Chapter Fourteen: Darkness
They stood outside a wall of rock, the two day journey back along the trail traveled in silence. Tiernan stared at the wall, running his hands over the bare expanse of rock. Haldir watched him, eyes narrowed, waiting. The drow continued to move along the wall, running his hand over the smooth sandstone, pushing aside the small brush. A large shrub blocked his way, and he pushed it aside, sliding between the plant and the wall. Suddenly he was gone. Haldir gripped his sword, but waited patiently. A moment later Tiernan returned, smiling in satisfaction.
"The entrance remains open," he said, and turned back around, the others following quickly.
They slid around the shrub, and beside them the wall of rock dropped back, effectively hiding the entrance to the cave. From outside the wall seemed solid, the bush hiding the separation in the stone wall. They stepped inside, the light dimming quickly, as the cave narrowed into a short tunnel. Once through the tunnel, the cave opened back into a large chamber, lit from above by a small hole in the ceiling of the cave. Beams of light filtered down, motes of dust dancing in the shafts, disturbed by the elves feet. Several tunnels branched off from the cave, leading down into darkness.
Tári turned around, wishing the light would stay with them, but knowing once they stepped in the tunnels, the light would fade quickly. She pulled her cloak away from her neck, glancing into the shadows of the chamber.
Tiernan stepped next to her, glancing at Keliar. "As drow you will find you can see well in the dark, once the light of the sun is gone. Surface elves can see also, but not as well as you. You will have to be sharp. There are many dangers ahead."
Tári nodded, gripping the bow she held over her shoulder. Keliar frowned, gripping the drow's sleeve.
"Haldir puts great trust in you, I hope you appreciate what he does."
Tiernan met Keliar's gaze firmly. "I do what I can, I do not make promises. But Windred speaks highly of you, I trust her judgment."
They entered one of the tunnels, the narrow confines forcing them into single file. Tiernan led them, followed by Haldir, Tári, Rúmil, Orophin and then Keliar. The darkness swallowed them, once they passed the first curve of the tunnel. Tiernan paused for a moment to allow them to adjust to the dimmer light.
Haldir glanced back at Tári. In the near dark, all three drow's eyes had begun to glow an eerie yellow color. His own eyes and that of the surface elves glowed in a silvery sheen. He shifted his hand to his sword, and turned to Tári, gripping her arm. "You can see better than I here, so you will have to watch out for the spiders," he whispered, laughing at the expression of disgust and horror on her face.
"You did have to remind me, didn't you?" she growled, looking around her carefully.
Rúmil chuckled, "don't worry, Tári. If one lands on you I will be sure to brush it off."
Tári shuddered, trying not to imagine that happening. "Stop it, you two. You're incorrigible." She pushed past Haldir, seeing Tiernan grin, and they continued down into the tunnel.
The darkness if possible seemed heavier, pressing down on Haldir as they walked, deeper into the bowels of the earth. A full days walk brought them little respite from the never ending darkness. A few moments rest here and there. Little crossed their path, just a few rodents at first, spiders scrabbling on the wall. He grinned, remembering Tári's soft muttering at those, the way she had eased closer to him. He had not thought she truly was afraid of the tiny creatures, but knew they made her uncomfortable.
Tiernan rounded yet another corner, his white hair barely gleaming in the dim light. Haldir felt Tári stiffen and stepped aside when she brushed past him quickly. Her soft whisper of warning halted Tiernan and they flattened against the wall of the tunnel.
In a few moment, a loud scratching sound could be heard, and Haldir gripped his sword. What manner of creature made such sounds, loud as they were? It was not a small creature. Tiernan glanced at him, his eyes glowing as they did, over Tári's head. Spider, he mouthed toward Haldir, glancing at Tári. Haldir grinned.
Tári heard the scrabbling sound, uneasiness shouting danger in her head. Haldir's very quiet chuckle told her what was coming. She shivered, screwing her face into expression of disgust, pushing away the fear that came with it. A spider, and a big one.
Tiernan pulled a blade from his wrist, another measure of Haldir's trust in him. The others pulled out swords and spread out in the tunnel. The tunnel was too small to hide from the spider, already he could sense the creatures hunger. He could use his magic to stun the creature, but that would only alert the other drow that they were here.
Haldir felt Tiernan tense as the spider drew nearer. Haldir could now see the red eyes, hundreds of red quivering dots. The spider's body was only a dark shadow, but the eyes glowed with hunger. It would find no dinner here.
