AGARWAEN-BOR
CHAPTER 5 – FORCED REFUGE
Aranwë and Andú climbed up the steep foot of one of the many mountains that made up the range of the Misty Mountains. Morning was slowly turning to afternoon, and the rolling green plains beneath them showed no sign of bloodshed and looked peaceful, in spite of the battle that had occurred. After their flight back northward, Andú and Aranwë were waylaid by Orcs coming down from the mountains, and were forced to fight their way up its somewhat shallow feet. To make matters worse, several Orcs borne upon Wargs were seen riding south again, probably ready to report the direction that two of their assailants had taken.
"I think, however, that the Orcs are satisfied." Andú said, wiping his sweat-drenched brow. "They do not perceive that we had intended to go East and have two of us go West. I think they thought they had split up a group of travelers trying to all reach Gondor."
"I hope that you are correct." Aranwë said, having a much easier time at scaling the sheer wall of the mountain. He was swift and sure-footed and had trodden this path years earlier.
They did not notice a black shadow slowly making its way toward them, creeping up on them.
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Gandalf, Galadfân, and Gimli stood before the entrance to Rivendell. Gandalf seemed to be in deep discussion with one of the Elves.
Gimli turned to Galadfân. "You are of Gandalf's order, correct?"
"Yes." Said Galadfân, as he turned his piercing eyes on Gimli. Gimli felt is if Galadfân was looking through him, but instead he was looking inside of him. "You are of Durin's line, are you not, Gimli son of Gloin?"
"Yes, Master…Elf." Gimli said, not quite sure what to call the white robed figure that stood before him.
"To the learned of the Exiles, such as Lord Elrond, I am called an Istari, a Maia, but as I am in Elf form, you may call me an Elf."
"You have seen the Blessed Realm. Tell me of its beauty, for as a Dwarf I am forbidden to look upon the great dwelling place of the Elder King."
"I would not tell you of the beauty that lays in that land, for then your heart would desire it more than you could possibly guess. Before long passion for this land would drive you mad." Gimli was amazed at the stern Elf's wise words. "Though Aman's beauty shall not be as it once was until all of the Elves are once again within its boundaries, and after the Dagor Dagorath, whence the Two Trees shall be rekindled."
"Dagor Dagorath?"
"In the grey-elven tongue, Dagor Dagorath is the name of the Last Battle, when Melkor shall come forth from the void… I shall speak no more of that day… a great ability of foresight I have, and I can see the beginning and the end of the Last Battle, but the middle is unclear, and I fear there shall be great loss, before victory is attained, for the Spirit of Túrin shall fight alongside the Son of Manwë, and they shall slay Melkor in the end, and by Túrin's Black Sword shall be the House of Hador avenged." To this Gimli was amazed. The silence was broken when Gandalf came over.
"Excellent news Master Dwarf! It appears that Master Legolas has passed this way and is staying in Rivendell." The darkness from the tale of Galadfân that had descended upon Gimli's heart was now lifted. The Dwarf went to seek his friend.
"Olórin. I fear that Dúrfán new of our crossing the Mountains. A shadow has been hovering over my heart since we first set foot upon its slopes. Now that we are in Imladris, the Shadow has lifted, but he may still be pursuing us."
"I should hope that we did not lead him here, then. This evil cannot be contained by the power that lies here, and you I deem, are not yet prepared."
"Indeed. Olórin, you would be our only hope."
"I am not sure that I might defeat him. Though Sauron be defeated, I am sure that Lord Manwë should not wish for us to reveal any great strength."
"Indeed. It is not until my mind and my heart are clear shall I be prepared to confront Dúrfán, and both of which are clouded as of now."
"For now, you shall not be wearied, for we must meet with Lord Elrond."
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Aranwë and Andú had found a small cave in the side of one of the mountains. The rain was coming down swift and terrifyingly wrathful. They were forced to take refuge before they were thrown by the winds off of the mountain. "I sense some sort of dark presence. The Eldar are gifted with foresight, and I can see some sort of battle far off, yet so close. I fear that evil deeds are being done in the North, though we know of it not for sure." Andú pulled his blanket tighter around himself, but the torrent of rain outside made it almost impossible to fall asleep. He looked over at Aranwë, who was standing near the mouth of the cave looking out, as if trying to see something with his keen eyesight. He is more like one of the tall Numenoreans rather than a child of the Elder Kindred. Andú thought, staring at the stiff figure of the Elf. Aranwë whispered to himself: "An hit im nan lam le elleth." Before walking away from the mouth of the cave.