continued — A long way round
We stood and looked down at the chasm below;
Most of the dwarves were in tears.
They couldn’t believe that something had sundered
The bridge that had stood here for years
‘Let’s hope we’re not trapped here,’ Kandral said,
‘That rope bridge our weight must bear.’
He was the first to step back from the bridge,
Running a hand through his hair.

‘We must find a way round, if there is one,’ he said,
‘Though nothing is marked on this map.’
‘We’d better head back to the rope bridge behind,’
‘And hope to get over the gap.’
It was then I remembered the rest of the tale
My drinking-companion had told.
About how they’d searched out a path to the north;
Now was the time to be bold!

‘Excuse me,’ I said, “But I think there’s a way…’
‘And we’ve no need to re-cross that bridge.’
But the Gaffer just carried on talking with Thaosli:
‘What’s that we can see on the ridge?’ 
‘Do we go left or right?’ asked Halgrun of Kandral,
‘I’m not sure we’ll find a way round.’
‘I think there’s a path there,’ said Kandral, still pointing,
‘It disappears over that mound.’

Rosa chuckled: ‘It’s like they can’t hear us,’ she said,
‘When they get fired up for a fight.’
It was true, for the dwarves had gone off to the left
And I knew our path lay to the right.
‘Come back!’ I shouted, but still was ignored.
Up sprang three orcs to attack!
Hroskold killed two, the third one was Thorlaen’s.
And now, they began to fall back.

I took hold of the Gaffer and pointed him
Towards the dark stairs ‘cross the floor.
‘It’s this way, Lord Kandral,’—‘You knew all along?’
‘Why didn’t you say so before?’
We dashed for the steps. Beyond, lay a hall,
That was paved and several yards wide.
‘Hardly a secret passage, I said,
Now we were safely inside.

We followed it straight for five hundred paces
And though it seemed blocked at its end.
A small path led downwards away to the east,
With many a twist, turn and bend.
‘Now don’t go wandering off,’ said Kandral 
‘Who knows what foul beasts we’ll find?’
He was right to warn us, for just round the corner,
We were attacked by a bat of some kind!

Well you’d think ’twas a bat, though this one spat fire;
Too small for a dragon, I’d say.
Leifgrim rushed out and lopped off its head,
And once more we set out on our way.
As we rounded the bend an arrow struck rock,
And fell at the Gaffer’s feet.
A couple of orcs, hardly a match
For the dwarves, soon made their retreat.

‘We’d best watch our rear’ I said, fearing an ambush,
And Leigrim, nodding, fell back.
The path climbed up a steep hill, over which,
It joined with a roughly-hewn track.
By the side was a cart that held mining tools.
But crudely constructed it seems.
‘By Mahal!’ said Kandral, ‘These orcs have been mining.’
‘We’ll soon put an end to their schemes!’

We heaved the cart over the edge into darkness,
‘That‘ll teach them to steal the dwarves’ ore!’
And we followed the dimly-lit track ever downwards,
Keeping an eye out for more.
It was then that I sensed a smell so familiar,
Carried along a light breeze
‘It was sunshine on water; green grass and damp earth,
With flowers and leaf-mould and trees!

‘It’s a lake! Can’t you smell it?’ I cried out in glee;
But Rosa just smiled and said naught.
And as soon as it came, the scent disappeared;
‘Just imagination,’ I thought.
At the end of the track we could see there were orcs,
Guarding the way to the Hall.
But their numbers were few and it didn’t take long
For the dwarves to deal with them all.

Before we went on, the dwarves stared again
At the bridge that was now cut in two.
And once more, they mourned for that they had lost;
All were dismayed at the view.
It was time to move on; we mounted the stairs,
And again the breeze brought us its scent.
‘Now can you smell it?’ I cried out in joy.
This time there was no dissent.

