The next morning they readied their supplies, said their goodbyes to the Elves, called their mounts, and set off through the forest, soon coming to the same split in the river. Following the path already known to Norfirion and Dreogan, the three made quick time through the dense brush before coming to the clearing in full view of the mountains. Their peaks appeared to impale the bright blue morning sky.
"So these are the famed Blue Mountains..." Laerorneth grimaced.
Norfirion nodded. "Yes, all swarming with Dwarves." He said dryly.
"Come, friends, they cannot be as bad as you speak. Was there not friendship between the Elves and Dwarves for many years?" Dreogan asked cheerfully.
"Yes, there was, before they ruined it." Norfirion spat.
"Calm yourself Norfirion, both sides were to blame for the breaking of the friendship, not just the Dwarves." Laerorneth placed a hand on her fellow Elf's shoulder, a powerful calm in her voice.
"Yes, yes… it is always just easier to blame the other side than to blame your own." Norfirion slowly nodded, frowning.
"Well then, let's get moving." Dreogan said, breaking the silence that had settled in between the Elves.
"Yes, let's." Norfirion with a disgruntled look at Dreogan and set off without another look unto the steep cliffs. Laerorneth glanced at Dreogan, and they hurried to catch up with their companion. They caught up with Norfirion, and began their descent down to the hill on their journey to the Blue Mountains.
After an uneventful several-hour ride through wood and plain, the travellers reached the start of the mountains. Dismounting their rides, the three left their horses and elk in the thinning woods. Soon the trees changed to rock and small tufts of grass sprouted with no pattern. As they approached the base of the first mountain, a stout figure came into view, sitting under a jutting rock and cooking a hare over an open fire. They continued on towards the figure as a deep, strong voice wafted over on the gentle breeze.
Standing tall, heads wreathed in cloud
Stand the Blue Mountains, high and proud
Mighty mountains, made of stone
Resolutely standing alone
With roots so deep they cannot move
Time itself has withered and grooved
Under them lives a group of stout dwarves
Mining out the mountains they call their homes
Forever standing till the world shall die
High and tall, touching the sky
With that they stood within hailing distance to him, he noticed them for the first time. His eyes narrowed and he stood, before unhooking the axe at his waist and jogging towards them, his long, dark beard trailing.
"Who might you be, strangers?" He called as he strode towards them. Norfirion groaned, Laerorneth's eyes narrowed at the sight of the weapon and Dreogan simply watched with interest.
"The same could be asked of you too, sir." Laerorneth said softly, her eyes still on his axe as her hand crept towards her daggers.
"Elves, hmph. And a Man? Don't see many of either of your kind up in these parts, aside from those accursed men of Carn Dûm. Now, state your business!" The Dwarf demanded.
"Dwarves are always so nosey!" Norfirion muttered, his hands straying to the concealed sheaths on his belt.
"I heard that!" The Dwarf snapped back.
Dreogan stepped up, between the Elves and Dwarf. "Enough of these petty squabbles!" The Dwarf smiled and Laerorneth and Norfirion looked at each other. "I am Dreogan of the Riddermark. These are my companions, Laerorneth of Lorien and Norfirion of Mirkwood. We are on a quest to Angmar to cleanse it of the evil growing there."
"Aye, sounds worthy enough. I am Knohr." The Dwarf nodded nodded. His eyes cut to the sword at Dreogan's waist. "That blade looks to be of proper Dwarvish make. Where did you get that, down where you are from?"
"I discovered it in the horde of trolls, three of which had been turned to stone close to Weathertop. This, along with many other treasures were in their possession."
The Dwarf's eyes widened. "Three trolls you say? Why, those were turned to stone by my kinsman and their company. Do you not know of Thorin Oakenshield? He and twelve others were captured by the trolls, but were rescued at dawn by Tharkûn, though you might know him as Gandalf."
"Alas, if only he were here. We have been having some problems of late. We would welcome any assistance." Knohr paused, then continued. "Even Elvish."
Laerorneth stepped forwards. "We would be glad to led our assistance. Lead us to your people."
