Chapter 5
Long discussions have passed and Korkzz was yet not pleased with the offer made by Elvanshalee. She had the power to decide what to do and she intended to give an end to the pathetic life of the she-human. Humans are considered worthless as slaves among dark elves. That was the tradition.
-If indeed you want to claim this she-human to be your possession, you will have to improve your promise.
-But you find it useless, highness
-That is not of your business. If I say that you shall improve the payment promise, you shall do so!- answered angrily the matron.-Naught a single merchant has dared to defy my orders- and she grabbed firmly her whip and started to swirl it in the air. The menace was so intense that Korkzz could only do what she asked him to.
-Alright, your highness. No violence is required. I shall accept your proposition. Not only shall I give you all the poisons I have encounter or trade in the surface world but also I shall provide you with the deathly weapons ever made in both surface and in the Underground.
-Interesting negotiation this might be. Let me take a look at the poisons.
-This way, highness- said Korkzz leading the matron and her guards to his carriage, which was guarded by the orc servant, located outside the castle. The guards could never abandon her side due to the high rate of assassinations and war among the different Houses.
Down, down in the dark dungeons...
Gwirith was still being punished for being a human. Belgos, her designated guard, was brutally torturing her in every painful means. Her highness Elvanshalee had ordered him to finish with the pathetic life of the slave once the negotiation was in its final stages. Elvanshalee intended to deceive the merchant. There was no doubt about it. Belgos laughed openly and in a deathly sarcastic manner while seeing her suffering, and feeling almost weak in spirit and body. He was amused by the human bloodshed, the most entertaining event that could exist for the Dark elves.
Gwirith felt as if her life was already leaving her body. However, a strongly spiritual presence obliged her to continue to struggle and made her to chant the following prayer...
Valar, Valar, taura envinyatar
tirin hroanya a fëa morna herello
Valar, Valar, taura envinyatar
tirin hroanya a fëa morna herello (*8)
-No word should you ever utter again, slave. You shall die today- laughed Belgos, still waiting for the matron's command. The beating continued until finally Nalfein, one of Elvanshalee personal servant, rushed in with the latest tidings from her Highness.
-You shall proceed as you were command, Belgos. The negotiation is almost in its end.- said Nalfein and rushed back upstairs to his duty.
-Rise, you pathetic creature. Your suffering will come to an end.- said Belgos, taking her from the wrists and carrying her against her will to another place, up the stairs.
-Am I finally free from this tortures?- thought Gwirith while being forced to walk through the countless cold marble steps.
Gwirith was again drawn by the dark features sculpted on the walls. Spiders, battles, pain, blood and suffering, elements too familiar for her short life existence gone so far. The designs even emulated spiderwebs in the layout of the buildings, passages and corridors. Beyond the steps, she thought she was going to encounter the comforting light of the beautiful sun. However, she remembered that she must have been somewhere under the ground, for the air was closed there and darkness surrounded every inch of earth and building. A cold breeze forced her to shudder and that rough movement made Belgos pressed his grip harder on her wrists.
-Enough! I had enough pain already. Take my life, Valar and set me free. Release me from these torturous moments.
Again, she felt that spiritual presence, advising her not to surrender her life to darkness. The presence even spoke a few words to her.
-Áva lavá. Áva lavá. fëalya ná mírë, nán fealya ná úsintë ninna. Termara tuoya. Nalyë varna . Termara i cuilë cálë uryale ve ilvoro tyelma lícuma. (*9)
After that surreal moment, another one seemed to crept from an unknown origin/ source, inviting her mind and soul to depart from reality just for a few seconds.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The place was surrealistically aesthetic. What her eyes could appreciate were not a simple beach. It was a mixture of cloths spread on a canvas: one made of golden strokes which formed the sand surface, the other was of a bluish green/ aquamarine tone that created a translucent ocean, and a third one of a yellowish, light pink, mauve and maroon complement to create the illusion of a sky in midsummer day, at dawn.