‘The door must be open! I can see light ahead.’
‘Almost there now; we really are near.’
‘Aye,’ Kandral replied, ‘The East Gate lies open,’
‘And beyond, we will find Mirrormere.’
‘So this is First Hall?’ I asked in pure wonder
Looking up at the roof overhead,
There were statues and carvings and arches and pillars;
‘This really is something,’ I said.

Then we climbed the last staircase up to the East Gate,
Shielding our eyes from the light.
Looking back at the Hall, lit up by the sun,
We were rendered dumb by the sight.
And though I had seen so much of this place,
This view was the best, because—
I now understood, for the first time, it seemed,
How important a place this was.

Day XXIX The Lake of stars
We came out of the Hall to find it was evening;
Below us, the lake shone red.
And I relished the chance to get in some fishing,
Before it was time for my bed.
Although it was dusk, the light hurt my eyes,
After such a long time in the gloom.
But our spirits were lifted by such a fine sight,
From the threshold of Khazad Dûm.

‘Come, let us descend into Azanulbizar,’
Said Kandral, ‘We’ll camp by the lake.’
‘Eight days we have taken to cross Khazad Dûm’
‘And now our reward we shall take.’
‘But first, we’ll have lunch I hope,’ said Rosa
And the dwarves all chuckled in glee.
As we came down, I made out some tall folk;
‘Is that there an elluff I see?’

‘You have good eyes,’ Miss Rosa said,
Surveying the figures below.
‘They seem to have made a camp by the lake,’
‘Is that where we’re going to go?’
Then Thaosli pointed out in the distance,
A tall, broken spire built of stone.
At the sight, the dwarves got quite excited;
It seemed that this spot was well-known

‘There lies the axe. We shall go in the morning,’
Said Kandral, ‘For first we must rest.’
‘So close,’ said Thaosli; I could see he was wanting
To get to the end of our quest.
I took a last look at the great arch behind us
And followed the rest down the stairs.
With the sun on the lake and warm breeze on my face,
I soon had forgotten my cares.

It was hard to believe that, hours before,
I’d been face to face with an Orc.
Right now, the only weapons I needed
Were a spoon, a knife and a fork!
As we neared the foot of the great stone staircase,
We could see there were fires by the shore
I was right about elves, but they were camping with dwarves!
That was something I’d not seen before.

If the lads were surprised, they tried not to show it
And greeted the elves with bowed heads.
Then Kandral went off to speak with the dwarves
To try and secure us some beds.
We waited a while with polite nods and smiles;
These ellufs seemed to me stern.
They said not a word, but stared at us coldly,
So we waited for Kandral’s return.

This camp had been set up by the Dwarf Iron Guards,
Who had come to the elves for their aid.
They welcomed us warmly and found us a billet
And it seems they had weapons to trade.
So I restocked my quiver and bought me a hammer
To prepare for trouble ahead.
When the trader asked me to show him my armour
I said I’d none and he just shook his head.

He said ‘That won’t do; these lands are too perilous,’
‘To walk around dressed as you are.’
And he gave me a wink and told me to follow;
As his wagon was not very far.
When I’d finished my trade we were both very happy
And I stored all the goods in my tent.
But the light was now fading, there wasn’t much time,
So down to the lake-side I went.

‘Keled-zâram; the lake of stars!’
Said Kandral, ‘Ah what a sight!’
And I gazed at the water and swear I saw stars,
Although it wasn’t yet night.
‘I cannot believe that I gaze on this mere,’
‘Where Durin once stood years ago.’
‘And when he returns he will see once again.’
‘His crown of stars there, below.’

Well history is one thing but food is another
And I soon had my rod in my hand.
And scarcely before the line hit the water.
I was laying the carp on the sand.
Then up piped Halgrun: ‘Be careful young hobbit,’
‘Those elves seem a little bit cross.’
And I looked at the elves who were staring at me,
And I wondered which one was their boss.

One of the elves was dressed somewhat finer
And he had the air of a chief.
So I walked up and bowed and gave him my name,
And he bowed back, to my relief.
He introduced himself as Firitharu;
I said sorry for taking the fish,
But explained that the dwarves were tired and hungry,
And I wanted to make a fine dish.

