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The Tales from Middle Earth
Somewhere in Middle Earth there was a mountain lake. On any other day it would have been an ordinary lake, surrounded by towering mountains on one side and grassy hillsides vivid with small yellow and blue flowers on the other. Ripples forming on the surface of the water would have been a normal occurrence; singing softly about the rich underwater life, and the swiftness of the current rushing from the lake would have been heard in the air, blending in with all other natural sound. But not this day.
Today the pool was still, as if no current flowed in or from it and all water came from springs within. And its surface was as flat, clear and reflective as polished glass. It mirrored the sky and the forming black clouds with flawless fidelity, imagining every dark detail. The air that smelled clean and vital a while ago was now thick with danger.
The group of people standing on the edge of the lake also felt the disturbance. They stood as still as figures carved out of stone, breathless, incapable of movement. The silence was deafening. No bird could be heard singing, there was no sound of fluttering leaves in the wind and the horses that rested nearby stood frozen as if all had fallen under a spell. The nature and all the life could sense the evil in the air. Its stench was unmistakable and it betrayed its approach.
Then a faint noise broke the silence. A sound that did not register to human ears but the sharp elven hearing detected. One of the figures turned her head slightly to her left and listened intensely.
Hooves, breathed Arwen Evenstar. Her dark blue robe swayed about her as she spun around to face the others. She swept a few unruly dark hair from her face and sighed.
The woman at her side kneed down to the ground and pressed her ear firmly against the earth. Yes, she said as she closed her eyes to listen Cousin is right, I can also hear it. Cirin Tindomiel opened her eyes to peer at the others. She sighed heavily as she got up to her feet. Arwen patted her cousin on the shoulder and turned back to the north to peer into the distance.
How many? The question broke the brief silence. The voice belonged to Deloriel Silverleaf, another elven companion in the group.
Arwen turned toward her and considered. Five, at least, she said at last. But one cannot be sure, the distance is still great.
Cirin nodded at that and added The horses bear riders none of the ordinary. The hooves are heavy upon the earth yet the horses run swiftly as if ridden by a shadow that is both heavy and light. She moved away from the others, lost in thoughts.
Then we must move, stated Deloriel as she snatched her sack from the ground and swung it over her shoulder. We mustnt delay any longer. She started toward her horse but then caught something from the corner of her eye. A small black creature broke away from the group, running on all four in the direction of the mountains. Its movements were swift, fast and quiet as if it was accustomed to sneaking, unseen and unheard.
Gollum!, shouted Del, That is nor our road. Come back! We must make west of the mountains!
The creature stopped and turned around. Its big, round yellow eyes gleamed in the gloom of the afternoon. Its body was wretched, skinny and seemed hardly capable of the speed and agility it had performed. Gollumsess sniffed the air and made a sound at the back of her throat.
We knows what it is, we knows. Yess, my precious, we knows. Elves can go where they wants, we is running away. We iss scared, we wants to live. They will hunts uss, they will. We musst hide, precious, yess we musst. Gollum seemed impatient and afraid as she paced about on all four.
What are you talking about, Gollum? asked Joe the High Elven, the lone male companion of the group. Who is them and why would they hunt you? He picked his sword and held it in his right hand, looking about.
As the elves contemplated the meaning of Gollums words Eowyn, Lady of Rohan mounted her horse and spoke up for the first time. Now I can hear them also, though I do not have elven ears. The horses I recognize. Only a steed of the Rohirrim runs this swift. But my heart tells me that whoever it is that rides our horses means no good. Yes, we should leave at once. There is nowhere to hide in this open place and I do not wish to fight, for the peril is great. This I feel. She run a hand through her golden hair and looked in Gollums direction.