Knohr gave a deep bow and lead them up the steep slope to a tunnel entrance in the mountain. Standing there were several Dwarves
"And who might you be?" A blond Dwarf spat. "Elves?"
"Silence, Miski. They've come to offer help." Knohr said.
"And we accept your help!" A particularly regal Dwarf said, stepping forth. He stood clad in gold and blue armor, and a large warhammer rested in his hands. "I am Drotinn, the leader of this company." Drotinn slammed his hammer into the ground, and gave a bow.
"I am Thrifi." Another Dwarf approached and bowed.
"And I am Khim." The final Dwarf bowed.
"Laerorneth of the Golden Wood." Laerorneth bowed in return.
"Norfirion of Mirkwood." Norfirion nodded his head slightly.
"Dreogan of the Riddermark." Dreogan gave a short bow.
"And why are you so far from your homes?" Drotinn asked.
"To spy on us, no doubt." Miski grumbled. Drotinn gave him a nasty look that would terrify even an Orc to the bone.
"We have come to assail the land of Angmar and defeat a terrible foe who has arisen once again." Norfirion said slowly, who had started to trust the Dwarves more now.
"A difficult quest, indeed." Drotinn mused.
"Yes, and it is one we cannot do alone, though it cannot be helped." Norfirion nodded with a sad look.
"Actually maybe we could send with you aid, if you help us first." Drotinn declared. "Not that the power of our Dwarves would do much against the black Angmar, but every bit of strength counts."
"So what exactly is your problem?" Norfirion asked with a curious look.
"My kin in the mountains are under siege by Were-worms and Stone Giants, who themselves are hunting the worms. Neither cares or knows about my people, and it is threatening our livelihood."
"The great Were-worms exist?" Laerorneth exclaimed in surprise. "We will see what we can do, but do not dare to hope." She said.
"Before you enter our realm, take these." Drotinn said, handing out small metal keys to the travellers. "Show these to the guard and you will not be harmed." The companions nodded and said their thanks. Laerorneth took the lead, pushing past the small pack of Dwarves and into the dark tunnel.
With one last sad look at the world of trees and nature outside Norfirion sighed and strode into the blackness. Dreogan followed his friend into the dark, glancing at the Dwarves as he went. Thrifi handed out torches, and after taking his, Norfirion marched ahead grumpily.
As soon as Norfirion set foot in the tunnel he new something was wrong. The others spoke softly as they traveled deeper into the dark. As they continued on, there was a rumbling noise, as if the roots of the mountains were shaking, and Norfirion turned around as the side of the tunnel ruptured open, spewing rock and closely followed by a twisting, writhing and thoroughly hideous being. Rocks came tumbling down, cutting Norfirion and his friends off from each other.
"Rhaich!" Norfirion shouted. Curses! Dust filled the air as the roof of the tunnel collapsed, sealing Norfirion off from his friends. "Dreogan! Laerorneth!" He coughed.
There was a bellowing roar, and muffled shouts from the other side, and it seemed that no one could hear to answer. The shouts and cries began to fade away into silence, and Norfirion was left alone in the dark, isolated from his companions. The rumbling started up once more, accompanied by the sound of scales slithering over stone as the beast moved away, but even those sounds soon faded away. Norfirion was quite alone.
Norfirion stood in numb horror as the realization of what had just happened sunk in. He was alone in a unfamiliar tunnel system full of Dwarves without a guide, and without knowing if his friends were alive or dead. He raised his torch to examine the rock piled up against him, and he knew if her were to make it back out, it would not be through this way.
. . .
Laerorneth looked up just in time to see the walls collapse, followed by a large snake like beast. She gave a shout of surprise as Norfirion disappeared from view and the creature turned to face them. It gave a mighty roar, blasting the company with its foul, hot breath.
"WERE-WORM!" Drotinn bellowed, swinging his war hammer into a fighting stance. The Were-worm lunged forward, knocking Drotinn back and forcing Laerorneth against the wall. The Dwarves started yelling angrily as Thrifi and Khim hammered the brute's snout. Their weapons bounced back, not even leaving a dent in the Were-worm's dragon hard scales. The great brute snapped at them, nearly managing to eat them whole. Laerorneth found herself pressed up against the creature's head, and she pulled her sword and plunged it into its beady eye. The beast howled in pain, trashing its long body back and forth, further collapsing the wall.
