Nen

by Ithalir

"But mostly Ulmo speaks to those who dwell in Middle-earth with voices that are heard only as the music of water. For all seas, lakes, rivers, fountains and springs are his government; so that the Elves say that the spirit of Ulmo runs in all the veins of the world." A series of drabbles involving the waters of Middle-earth.

4. Wide and Deep and Deadly Cold

"Deep down here by the dark water lived old Gollum, a small slimy creature [...] He had a little boat, and he rowed about quite quietly on the lake; for lake it was, wide and deep and deadly cold." - J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

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The creature called Gollum paddled aimlessly around his subterranean lake, flat, flapping feet propelling his little boat with nary a sound or a ripple. Occasionally his grasping hands would dart into the black water to snatch a fish from its depths, and he would gurgle happily and horribly as he munched on his still-wriggling prize. The lake had sustained him for the better part of five hundred years, it and its denizens. Do not think that he was not grateful. Oh no, far from it. Only his Precious has taken better care of him than that water under the mountains.