“If it is true that a Valarauko yet haunts this place, if we come across it, there will be no escape,” he said.
I had thought him asleep. How long had it been since he started having nightmares? At least five weeks, probably more. Finally, I thought, exhaustion had overcome his dreams, and he had not been able to resist the need for sleep.
I moved slightly, readjusting my position so that he be more comfortable. I was not the best of pillows, though certainly I was better than hard stone. It was hard to see him properly, only his pale skin and bright sea-grey eyes were clearly visible.
“We must be most careful, but if the worst happens we could at least run?” I whispered in Quenya. Parnard and Marawendi were resting nearby; I could hear their measured breathing but wanted no chance of them understanding our converse in case they lay awake.
He shook his head, hair and clothing merging with the darkness, and sat upright, his hand instinctively grasping the faintly glowing sword he had lain across his lap.
“There has been no sound of note, nor movement since I started my watch,” I informed him, seeing the state of alertness he had immediately entered. “This is my watch", I whispered. Will I not awaken you if aught seems wrong?”
He smiled dryly. “I do not doubt your vigil, Danel. It will keep us safe from prowling goblins or other twisted beasts that crawl or slither through this dank tomb.” He sighed. “But we are not a match for one of their kind. I cannot defeat such a being, and if we run we shall buy ourselves moments at the most before death. This thing would be beyond all of us. This is no being of flesh and blood, but something older and far more terrible. I have faced them before, I have seen what they can do. Our armies fell before their flame and whips, and even our hardiest troops retreated. I retreated. Our only course of action is to progress as silently as we can. No hooves on stone, no falling, no screaming. It is my hope the Valarauko has long since departed this place, but if not, we must not encounter it.”
I nodded my head. I knew what he was asking of me.
“I also know what they can do. I saw them bring carnage and destruction to Thargelion. I saw the lands set aflame, Lake Helevorn steaming and polluted, half the army burned to cinders, the ice on Mount Rerir melted, the sky black with smoke. I do not underestimate such a foe. Nay, I mean no disrespect, for I understand, but I did not think you would so willingly concede all hope?”
He raised a brow. “Our hope is in secrecy, sneaking through this dreadful darkness. There is no other hope to be had.”
I shook my head. “I love you, I will not leave you. If we are to die, I shall do so at your side. But forget not Tintallë. She watches us, even here. And may it be she guides us on the safer paths. She has never failed us yet.
“There are no stars here,” he said, seeming hesitant to alter his views.
“Tintalle, the Lady of the Stars, remember? She in whose face still dwells the light of Illuvatar”
“She has watched over us, but what power does she have here? There are no stars above us, no music of water and wind. We are in the tangled roots of the world, caught in a doom of our own making.To ask her to deliver us seems foolish and arrogant.”
“And not to ask her, what does that seem?”
He shrugged.
I shook my head. “All I ask is she guide us true, on the path away from the Demon. I will not lose Parnard and Marawendi, and I will not lose you again,” I whispered my greatest fear. It was not something I had thought about until we entered Moria… We were finally together. That was the way of things. I cursed my folly and pride at making such a choice as to enter this place….for we were strong and skilled enough to stand against most adversity. But now…
“Forgive me for taking us on this path.” I held his gaze.
“There is nothing to forgive. You choose what you considered to be the best way.” he said without recrimination.
There was the sound again, the one we had been hearing at intervals since the Twenty First Hall. Like something large dropping into water some levels below us. The sound reverberated like a very slow heart-beat through the many caverns and tunnels. We both moved forward, rising to our feet and standing back to back, straining our hearing for any indication the cause of the sound was getting closer to us. But no, and after a few minutes we sank back to the ground.
Yet still the sound echoed, ever fainter in the depths. And with it came a sensation that chilled me to the bone. I had spoken the name of Tintalle, albeit in a whisper. Yet it seemed to have riled the maker of the noise.
He looked at me, his eyes telling me that he knew what had happened.
“It will not reach this level. It will not find us,"I whispered that he would have to concentrate to hear me. “Sleep, please. May we make a swift journey to the Western door.”
He tried to make himself comfortable leaning against me again. His warmth was a reassurance against the sudden chill.
“If…when we reach the Western side, you do know where the exit is?” he asked.
The Eregion door? I had assumed….I did not know what I had assumed. It had always been open to us. We had always been escorted through to at least Dolven View. But now?
“I see,” he sighed at my hesitation. “Worry not. We shall deal with it when we draw nigh.”