He looked at the carp I held in my hands,
And a frown clouded his brow.
When he spoke, his voice was gentle but grave
He said I might fish here for now,
But not elsewhere and particularly not
In a place that he called Golden Wood.
In addition, I could take no more than we needed
I said that I understood.

‘You did well,’ said Rosa, when I came back.
‘It wouldn’t do to get on their bad side.’
‘At least I've heard say so; them elves can be fierce.’
‘Although their true feelings they hide.’
So I caught some more carp and we had ‘em for supper,
Roasted with carrots and such,
And I explained to the dwarves that supper was frugal,
Not wanting to catch too much

As the sun went down, I built up the fire
And we soon polished off the lake-fish
Though they were few, the carp and carrots
With boiled taters, made a fine dish.
‘Tomorrow we head out to search for the Axe’
Said Kandral ‘By the Stone we must try.’
‘Though we need to be careful, I feel ill at ease,’
‘Although I couldn’t say why.’

Then up spoke Rosa, looking around
‘Do you remember what that Ifo said?’
‘He told us we had a dangerous journey,’
‘With many perils ahead.’
‘But that none would compare with the risks we would face,’
‘When we neared the end of our quest.’
‘Well that’s to face in the morrow,’ I said,
‘For now, we should get us some rest.’

So we laid out our bedrolls and tidied the camp
And I got out my rods for morning.
But as I lay down to sleep, I found
Myself thinking of Ifo’s warning.
‘The worst is to come,’ I said to myself,
‘And the Gaffer was right worried too.’
It seems that we’d have a fight on our hands
If Ifo’s prediction came true.

Day XXX: A whiff of woodsmoke
I was up before dawn and went down to the lake,
Leaving the others in bed.
On the shore, staring outwards across the dark mere,
Stood the Gaffer, a hat on his head.
‘It’s to keep my ears warm,’ he said when I asked.
‘It’s so chilly out here to be sure,’
I nodded and pulled my cloak tightly around,
As we gazed to the opposite shore.

‘So what are our plans?’ I asked Kandral at last.
‘Do we know where it is we should seek?’
‘We do, thanks to you, young hobbit,’ he said.
‘By the Stone, of which you’ve heard speak.’
But although we’d almost finished our quest,
He seemed to me quite downcast;
And we stood for a while, saying nothing at all
Then Kandral, he spoke up at last.

‘You know that this lake is holy to us?’
I said that I’d heard that was so.
‘It is here on this shore that the first Durin stood,’
‘Gazing out on the waters below.’
‘In the water, it’s said, he saw a fine crown,’
‘Made up of stars, shining bright.’
‘One day, it is said, another will see them,’
‘A new Durin will come forth that night.’

Then Kandral gazed up to the dawn sky above,
‘You see felak gabil?’ he said.
‘I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about,’
Said I, scratching my head.
‘Ah, my dear Ponso! I’m forgetting myself.’
‘I talk of the Sickle and Moon.’
‘Ah yes,’ I replied, ‘I see ‘em quite clearly.’
‘But the Sun shall be rising up soon.’

‘Well some dwarrow believe that the sickle and moon,’
‘Determine your luck for the day.’
‘When the moon sits itself at the head of the sickle,’
‘It presages badly, they say.’
Well the moon, it was full and was ringed by the stars,
The sight of it made his face fall.
‘Let us hope the old tales are not true then,’ he said.
‘And this doesn’t spell doom for us all.’

Well this was a shock to see him so stricken
By doubt; it made me feel sad.
So I resolved to cook the lads a great breakfast:
After eating, nothing seems bad.
I ran off to find me some bacon and eggs
As the dwarfies emerged from the tent.
I heated my pans in the flames of the fire
As usual, the rations soon went.

So with breakfast all done, we mustered the dwarves
And Kandral, he gave a fine speech.
After eight weeks of trekking o’er plains and through mountains,
The Axe was almost in reach.
‘None of us thought when we started our journey,’
‘Leaving our Halls in the West,’
‘That our road would lead us evermore into danger,’
‘Before we could finish our quest.’

