And so came to pass that ere the rising of the sun, Legelion had slipped through the great stone doors of the Halls of the Elvenking, and he now stalked stealthily along its winding walkways. Discreet eavesdropping had revealed the scribe's name to be Teithoron -- "Teithoron Tegilbor" the courtiers called him -- but he had not discovered where the Sinda dwelt. Retracing his steps he returned to the wider lamp-lit corridors of the higher level, but here the Elves of Thranduil's court were ever present; and though his small stature made for easy sneaking, a lone elf-child wandering the Halls was all too conspicuous.
Hiding behind a colossal crystal cluster, he peeped around its edges at the Elves that gathered in the dolven hall, Sindar and Silvan alike. He wrinkled his nose in thought and his eye fell upon one of the great stone statues that encircled the gallery; mayhap it was divine aid he needed? Whispering an invocation to Araw, Huntsman of the Valar, for aid in his own hunt, he slipped through the shadows to the foot of the giant effigy. And lo! his prayer was answered, for there came forthwith a messenger to an elf-maiden not four yards from where he hid.
'I seek Teithoron Tegilbor,' he said, 'for I have tidings that he awaits!'
'His chamber you will find nigh the deep cellars beyond the dark dungeons; follow the passage here behind us and the torchlight will lead you thither,' she told him. 'Speak with the butler who labours therein among the oaken casks, Galion is his name, and he will fain show you to the scribe's abode.'
Thanking her, he turned on his heel and swiftly strode away. Legelion almost laughed aloud... so near he had been! If he had but followed his heart and not his head he would have already found his quarry. Silently he slipped back into the passage and followed the messenger to the cellars. The air was thick with the fumes of rich wines, and Legelion licked his dry lips; he was fond of wine and he realised he was thirsty.
'Alas,' he heard Galion say to the messenger, 'that you have hastened here in vain. For although the scribe's chamber lies yonder, Teithoron is not within. His duties have taken him upstairs to the King's Chamber where he cannot be disturbed. But his conference should not take overlong, and while you linger come with me and taste the new wine that has just come in. I shall be hard at work tonight clearing the cellars of the empty wood, so let us have a drink first to help the labour.'[1]
Legelion left them to their flagons, and tiptoed in the direction the butler had pointed.
* * *
[4] The Hobbit, Chap 9: "Barrels Out of Bond"
It should be noted that this tale is set in the 2977th year of the Third Age, when Legelion had but lately turned twelve years of age; also that these anecdotes are not in strict chronological order.
|
|
xvii |  |