"Come on!" Dreogan shouted over the din, pulling Kohr to his feet. "RUN!" They sprinted away towards the faint light at the beginning of the tunnel, the beast sending one last blasting bellow after them. They made it out into the shelter of the woods where the dwarves stood doubled over and panting. Looking about, Laerorneth gave an anguished cry.
"Nae!" Alas! She cried. "Norfirion is still in there!"
"What?" Dreogan said, looking up in alarm. "Orctunge!" Orc tongue! He drew his weapon, turned and charged back towards the ruined tunnel, closely followed by Laerorneth.
"What are you doing?" Drotinn shouted. "You can't go back in there!" But they paid him no heed and continued their mad dash back to where they had last seen Norfirion. "Khor! Khim! Stop them before they are killed!"
The two dwarves rushed and grabbed them before more harm could be done. It took Khor, Khim and Miski to restrain Dreogan while Thrifi and Drotinn himself held Laerorneth back.
"Del! Álíesan mec!" Dreogan shouted angrily. No! Release me!
"Are the both of you crazy?" Drotinn yelled. "You are going to get yourselves killed by going back in there! You don't even know if your friend is still alive!" Laerorneth slowly stopped struggling.
"He is right, Dreogan." She said, her voice quiet and sad. "Norfirion may already be lost to us. In fact, it is likely that we can count on it. Lothron hon mán rad- i té na Mandos." She added softly. May his spirit find the way to Mandos. Dreogan stopped too.
"Then what are we to do next?" He asked.
"We should find a way to be rid of the Were-worms before more lives are lost." Laerorneth answered, casting a sorrowful look towards the mountains.
. . .
Norfirion roamed the dark, dusty tunnels searching for an exit from the gloom. He had been walking for a long while since the Were-worm had blocked his escape and he knew know where he was. He had no clue what he was searching for, just that he had to find a way out and a way back to his friends. While he was walking he said a silent prayer to Oromë, one of the Vala.
"Fasta resta ni a pâd ed hen feleg, and an nín ygwind Oromë." Please help me to find a way out of this cave, and to my friends Oromë.
When he had finished saying his prayer, he looked up and saw a path to the left from which light could be seen from. Norfirion decided to take that path, and soon voices filled the tunnel. At the end of the path was a great Dwarvish city, clamoring with inhabitants.
Yet more of these wretched Dwarves. he thought But I need a way out, and who best then the people who live here?
The Elf strode towards a Dwarf guard, who hefted a hammer. "Halt!" The Dwarf spoke forcefully. "What business does an Elf have in our realm?"
"I am Norfirion of Mirkwood." Norfirion said, and drew forth the metal key Drotinn had gifted him. "Your leader gave me this. Despite our differences, you have nothing to fear from me, for my companions and I have agreed to assist in your fight."
The Dwarf stared at Norfirion in the eye for several seconds, before smiling. "If Drotinn trusts you, you are indeed a Dwarf-friend. If you are helping us hunt the Were-worms, then you will like to know that we have located the nest of the worms."
Norfirion smiled. "Hunt them down to the nest? A difficult plan, but prudent. I will join you!"
"Good, good!" Dhuren said, rubbing his hands together. "You hear that lads? We attack the beasts in the morning. Meanwhile, get some grub for our new friend here." Several Dwarves scuttled around with supplies and kindling, and soon had a fire roaring. The cooked a rich dinner, and soon had settled around the blaze. Norfirion and the Dwarves began to warm to each other as the Elf told the tale of his journey and separation from his friends.
"The Were-worm cut us off from each other, you see, and collapsed the tunnel behind me. By the sounds I could hear, they were forced into battle. Norfirion said sadly. "I fear they did not survive."
"That is ill news indeed, yet I am impressed." Dhuren said. "You handle yourself well underground, for an Elf."
"Ah, for my realm contains many tunnels and underground passages. However, the Elves of Lorien would not be as please." Norfirion added, thinking of how Laerorneth would detest being so far underground.