The elves converged as one, each taking aim at the lower body of the spider, dodging the legs that reached out to trap them. Their quickness and agility angered the creature, forcing the spider back along the way it had come. It hissed, darting legs trying to capture one of them, but the elves were too quick. They stabbed the creature, delving their swords into the tender underbelly, and the spider screeched in pain, sliding back along the tunnel, scrambling away from them. It disappeared into a side passage and the elves drew together.
Rúmil sheathed his sword, lightly touching Haldir's sleeve. "I sense that something more than such creatures as that spider watches us closely."
Haldir nodded. "Aye. Tári has said nothing. Perhaps she feels no danger from it."
Rúmil frowned glancing around him into the dark shadows of the underworld. "Aye, no danger, at least not yet."
* *
Tári felt the presence of the Goblins long before she heard them. A light touch on Haldir's shoulder confirmed he felt them as well. How long had he known? She had not sensed any danger until now. They were closing in. A trap? She crouched down when Tiernan turned back to Haldir, his eyes glowing in the dark shadows.
"Goblins! They are stupid, but still dangerous. They think they have us trapped." Tiernan whispered quietly, the sound still echoing in the stone chamber.
Haldir gripped his sword, he had no fear of Goblins. They were slow creatures, ungainly. But tough and resilient. "What do you propose?"
Tiernan looked back over his shoulder. "If we engage them, our advantage of surprise will be gone. If any escape, word will surely reach my home that we are here. We have spies among many of the races who live in this world."
"How do you manage to avoid all those who live here among you? There must be gnomes, dwarves who know of your city." Haldir asked softly.
"Aye, they know. They know to avoid it if they wish to live, or remain free. We have a boundary in which we stay for the most part." Tiernan whispered hoarsely, his expression grim. "For the most part."
"And the goblins?"
"I suggest we evade their trap. There is a hidden tunnel ahead, it leads to the entrance to my city. Another few hours and you will look upon Nebecazer." Tiernan folded his hands into his sleeves.
A nervous gesture Haldir had come to recognize. Haldir looked back at the elves behind him, his gaze lingering for a moment on Tári. He sighed softly. "Then that is what we must do."
It was the longest day of Haldir's life, and still it was not over. The path in the tunnel was tight. Several times it'd been difficult for him and Kiernan to fit through. Had it been too easy? The journey had not been fraught with the dangers he'd expected. Most had been avoided. Was Tiernan more cunning than he'd given him credit for? His concerns grew the closer they came to the underworld city. His grip tightened on his sword. How would they get into the city? He did not like to rely so heavily on Tiernan's word, or strategy. A light touch on his sleeve made him turn his head. A soft touch on his lips told him she felt his worry. His lips twitched in amusement at her quiet reminder.
They crouched down high above the city, the tunnel leading out into a cavern that stretched across more than three miles. Far below them, built in the rocky valley of the cavern lay the city of Tiernan's people, Nebecazer. It glowed brightly after the darkness of the tunnels, but not with the glow of lamplight, but rather an infrared glare that the elf's eyes had already adjusted to. Large stone houses seemed as much a part of the floor of the cave as built above it, their forms mimicking the shapes of the stalagmites, stalactites, and boulders that had already been formed into the floor. The streets crossed at odd angles, nothing seemed to flow straight, but rather disjointed, a harsh staccato of streets, buildings and homes that in its disarray created a sense of unity.
Tiernan glanced at Haldir and the others. "My city. Do you sense the darkness, Tári?"
Tári wrapped her arms around herself. Sense it? It'd been beating her over the head almost since they entered the tunnel. The effort to force herself to continue despite the warnings flooding her head had made her weary. She sighed. "Aye, I feel it. I see it, a dark shadow that hovers over the city, like a blanket."
Tiernan smiled. "A good description. My home lies just below us. We shall enter through another tunnel. One only I know of."
The tunnel was hidden by a huge boulder, so massive Haldir stared at Tiernan in concern. They could not use his magic to lift the boulder. He frowned when Tiernan smiled at him.
"A clever illusion, Haldir. The boulder is not what you see." Tiernan moved closer to the rock, and Haldir's brows rose when he seemed to walk into the stone, his form blurring the distinctive edge of the stone. A grating sound and Tiernan turned around walking away from the rock. He motioned for the elves to enter and they walked forward, passing through the illusion of solid rock, dropping into a hole in the floor of the cave. The hole dropped ten feet down, and the elves landed lightly, bows drawn quickly, when Tiernan followed. "I had to reset the illusion, not only for sight, but touch were anyone to lean against the stone."
"But that must be done magically." Tári said softly.
Tiernan smiled, "Aye, but really a child's trick, so simple an idea that it works wonderfully. It will not be noticed." He grinned, and pushed past the elves to hurry deeper into the tunnel.