Her sight was quickly attracted by 2 silhouettes near her position, one lying in the sand, the other in crouch position. While she approached them, the silhouettes became clear. One was an elf and the other a dolphin, and blood seemed flowing down from the. DOLPHIN! A great sadness overwhelmed her in such a way that brought tears to her eyes and her soul.
- How such a marvelous fair being could harm a creature in resemblance beauty and kindness?- said the warrior girl - Or is it common that fairness attracts death and pain .and blood?-
The human girl was directing her glance to a dolphin almost dead.
- My hand did not hurt this aching body nor my sword helped to spill this blood (or the blood of this heavenly creature) - said the elf before the reproaching-amazed look in/on her eyes.
- You filthy liar.- she uttered angrily. - Your words would not save your soul if indeed you possess one.
- My lady, you are mistaken.- said the blonde elf standing up, facing the she-human.
- Silence. Do not try to persuade me. What is more, do not feed my wrath, for it shall lead you to your doom.- she said in a menacing way, approaching the elf wielding her sword and resting its sharp end on the well-proportioned chest of the blonde elf.
- My doom is already upon my life/ existence, my lady.
- Stop addressing to me in such a formal manner. I am not of royal blood.
- Though your vigorous spirit says otherwise.
- Hush. Speak no further. Do not intend to enchant my humor nor deceive my actions with mortal devices/means(words). Now, state your name and position and explain to me why , for the Valar's sake, are you close to this poor dying dolphin?. Speak quickly! - she said losing her patience.
-My lady, I have just arrived and was looking into the horizon when I perceived an awkward feeling near me. I could not recall when I get here and why, but that I did. And I am discovering this atrocity with you. Forgive me if this view grieves your soul with such an intensity. I can assure you I could never be able to cause so much pain neither to this bless creature nor to you.
Her hand started to tremble and it was impossible for her to keep her long knife balanced.
This beautiful elf was partly forcing her to lose her grip on "reality" since his beauty excel the fairest being ever created by the Valar and the Maiar.............. and, at the same time, forcing her to dishonor her word, world and her loyalty to nature, not to become a natural born killer. Those hazel eyes were penetrating her soul with a piercing strength. They intended to project tranquility to the she-human and to report that his intentions were not evil ones.
The more she wanted to comprehend what her eyes were telling her, the more confused she was. However, something diverted her attention(the crying of dolphins)
- A lament. A bittersweet and grievous lament. I must leave- she said, leaving the elf with hundred of questions to make in his mouth. Then was he who return to his own call. The call of the Sea.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
-Nay!!!- screamed Legolas returning from his waking dream, which was shared with the she-human.- Great Valar, I finally meet the one that I must aid. However, why did I was called to take the ship to the Undying Lands? It cannot be my time to departure this Middle Earth, can it?. Nay, I shall deny its call until I do what I must. Furthermore, what hidden meaning carried that dying dolphin?. Perhaps, clearer is its meaning for her. Her, a she-human. Who is she?. What name does she bear?. What importance or relevance has to my own life, to my own destiny my contribution in her story, to save her life?.
Many more questions similar to these previous ones arisen in Legolas's mind as he let the surroundings filled his mind with the information he was needing and let the pure air filled his elven lungs.
-Where am I? Where is my horse?.- and when he raised his hand to his head, blurred images started to settle in his mind- the merchant!!. I knew his intentions were of some kind of evil nature.-
His eyes looked for clues of Korkzz's destination and his cunning elven eyes found some fresh tracks that led to a dark and strange passage. He was determined to give a closure to this complex story and decided to follow the tracks of the merchant, another being footprints, perhaps of an orc's , and the wheel tracks made by the heavy carriage.
Meanwhile, Gwirith's spirit continue to travel in that surreal place.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
-A lament. A bittersweet and grievous lament. I must leave- she said, leaving the elf with hundred of questions to make in his mouth.