"I suppose not!" Dhuren laughed. "How about you get some shuteye then? Don't worry about your safety for this night, we have more than enough Dwarves for the watch."
"Thank you friend." Norfirion said with a bow. "I will gladly accept your offer." Norfirion slept for many hours until the morn came, or rather he could only suppose it was the morn, the Dwarves woke him to start the attack.
"Follow, Norfirion of the Green Wood!" One of the Dwarves called, a pair of axes in his hands. "Dhuren is ready!"
Norfirion leapt to his feet and readied his weapons. His guide led him to where the party of Dwarves stood armed, listening to Dhuren's instructions.
"Stay quiet, and sneak into the lair. When I give the signal, be alert and attack!" The Dwarf leader whispered. "If only we had a burglar…" He added to himself. They set off down the large tunnels, which had the appearance of being ground with countless teeth. Far at the end of the twisting and winding tunnels the band came upon a cavern filled with the still forms of Were-worms.
"There are too many for us to overcome." Norfirion said softly.
"I know." Durhen grumbled. "We shall be hard pressed to succeed. Remember our friends and companions, Elf. They will not have died in vain!"
"Then I am with you!" The Elf said, unhooking his bow.
Dhuren grinned. "Leave none alive! Now, on my mark. One, two, THREE!"
The Dwarves and Elf charged at the sleeping worms, shouting war cries in Khuzdul. Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu!
"This is for blocking me in this pit of Udûn!" Norfirion shouted, igniting and shooting an arrow into the eye of a particularly large Were-worm. The worm's eye charred and it began writhing, before Norfirion sent a second arrow through its exposed stomach. Smoke trailed from the burning beast as it lay still.
"Dinner anyone?" Norfirion asked the Dwarves with a smirk.
Durhen laughed. "No, thank you, friend!"
As the battle raged, all of the Were-worms began to scream in unison and attempt to tear through the walls, driven away in a frenzy. Some made it through the stone and began to burrow away, while others were felled by the Dwarves as they crawled.
"After them!" A Dwarf cried, and cheers and shouts rang out through the cavern as they pursued the shrieking beasts down the fresh tunnels.
. . .
Laerorneth gazed dejectedly as the blocked tunnel in dismay before turning back to her companions.
"How are we to drive away the beasts?" Laerorneth asked dejectedly.
"I do not know, but I cannot think about anything of that sort while Norfirion is still in there." Dreogan said determinedly. "I'm going back in." Laerorneth cast another unsettled glance at the tunnel.
"He is right, Drotinn." She said to the dwarf. "We cannot abandon our friend so easily." Drotinn opened his mouth to argue, but was swiftly cut off by Miski.
"Who cares." Miski snapped. "Let her go after their friend. What is one more dead elf to us?" Laerorneth's face hardened in anger, but she otherwise remained calm.
"Drotinn, will you wait for us?" She asked calmly. Drotinn heaved a sigh.
"Alright." He said eventually. "Go in and have a look. We will wait here until sunset for you to come back, but no longer. I suggest you make your search short." Dreogan immediately turned back, marching swiftly to the tunnel, Laerorneth right behind him.
The entrance was dark, and all was quiet inside. Dreogan relit his torch and cautiously made his way forward. They walked side by side until they came to the area of attack. An avalanche of rock barred their way forward, and an empty Were-worm hole gaping on either side of the tunnel.
"I suppose there is no hope he got away, is there?" Dreogan said quietly.
"I am afraid not." She said softly, looking out at the rubble. "If he was not buried in the rock, he may be sealed in with no hope of escape. A near amarth an a ar edhel…." A sad fate for a noble elf…..
Dreogan sank to his knees and Laerorneth stood beside him, her hand resting on his shoulder. They stayed like that for a long while, mourning the loss of their friend. Slowly Laerorneth became aware of soft grating sound, as if harde scales were sliding stealthy over stone.
"Dreogan!" Laerorneth whispered, her face filled with a sudden fear. "Can you hear that?" Dreogan frowned.