They came out in a small courtyard. Tall stone walls embraced them, the courtyard barely twenty paces across. The walls were carved in elaborate designs, and Tári gasped, recognizing several that were similar to ones they used at home. Truly they were of the drow. She brushed her fingers over the designs, but pulled away. Even the stone felt cold and uninviting. They followed Tiernan into a large hallway, and stopped abruptly when two drow turned in surprise when they entered the hall from behind a large tapestry.
"Tiernan! Praise the Black Queen, we thought you would never return!" One drow hurried forward, clasping Tiernan's hand.
Tiernan turned to Haldir who had stiffened at the sight of the drow. "My brother, Torin. Do not be concerned." Tiernan turned back to the drow. "I bring word from the Lady of Light, and her emissaries."
Torin stared at the surface elves, and then in surprise at Tári and Kiernan. "So the stories are true. They survived."
Tiernan glanced at Tári. "Aye. Unlike those who were sent with me. Only by the grace of the one before you am I now here. What news of our journey has been told?"
Torin drew Tiernan aside. "What do you mean, Tiernan? Reports came in that all were destroyed, the Laiquendi, as well as those with you. I suspected lies, but had no way to know the truth."
"A mixture of truth and lies. Only I survived, but the elves of the surface still live. They are far superior to what we have been taught. It is well we do not venture into their world often. I fear it is not of my own free will that I have returned."
Torin stared at Haldir. "He looks familiar, Tiernan. Why?"
Tiernan glanced at the March Warden. "I have his father."
Torin stiffened. "I should have seen it at once. Of course it is why you are alive."
Tiernan gripped his brother's sleeve. "Aye, but understand, Torin, this one is stronger than any I have seen. He is pure, a creature of the light, and the Lady's captain. I owe him my life."
"So you could lead them here? Are they fools? Even now you will have passed the sentinels at the perimeter, your presence in the city will soon be felt by the black queen. Your time fades quickly, brother. What do you intend?" Torin folded his arms, his dark eyes glowing brighter, the yellow glow of a wolf in hiding.
Tiernan sighed. "I intend to release the Lórien slave to Haldir, then lead them back out to the surface. It will not be an easy journey."
"Nay, you will be lucky to leave the compound, Tiernan. But we will do what we can. Your household supports you to the death. You have many loyal friends here. Perhaps it is as it should be, for you have always been fair in your treatment of us. An unusual trait among the drow."
Tiernan nodded and stepped into another chamber, motioning for them to follow. "Your easy path is done, Haldir. What happens now, I have no control over. Torin is right, even now the Black Queen's guards march upon my home. Our time is short."
Haldir gripped Tiernan's tunic. "Then be quick, drow. You have led us fairly, now lead me to my father."
* *
Galadriel leaned back into her chair, searching with her mind for her people. Where were they? Had they reached the city? Had she been overconfident in her wardens to allow them to go into the drow world? For an age she had received occasional messages, discreet, short, questioning thoughts from the drow world. All races had their light and dark sides, including those destined to follow the paths of Morgoth and the dark shadows of Sauron. It was the side that clamored for truth and goodness that had reached her.
She had felt so helpless when she had seen that Halcyon still lived. Their whispered words had sent her to her mirror for confirmation. Shaking, she had stepped away, falling into Celeborn's arms. Dismay, horror, guilt had all swept through her. Frustration, for she had known no way to reach him, to bring him back. And so, the truth had lain within her. Each day that she had looked upon Haldir and his brothers, the knowledge had darkened her heart, for she could not tell them.
But the Valar had taken pity, and now her most trusted wardens were among those who could kill with a thought. Galadriel sank to the bench in her leafy bower, staring at the mirror. Not many times in her long life had Galadriel known real fear, or powerlessness, but today those emotions swept over her.
Celeborn strode down the curved mossy steps, sensing his wife's despair. He leaned over her where she sat hunched, her eyes closed.
"Galadriel, come," he whispered, pulling the tall elven woman to her feet. Her deep blue eyes were haunted, shadowed by her fear. Celeborn drew her close, wrapping his arms around her. "They will return. The Valar will not be so cruel as take them all from us."
Galadriel sighed, comforted by the strong arms of her husband, lover and today, her strength. How many times had she used his strength, whether physically or mentally, to fortify her own will? After the thousands of years they were as one. She smiled, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"You are right, Celeborn. The shadows seek to frighten me, and weaken my mind. I must go to Tathar and Aranel. They grow weary of the wait."
"They are strong, Galadriel. Tathar knows the dangers they face." He wrapped his hands alongside Galadriel's face, smiling as he kissed her nose. "Look into your mirror, perhaps the mirror will reveal something to you."