Gwirith begun her intense search for the source of the dolphin's cry. She could not bear it any longer. The lament was so sad it made it unbearable for her. She seemed particularly affected by that sad song. It was as if her own soul broke into pieces by the mere thought of the dolphin's pain. Her journey towards the sad song remained in her being for hours. Though she knew where she was, at a bay, probably of Beleriand, she knew not where the lament came from, for it seemed near but far away.
A fog started to rise before her very eyes and it became so dense that made it impossible for her even to distinguish her own nose.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a loud and piercing skirl that echoed afar and beyond, specially in the depths of her soul and brain.
-Nay!!. Whoever is causing the dolphin to suffer, STOP IT!!!!. Nay!!! Nay!!! NAY!!!- Gwirith said bluntly shaking her head and pressing her fingers in both sides of her temple.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
-Nay!!!- she said and realized that a closed fist was about to encounter her face. And it did. More pain and blood.
-Stupid human. Stop that!!. You shall received a harder punishment if you shall not close your mouth.- whispered angrily Belgos in her ear and after separating himself a few inches away from her, he licked the inside of her ear with a lustful desire.
-I rather wish for you to kill me before my body is impregnated with your stench, before I had to bear your fetid odour one more time.- she said feeling repugnant.
But all she received was another slap in her face.
-Insolent. Your death shall be long and painful. You will wish for this encounter to have never occurred. I shall feast in your blood and I shall laugh at your dead, decaying corpus. Come here, slave. Do as I said unless you want to face your final moments. It is your decision.
Unable to respond, Gwirith just closed her eyes and entrusted herself to the will of the Valar. Legolas heard in his mind how she did her best to remain alive and how she pray for her life or a quick, painless death so as her soul could finally rest in peace. Hence, the blonde elf made a final effort and tried his best to protect her with his prayers and thoughts of hope.
(*8) Valar, Valar, mighty healers
(heed) Guard my body and spirit from Dark leaders
Valar, Valar, mighty healers
Guard my body and spirit from Dark leaders
(*9) -Do not yield (surrender). Do not yield (surrender). Your spirit(soul) is precious, though your identity is unknown to me. Keep your strength. You shall be saved. Keep the light of life burning like a never-ending candle.
Long discussions have passed and Korkzz was yet not pleased with the offer made by Elvanshalee. She had the power to decide what to do and she intended to give an end to the pathetic life of the she-human. Humans are considered worthless as slaves among dark elves. That was the tradition.
-If indeed you want to claim this she-human to be your possession, you will have to improve your promise.
-But you find it useless, highness
-That is not of your business. If I say that you shall improve the payment promise, you shall do so!- answered angrily the matron.-Naught a single merchant has dared to defy my orders- and she grabbed firmly her whip and started to swirl it in the air. The menace was so intense that Korkzz could only do what she asked him to.
-Alright, your highness. No violence is required. I shall accept your proposition. Not only shall I give you all the poisons I have encounter or trade in the surface world but also I shall provide you with the deathly weapons ever made in both surface and in the Underground.
-Interesting negotiation this might be. Let me take a look at the poisons.
-This way, highness- said Korkzz leading the matron and her guards to his carriage, which was guarded by the orc servant, located outside the castle. The guards could never abandon her side due to the high rate of assassinations and war among the different Houses.
Down, down in the dark dungeons...
Gwirith was still being punished for being a human. Belgos, her designated guard, was brutally torturing her in every painful means. Her highness Elvanshalee had ordered him to finish with the pathetic life of the slave once the negotiation was in its final stages. Elvanshalee intended to deceive the merchant. There was no doubt about it. Belgos laughed openly and in a deathly sarcastic manner while seeing her suffering, and feeling almost weak in spirit and body. He was amused by the human bloodshed, the most entertaining event that could exist for the Dark elves.
Gwirith felt as if her life was already leaving her body. However, a strongly spiritual presence obliged her to continue to struggle and made her to chant the following prayer...
Valar, Valar, taura envinyatar
tirin hroanya a fëa morna herello
Valar, Valar, taura envinyatar
tirin hroanya a fëa morna herello (*8)
-No word should you ever utter again, slave. You shall die today- laughed Belgos, still waiting for the matron's command. The beating continued until finally Nalfein, one of Elvanshalee personal servant, rushed in with the latest tidings from her Highness.