He reached into his shirt, pulled the chain o’er his head
And the Key caught the early sunlight.
It flashed in our eyes as the dwarves all fell silent
Subdued by this marvellous sight.
‘We came here to find where this key would lead us.’
‘And the road has brought us all here.’
‘We have faced up to perils where most would have faltered,’
‘And others turn back, in fear.’

‘In the depths found we Scrolls that told of the Axe,’
‘Of the Lake of Stars and the Stone.’
‘And now that prize is within our grasp.’
‘I call on you, every one.’
‘Sharpen your axes and ready your armour.’
‘Pack your belongings away.’
‘We set out as one for doom or for glory.’
‘Who knows what awaits us this day?’

The dwarves gave a cheer and went back to the tent
To ready themselves for a fight.
But I stayed behind to speak with the Gaffer,
I’d a sense of something not right.
He was looking out over the plains to the Stone
And the way ahead seemed so clear,
But the wind brought my nose a faint whiff of woodsmoke,
As if a camp was quite near.

‘Gaffer,’ I said, ‘I know you are eager,’
‘To press on ahead with the quest.’
‘But I feel the need to move with some caution,’
‘We have to do what is best.’
‘So let me go on ahead of the lads’
‘And check that it’s safe to proceed.’
But the Gaffer said no, we should all go together,
To my warnings he payed little heed.

So I went to the tent and got myself ready
And we gathered once more for the fray.
And I pleaded again for the Gaffer to let me
At least scout ahead for the way.
This time he relented and I climbed a small hillock
Wrapping myself in my cloak
There was naught to be seen, not even a footprint,
But again the faint smell of woodsmoke.

And with it, an odour that gave me no doubt
That our quest was far from complete.
A reek I had smelled in the dark caves of Moria:
The stench of an orc’s smelly feet!
I got back to the Gaffer and gave him the news.
But he was resolved to go on.
And we marched forth in silence along the lake’s shore,
Deep in our thoughts, everyone.

Day XXX: Treachery
We rounded a bend by the lake’s shore to find
What appeared by the roadside to be
A bundle of clothes, but then a low groan
Revealed to the others and me
That this was a dwarf in need of our care
For he had been struck by an arrow.
When we turned the lad over I gave out a gasp
For all of us knew this poor dwarrow.

‘By Mahal! ’Tis Midarin,’ the dwarves they all cried.
And Kandral, he rushed to the spot.
The arrow lay deep, its black feathers showed
From an Orc-bow, this had been shot.
‘I’m sorry, Lord Kandral,’ Midarin muttered.
‘I hope you can see I’d no choice.’
‘Hush now Midarin,’ the Gaffer said gently,
Concealing a sob in his voice.

I opened my pack but I’d no more Kingsfoil,
And all I could offer was bark.
So Bob rubbed his stones to reduce the lad’s pain,
‘Nay, listen,’ said Midarin, ‘Hark…’
A dribble of blood left a trail in his beard,
And he sobbed as he told us his tale.
‘Before it’s too late… you all must be told,’
‘For surely your quest it will fail.’

Hroskold touched the tip of his finger
To the shaft of the arrow and said,
‘This arrow was poisoned. Unless we act swiftly,’
‘I’m afraid this poor brother is dead.’
‘Then listen!’ said Midarin, his voice now fading.
‘They’d taken my sister, you see.’
‘To win back her life I had to betray you.’
‘It was I who planted the key.’

‘The clues that you found, the scroll in the chest…’
‘Were designed to bring Kandral here.’
‘In return for you they would give me my sister,’
Kandral rose and choked back a tear.
‘Why me? What for? I don’t understand…’
‘They know you have ties to the King.’
Said Midarin, ‘They’d use you to strike up a bargain,’
‘With Dain, a surrender to bring.’