Stroking Asfaloth, her noble white horse, Arwen spoke. You distress me, Eowyn. But I trust your words. And we can all sense the peril. We must leave this place at once. I do not wish to go east and approach more danger but to go west would mean for us to ride around the lake which would bring us in the path of the riders and make our escape impossible. We have chosen unwisely to rest here. She surveyed her surroundings as she spoke. |
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For the past two days the companions held a course west, fleeing from a horde of goblins and ill wolves that had pursued them since the morning of three days ago. They gained a start and by the dawn of the third day were sure that the pursuit has ended. The group came upon a lake, hidden in a valley between mountains and hills and were charmed by its beauty. They made their way down a hill towards a large, flat grassy area on the edge of the long lake. There they stopped for lunch and rest in the sun. They intended to go northwest around the lake, climb the hill there and continue their journey. In the south, mountains towered above the lake and no passage around seemed possible.
Now there was danger approaching from the north of the lake and even if they reached their only escape road in time, they could not stay hidden from the riders because the steep hill on the western shore theyd have to climb - in order to follow their present course - would expose them.
We cannot turn back east, speed is vital and we must bring tidings to Lorien. We cannot turn from our path!said Cirin, sensing the tension and urging her companions to reach a decision.
Joe sheathed his sword and mounting his horse, he said I wish there was another way but Cirin is right. We must chance our luck. Let us not delay, we havent much time!
At this Gollumsess made a noise in her throat and jumping up and down with excitement uttered No, no precious! It musstnt go north, no no. We knows a way, we do. Follows uss, precious, follows Smeagol! There, there! she gestured towards the mountains impatiently.
Gollum we cannot go south, there is no passage that way. Now stop messing about and come here. Deloriel shouted, clenching her fists.
Gollumsess pretended not to have heard as she continued There iss a gap between mountains, yess, where the current rushes, yess. We knows, we sees. Narrow for horses, not narrow for Smeagol, not for nice Elves, no no. Follows uss, we can hide. Quick! Not waiting for reply, Gollum started in the direction of the mountains.
Del snarled angrily, sprang lightly on her horse and galloped after the creature. Without further hesitation the group urged their horses forward. There was hope in Gollums voice amid all the fear and loathing and the companions picked up on it. They followed the creature, knowledgeable that where mountains were concerned, Gollum was the expert. As they neared the mountains, those with sharp eyes could make out the gap Gollum spoke of. A stream rushed between the stone walls, leaving the lake and flowing as a river under the mountain.
The sound of approaching hooves was now unmistakable. Eowyn turned her head to look and instantly wished she hadnt. Five black shapes appeared on the horizon and made their way down the hill towards the northern bank of the lake. There was a great distance yet between them and the company but if the Lady of Rohan could see the black riders, they could see her and her friends.
Wraiths! cried Eowyn They are Wraiths!
Deloriel turned her head to peer and seeing the black riders uttered a curse under her breath. As she caught up with the running creature she reached down and hauled Gollum up on her horse. The three elves and the human followed in a single file.
They were now nearing the gap and their horses were exhausted. They had not stopped on their journey for almost two days and the brief rest at the lake was not long enough for them to gather new strength. But the black horses of the Wraiths were close and speed was needed.
The company of six reached the end of the lake and the stream flowing from it. Mountains towered above them and they could see the peaks still covered in snow.
The gap in the mountain looked unnatural, almost as if crafted by skilful dwarven hands in ages long past. Through the gap ran a wild river. It seemed only a stream flowing from the lake when seen from far off but now the company noted its violent current. The stone walls were not very high, they met a few meters above their heads and opened like a door into a cave. On their eastern side a narrow ledge followed the river down into the mountain. It seemed wide enough to accommodate a single person but a horse would be in peril of falling into the wild river.
Gollums observation proved right. The mountain gap now seemed their only chance but none of the six save perhaps the slimy creature knew what to expect, once they got inside. The company made for the ledge and set to follow in a single file. The Elves and Eowyn would not be parted from their horses and none of Gollums protests seemed to change their minds. One by one they stepped onto the stony ledge and carefully, guiding their horses, walked into the gap.
Not daring to light torches they followed Gollumsess along their path, aware of the peril outside and conscious of dangers that may lurk within.
The sun went down to be replaced by the darkness of night. But neither moon nor stars were visible. The sky was heavy with clouds and soon it began to rain. Lightning stroke down from the heavens as the company vanished into the mountain.
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