-You shall proceed as you were command, Belgos. The negotiation is almost in its end.- said Nalfein and rushed back upstairs to his duty.
-Rise, you pathetic creature. Your suffering will come to an end.- said Belgos, taking her from the wrists and carrying her against her will to another place, up the stairs.
-Am I finally free from this tortures?- thought Gwirith while being forced to walk through the countless cold marble steps.
Gwirith was again drawn by the dark features sculpted on the walls. Spiders, battles, pain, blood and suffering, elements too familiar for her short life existence gone so far. The designs even emulated spiderwebs in the layout of the buildings, passages and corridors. Beyond the steps, she thought she was going to encounter the comforting light of the beautiful sun. However, she remembered that she must have been somewhere under the ground, for the air was closed there and darkness surrounded every inch of earth and building. A cold breeze forced her to shudder and that rough movement made Belgos pressed his grip harder on her wrists.
-Enough! I had enough pain already. Take my life, Valar and set me free. Release me from these torturous moments.
Again, she felt that spiritual presence, advising her not to surrender her life to darkness. The presence even spoke a few words to her.
-Áva lavá. Áva lavá. fëalya ná mírë, nán fealya ná úsintë ninna. Termara tuoya. Nalyë varna . Termara i cuilë cálë uryale ve ilvoro tyelma lícuma. (*9)
After that surreal moment, another one seemed to crept from an unknown origin/ source, inviting her mind and soul to depart from reality just for a few seconds.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The place was surrealistically aesthetic. What her eyes could appreciate were not a simple beach. It was a mixture of cloths spread on a canvas: one made of golden strokes which formed the sand surface, the other was of a bluish green/ aquamarine tone that created a translucent ocean, and a third one of a yellowish, light pink, mauve and maroon complement to create the illusion of a sky in midsummer day, at dawn.
Her sight was quickly attracted by 2 silhouettes near her position, one lying in the sand, the other in crouch position. While she approached them, the silhouettes became clear. One was an elf and the other a dolphin, and blood seemed flowing down from the. DOLPHIN! A great sadness overwhelmed her in such a way that brought tears to her eyes and her soul.
- How such a marvelous fair being could harm a creature in resemblance beauty and kindness?- said the warrior girl - Or is it common that fairness attracts death and pain .and blood?-
The human girl was directing her glance to a dolphin almost dead.
- My hand did not hurt this aching body nor my sword helped to spill this blood (or the blood of this heavenly creature) - said the elf before the reproaching-amazed look in/on her eyes.
- You filthy liar.- she uttered angrily. - Your words would not save your soul if indeed you possess one.
- My lady, you are mistaken.- said the blonde elf standing up, facing the she-human.
- Silence. Do not try to persuade me. What is more, do not feed my wrath, for it shall lead you to your doom.- she said in a menacing way, approaching the elf wielding her sword and resting its sharp end on the well-proportioned chest of the blonde elf.
- My doom is already upon my life/ existence, my lady.
- Stop addressing to me in such a formal manner. I am not of royal blood.
- Though your vigorous spirit says otherwise.
- Hush. Speak no further. Do not intend to enchant my humor nor deceive my actions with mortal devices/means(words). Now, state your name and position and explain to me why , for the Valar's sake, are you close to this poor dying dolphin?. Speak quickly! - she said losing her patience.
-My lady, I have just arrived and was looking into the horizon when I perceived an awkward feeling near me. I could not recall when I get here and why, but that I did. And I am discovering this atrocity with you. Forgive me if this view grieves your soul with such an intensity. I can assure you I could never be able to cause so much pain neither to this bless creature nor to you.
Her hand started to tremble and it was impossible for her to keep her long knife balanced.
This beautiful elf was partly forcing her to lose her grip on "reality" since his beauty excel the fairest being ever created by the Valar and the Maiar.............. and, at the same time, forcing her to dishonor her word, world and her loyalty to nature, not to become a natural born killer. Those hazel eyes were penetrating her soul with a piercing strength. They intended to project tranquility to the she-human and to report that his intentions were not evil ones.