"Hear what?" He asked, getting to his feet. A slow and even sound finally reached his ears, like the deep breathing of some large beast. They both slowly turned in horror, finding themselves face to face with the same Were-worm they had just battled earlier, it's blinded eye fortunately facing them. In unison the began to back away, careful to make not a sound.
Just then, Laerorneth backed over a peice of the rubble, falling backwards with a cry of alarm. Before Dreogan or Laerorneth could stop what happened next, the Palantír slipped from her satchel and rolled towards the beast. The Were-worm turned its head, it's good eye latching onto the Palantír. But to the surprise of both Dreogan and Laerorneth, the Were-worm recoiled from the Palantír, swinging its head back and forth in distress and hissing in agitation. It spat and hissed angrily, unwilling to come any closer to the large dark orb.
Laerorneth slowly stood, creeping towards the beast. The Were-worm hissed and bared its earth crushing teeth, swaying back and forth ominously. Laerorneth reached down and grasped the Palantír, holding it aloft towards the beast. It gave a blood-curdling screech and slowly backed away, hissing and snapping its fangs in distress. With one final screech, the worm retreated back the way it came.
"What just happened?" Dreogan asked in shock once the beast was gone.
"I do not know, but it seems that the Were-worms fear the Palantír." Laerorneth said, stowing the Palantír back out of sight. "Perhaps we have discovered how to be rid of these foul creatures."
"We are going to have to tell the Dwarves about this, are we not?" Dreogan said.
"I see no other way." Laerorneth answered. "We must trust them." She turned and made for the entrance of the tunnel. Once outside, the dwarves came out from the trees, their reactions at seeing the two again ranging from pleased to surley.
"Good, we were just ready to give up hope and call you two a loss." Drotinn said, both he and Khor looked pleased. "Come on, let's go somewhere safer." He led them off deeper into the woods where Khim and Thrifi already had a fire going. They cooked up a hearty dinner in the Dwarvish fashion, and shared it with the travelers. They finished their meal just as the sun finished setting, and they quickly got to discussing the business at hand by firelight.
"So I assume that you had no luck in finding your friend." Drotinn said, his face bathed in the glow of the fire.
"We did not." Laerorneth answered quietly.
"But we may have found a way to take care of your Were-worm problem." Dreogan said. He then described to the Dwarves the encounter with the Were-worm and their fear of the Palantír.
"Hmmmmm. I will not ask where you found such an artifact." Drotinn said, stroking his beard. "The real question becomes can it be used to drive them all away at once."
"I believe I may be able to wield it in a way that the Palantír's gaze is directed towards them, no matter where they are in the mountain." Laerorneth answered.
"Why you?" Miski grunted. "Why can't the Man of Rohan do it?"
"Do you question my ability to carry my will through the Palantír?" Laerorneth asked cooly. "As it is, let us see how Dreogan handles it." She placed the Palantír on the ground next to the fire and motioned for Dreogan to come closer. "Go on Dreogan. Pick it up." She urged him.
Dreogan reached for the orb, but could not lift it from the ground. He tried several times before it became clear that he would not succeed.
"I cannot." Dreogan said ruefully. "It is much heavier than it looks."
"You see, I am the only one here who can lift it single handedly." Laerorneth explained to the Dwarves. "The rest of you must be ready for when the Were-worms come out, just in case they are provoked into an attack."
"So this could backfire?" Khor asked.
"It may, but I believe that it would be unlikely." Laerorneth said confidently. Drotinn laughed heartily.
"I like this Elf!" He roared. "Where did you say you are from?"
"Lorien." Laerorneth said with a wry smile. "The Golden Wood, home of the Lady of Light." Several of the Dwarves expressions clouded over at this, none however, as much as Miski's.
"You come from the land of that accursed Elf witch?" Miski spat. "I would not go within a thousand leagues of that spider's golden webs, nor would I trust anyone who comes out from the sorceress' lair."
"I advise you hold your tongue, dwarf." Laerorneth said, standing swiftly, a burning rage in her eyes, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "Do not speak of things you know little of." The other Dwarves got very still, and even Dreogan was in fear of her wrath, for he had never seen Laerorneth looking more dangerous than she did now. Miski, however, was not finished.