‘It was foolish of me; I should have known,’
‘That their words would turn out to be lies.’
‘Now my sister lies dead, her throat it was cut,’
‘And they did it before my own eyes!.’
Midarin sobbed, ‘I attacked in a fury,’
‘But they were too many, you see.’
‘And now I lay dying. Don’t go to the Spire!’
‘You all have to listen to me!’

He coughed up more blood, Halgrun cradled his head
As I heated up the blade
Of my fishing knife, knowing what we had to do
For Midarin’s life to be saved.
Hroskold took hold of the foul Orc-arrow
And I passed my knife to Thorlaen.
When the arrow was pulled, poor Midarin gasped
And almost passed out with the pain.

The wound was infected and gave off a reek
And Thorlaen held out the knife;
He pressed down the blade and the flesh smoked and sizzled
It was this that saved the dwarf’s life.
Then Halgrun burnt herbs to make Midarin drowsy
While Hroskold dipped a small cloth in ale
To clean out the wound, while I made a bandage
Poor Midarin looked drawn and right pale.

With his wound tightly bound, we carried the dwarrow
Back to the camp down the hill.
And I ran on ahead to alert Firitharu
Hoping he’d cure our lad’s ills.
We redressed the bandage, applying a salve
Made from Milkthistle and Rue.
We were lucky the elves were able to help
As none of us knew what to do.

So, with Midarin setlled, we talked of the quest
And how we’d been led astray.
And we realised now that the Axe was a myth;
There would be no glory this day.
But Kandral was all for attacking the orcs
And taking the fiends by surprise.
As he talked I could see he wanted revenge
By the fearsome glint in his eyes.

Well, the lads were for fighting and started to plot
And deciding which armour to wear.
It was then that I noticed the Gafffer was silent.
In his eyes, a faraway stare.
Then a smile spread across his broad features, that widened
And he let out a chuckle of glee.
The others stopped talking and looked at their leader
And Kandral was looking at me!

It was that kind of look I’d seen oft before
When he thought that I’d said somet clever.
And, as usual, I hadn’t a clue what I’d done.
‘Master Ponso,’ said he, ‘Well, I never!’
‘I wonder, dear hobbit if you have in your bag,’
‘The scroll accidentally found?’
‘I do,’ said I, and I picked up my pack
From where it lay on the ground.

‘Ignore the poem I’ve scrawled on the back,’
I said, handing Kandral the sheet.
He looked at the writing, held it up to the light,
And then he climbed to his feet.
‘It’s just as I thought! This scroll is no fake!’
‘For it’s writ in an ancient hand!’
‘We’ll make sure the orcs get just what they deserve.’
‘And not the ending they planned!’

Day XXX: The Spire of Durin
‘So the Axe is for real?’ asked Hroskold, amazed.
‘As real as I’m sitting here!’
‘It’s all written down, as plain as can be.’
Said the Gaffer, to the dwarf’s cheers.
So, fired up again with the thought of the Axe,
The lads and I planned our attack.
I’d scout up ahead; the lads, they would follow
We’d be sure to bring the Axe back!

Our plan was quite simple: to skirt the Orc camp
And quietly kill all their scouts
Then get ourselves ready, one side of the camp.
And attack, with drum beats and shouts.
This way the orcs would think we were many,
Although, in fact, we were few.
They would run no doubt, afraid of defeat,
Yes, that is what we would do!

With the Orc camp secure we would search unimpeded
For the Axe, at the base of the stone.
Any orcs that came back, we would shoot down with arrows;
For the dwarf-lasses’ death they’d atone.
So all the plans made, I went off to get changed
Into the armour I’d bought.
When I came back I imagined they’d laugh,
But they were more kind than I’d thought

‘You’d pass drill inspection!’ I was told with a grin
And the Gaffer, he cheered and agreed.
The armour fit well though it pinched here and there
And I had to walk bandy-kneed! 
Still, it was leather, well worn and quite supple
When I moved, there was barely a sound.
I was pleased about that; I could creep about quietly
And keep out of sight, near the ground.