The more she wanted to comprehend what her eyes were telling her, the more confused she was. However, something diverted her attention(the crying of dolphins)
- A lament. A bittersweet and grievous lament. I must leave- she said, leaving the elf with hundred of questions to make in his mouth. Then was he who return to his own call. The call of the Sea.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
-Nay!!!- screamed Legolas returning from his waking dream, which was shared with the she-human.- Great Valar, I finally meet the one that I must aid. However, why did I was called to take the ship to the Undying Lands? It cannot be my time to departure this Middle Earth, can it?. Nay, I shall deny its call until I do what I must. Furthermore, what hidden meaning carried that dying dolphin?. Perhaps, clearer is its meaning for her. Her, a she-human. Who is she?. What name does she bear?. What importance or relevance has to my own life, to my own destiny my contribution in her story, to save her life?.
Many more questions similar to these previous ones arisen in Legolas's mind as he let the surroundings filled his mind with the information he was needing and let the pure air filled his elven lungs.
-Where am I? Where is my horse?.- and when he raised his hand to his head, blurred images started to settle in his mind- the merchant!!. I knew his intentions were of some kind of evil nature.-
His eyes looked for clues of Korkzz's destination and his cunning elven eyes found some fresh tracks that led to a dark and strange passage. He was determined to give a closure to this complex story and decided to follow the tracks of the merchant, another being footprints, perhaps of an orc's , and the wheel tracks made by the heavy carriage.
Meanwhile, Gwirith's spirit continue to travel in that surreal place.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
-A lament. A bittersweet and grievous lament. I must leave- she said, leaving the elf with hundred of questions to make in his mouth.
Gwirith begun her intense search for the source of the dolphin's cry. She could not bear it any longer. The lament was so sad it made it unbearable for her. She seemed particularly affected by that sad song. It was as if her own soul broke into pieces by the mere thought of the dolphin's pain. Her journey towards the sad song remained in her being for hours. Though she knew where she was, at a bay, probably of Beleriand, she knew not where the lament came from, for it seemed near but far away.
A fog started to rise before her very eyes and it became so dense that made it impossible for her even to distinguish her own nose.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a loud and piercing skirl that echoed afar and beyond, specially in the depths of her soul and brain.
-Nay!!. Whoever is causing the dolphin to suffer, STOP IT!!!!. Nay!!! Nay!!! NAY!!!- Gwirith said bluntly shaking her head and pressing her fingers in both sides of her temple.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
-Nay!!!- she said and realized that a closed fist was about to encounter her face. And it did. More pain and blood.
-Stupid human. Stop that!!. You shall received a harder punishment if you shall not close your mouth.- whispered angrily Belgos in her ear and after separating himself a few inches away from her, he licked the inside of her ear with a lustful desire.
-I rather wish for you to kill me before my body is impregnated with your stench, before I had to bear your fetid odour one more time.- she said feeling repugnant.
But all she received was another slap in her face.
-Insolent. Your death shall be long and painful. You will wish for this encounter to have never occurred. I shall feast in your blood and I shall laugh at your dead, decaying corpus. Come here, slave. Do as I said unless you want to face your final moments. It is your decision.
Unable to respond, Gwirith just closed her eyes and entrusted herself to the will of the Valar. Legolas heard in his mind how she did her best to remain alive and how she pray for her life or a quick, painless death so as her soul could finally rest in peace. Hence, the blonde elf made a final effort and tried his best to protect her with his prayers and thoughts of hope.
(*8) Valar, Valar, mighty healers
(heed) Guard my body and spirit from Dark leaders
Valar, Valar, mighty healers
Guard my body and spirit from Dark leaders
(*9) -Do not yield (surrender). Do not yield (surrender). Your spirit(soul) is precious, though your identity is unknown to me. Keep your strength. You shall be saved. Keep the light of life burning like a never-ending candle.