"I will say what I like about such evil powers." Miski said haughtily. "And when I say spider of golden webs, I mean the dark spawn of Ungoliant that seeks to enchant all and trap us like flies, feasting upon our flesh and sucking away all life and hope." Laerorneth gave an enraged roar and leapt over the fire towards the dwarf, sword drawn.
"You have insulted me twice, but no one insults the Lady of Golden Wood and lives!" She screamed, her eyes burning with an unquenchable rage. "Glenn- na Udûn, saw!" Laerorneth threw herself at the Dwarf in a fury, causing her companions to shout in alarm. She was just about to smite the Dwarf when Dreogan tackled her from behind.
"Are you crazy?" The rohirrim shouted. "You just can't kill him!"
"HE INSULTED MY LADY!" She screeched. "HOW DARE HE! LET ME GO, DREOGAN!" Drotinn, who was busy restraining Miski, looked more angry with his Dwarf companion than Laerorneth.
"Miski, apologize!" He grunted, struggling to keep his flailing companion under control.
"I will not." Miski snarled stubbornly. "I meant what I said about the Elf witch." Laerorneth, still being held back by Dreogan, opened her mouth and began to sing defiantly.
In Dwimordene, in Lórien
Seldom have walked the feet of Men,
Few mortal eyes have seen the light
That lies there ever, long and bright.
Galadriel! Galadriel!
Clear is the water of your well;
White is the star in your white hand;
Unmarred, unstained is leaf and land
In Dwimordene, in Lórien
More fair than thoughts of Mortal Men.
Her fair voice faded, and she stopped struggling against Dreogan, still angry, but much calmer than she had been moments before.
"Unless I am mistaken, those are the words of Gandalf." Dreogan said, carefully letting go of Laerorneth.
"You are right." She said. "How I wish that Mithrandir was here. And you, Dwarf!" She spat at Miski. "I shall spare your life this once. You will not be so lucky the next time." She turned and climbed nimbly up a large oak tree, and sat on one of the sturdy branches, framed in moonlight, her knees pulled to her chest, framed in moonlight, her hood pulled over her head and her cloak wrapped tightly around her body.
Dreogan watched his companion with worry in his eyes. He followed to the base of the tree and placed his hand upon the trunk, gazing at up at the Elf.
"Laerorneth, are you alright?" The Rohirrim asked softly. "I have never been to the land of Lorien, but I know that your Lady is not what Miski says. Do not worry about it. I know Norfirion would not want you to."
"You do not know what he wants, because he is not here!" Laerorneth snapped back, still staring into the distance. Dreogan grimaced and withdrew a step as Laerorneth realized what she said. "I am sorry, Dreogan. It is just that I am saddened by the loss of Norfirion, and the words of the Dwarf are cruel and untrue. Tomorrow we shall honor Norfirion's loss by purging the worms from this realm."
"Indeed we shall." Dreogan said. "Will you come down now?" He questioned.
Laerorneth glowered out across the treetops. "No." She shook her head. "If I come down, I cannot promise that I will not kill the Dwarf. Tell the others to get some sleep; I will take first watch."
"Alright." Dreogan said, turning back to the dwarves. They had gathered themselves back around the fire. "Laerorneth will take first watch tonight. Now to the plan."
"I assume you mean using the seeing-stone?" Drotinn said with a curious look at Dreogan, who gave a sly smile and nodded.
"The plan Laerorneth and I have been concocting. As she said, we shall use the stone's influence on the Were-worms to give them cause to flee and from there the giants will follow."
"We're using this fool of a scheme?" Miski grumbled, but was silenced by a fiery glare from Drotinn.
"Yes, we are using this 'fool of a scheme.'" Drotinn declared, lifting his warhammer. He thrust the large weapon into the air. "At the dawn of the morrow we strike!" Dreogan grinned and with the exception of Miski, the other Dwarves cheered. Even Laerorneth gave an almost invisible smile from her tree. The Dwarves and Dreogan extinguished the fire as Laerorneth kept watch, lost in her thoughts. Soon they had settled down for the night, resting for the next day's battle. In the distance the sounds of giants throwing rocks could be heard as if thunder, yet nothing disturbed their sleep that night.