So all of us ready we mounted the ridge
And I led the way, for the Shire!
I would point out the scouts one by one as they walked up
And, once in range, we would fire.
In all, eight fell to the company’s crossbows
So now we were set to attack:
We crept up to the camp, as quiet as dormice
And arranged ourselves all round the back.

Then I gave the signal, and fired off a rocket.
And the others all shouted and screamed.
We were standing so close, the orcs ran in panic,
Our plan had succeeded, it seemed.
‘To the Spire!’ cried the Gaffer and we split up in two
With half of us guarding the camp.
We overturned barrels to build our defences
While the others moved off, down the ramp.

Soon there were sounds of earth being shovelled
As the dwarves searched the spire for the Axe;
While the rest of us dug in and scanned the far hilltop
Ready for counter-attacks.
We didn’t wait long, for a line of fierce orcs
Came scrambling down the hillside
So we let fly our our arrows and cut them in half
‘Keep firing!’ Hroskold cried.

We quickly reloaded and steadied our weapons
As another wave swept down the hill.
We finished ‘em quick and loaded again.
Then carried on firing until
The orcs fell back with mutters and cursing
And I ran to the Gaffer’s side.
‘We can hold them for now, but more are arriving.’
‘We’ll need to act quickly,’ I cried.

‘Aye Ponso,’ said Kandral, ‘all right lads, keep digging!’
‘The Axe has got to be found!’
And the dwarves swung their picks in the soil by the spire
And dug away the hard ground.
Then Kandral, he tripped and fell on his face
By his foot was a half-buried chest!
‘It’s here!’ he cried, ‘quick lads! I can see.’
‘On the lid is the Longbeards’ crest.’

They dug in a frenzy, to unearth the trunk
And lifted it out of the ground.
Then Kandral offered the key to the lock,
Convinced that at last we had found
The Axe of Durin, the end of our quest
And we all gathered round him real quick;
As he twisted the key not once, twice but thrice
Till the lock opened up with a click.

And there in the chest lay an axe, it is true;
But was it the Axe that we sought?
The miles we had travelled to get to this spot;
The goblins and orcs we had fought.
He lifted the Axe and it shone in the sun
And the dwarves all knelt in awe.
The Kandral looked down at the coffer again
‘Look brothers: there’s something more!’

From out of the chest he lifted a parchment
Ragged and yellowed and old.
He held up the paper and read it out loud
And sorry the tale that it told:
‘We found this Axe in the Seventeenth Hall’
‘The orcs were coming so near,’
‘And we brought it out that it may be safe,’
‘By the shores of Lake Mirrormere.’

The text bore the names of Balin and Ori
Two dwarves of highest renown.
And I remembered the tomb by the Twenty-first Hall,
Surrounded by dwarrow, struck down
By assailants unknown, but doubtless the Orcs
And now we could add Ori’s name.
All had perished, it seems, in the caverns of Moria
The fate of each dwarrrow, the same. 

Our moment of grief was broke by the shouts
Of Orcs swarming over the rise.
Too many to fight, so we ran from the shore
Pursued by the orcs’ enraged cries.
We didn’t stop running till we go to the camp
And there we sought Midarin’s tent.
He was awake, though drowsy with pain.
‘Is it true to the Orc -camp you went?’

‘That was folly my brothers, for did I not say’
‘That the quest was merely a ruse?’
‘Hush now,’ said Kandral, ‘I have something to show you.’
Glad to be bringing good news.
‘Another scroll it was that we found,’
‘That pointed our way to the cache.’
‘And there ‘neath the Spire, just as we had thought.’
‘We found, in a chest, this fine Axe!’

So the quest was all done: we had found Durin’s Axe
And now it was time to come home.
The dwarves had resolved to visit King Dain
Though Midarin was not fit to roam.
So we both took a ride on a dwarf caravan
That was taking the long way back West
And I’d plenty of time to write down this poem
The tale of the Mithril Axe quest! 

THE END