Galadriel glanced at the silver basin. "I have feared to look, Celeborn. Feared to see what the mirror would reveal."
Celeborn smiled. "Who knows what it may reveal, but I am certain it would be better to learn something."
Galadriel sighed quietly, and glided to the stream that flowed through the bower. Lifting the silver pitcher gently, she filled the vessel. Slowly and reluctantly she poured the water into the silver basin and leaned over it.
* *
Tiernan sighed and pushed away Haldir's hands. He turned and slid open another panel, making his way swiftly down a descending hall leading deeper under the house. They passed several servants, who with startled glances dropped swiftly to their knees. They reached the end of the passageway and Tiernan turned into a large cavern. A kitchen of sorts, long benches and tables were set here, empty now. He crossed the large room, and stopped before a large door.
"This is the servants' quarters."
"Slave quarters." Haldir corrected.
Tiernan's chin rose. "I have treated them as well as I could." He swept open the door and strode quickly inside.
A long hall stretched before them, and through the doors along the hall, Haldir could see them. Dwarves, goblins, Orcs and a multitude of other races he sometimes could not name stared out at him blankly. Was his father like this? Stripped of his will, his essence? Haldir's lips tightened, and he pushed the thoughts away.
Tiernan stopped before a door and turned back to Haldir. He said nothing, but only waited. Haldir paused, staring at the drow. A trap? Nay, he must trust this one. He turned and opened the door, glancing back at his brothers. They would remain outside.
Haldir entered the chamber. The room was dark as all the underworld was, but here there was no infrared lighting that brightened the outer corridors. He stood still for a moment, his eyes adjusting to the darkness of the cell. Dark shadows still hovered in the corners. His sight not being equal to that of the drow, he could not totally dispel the darkness. He gripped his sword, turning in the light of the doorway, glancing around him.
At first it seemed empty, and he began to turn back to the door when a faint sound from one of the darkened corners caught his attention. Haldir turned toward the sound, staring into the shadows. Dimly, he could make out a large form that sat curled against the wall. Haldir stepped forward, but then stopped. Was this his father? He could not see well enough to know.
"I have come to take you home, father." Haldir said softly, staring at the dim shadow before him.
A long moment of silence stretched between them, disturbed only by the soft scratching of some rodent in another corner of the room. The dim form moved slightly. Haldir could see that he had raised his head. Still in the darker shadows, Haldir could not see him well enough.
"Take me home? And where is home?" a deep voice spoke ruefully, a hoarse whisper of one who had not spoken in a long while.
Haldir gritted his teeth, controlling the urge to leap toward the shadows before him. "Home, Lothlórien."
The form sighed deeply, and moved a bit more, but did not come forward. "I have no home of that name."
Haldir stepped closer and the creature before him put out his hands to ward him off. "Lothlórien is your home, and it awaits you."
The shadow was silent. Haldir waited.
"A beautiful place, Lothlórien." The shadows whispered.
"Aye."
The creature lowered his arms, but remained seated. "That place no longer exists for me."
Haldir jaw hardened with resolve. "Nay, that is not true."
The creature shook his head, and in the dim light Haldir saw the flash of silver hair. Haldir gritted his teeth, controlling the urge to leap toward the shadows before him. He crouched down.
"Are you well?" Haldir asked gently.
The shadow darkened as the creature Haldir knew for certain was an elf moved warily. "Why?" The elf looked up, and Haldir could see the faint silver glow of his eyes.
"I need to know if you can walk. Or run if need be."
The elf in the shadows laughed harshly. "Run? To where? This dream I have frightens me." A long pause followed. "Long have I waited for you or another like you." Another pause. "My hopes died years ago," the elf added slowly. "Now I only have dreams which in truth are nightmares."
"I am no dream." Haldir said softly.
The shadows quivered for a moment as the creature stiffened, still crouching. "Who are you?"
Haldir frowned. "Can you not see?"
The form in the shadows sighed deeply. "See? Nay, I cannot. What light the cursed drow call light is blocked by your form, I see only a shadow. A nightmare come to haunt me once again."
Haldir smiled then. He leaned forward, stretching out his hand into the shadows. "Let me help you."
The form was silent, then in the dim light a hand reached out to grip Haldir's. Haldir pulled him upright, and into the light of the doorway. The shadows drew back and Haldir held his breath as the elf stepped forward. He was a tall elf with long silver hair pulled back behind his neck. The elf's eyes were trained on the floor, but slowly they rose, following the line of Haldir's boots, to his knees, his tunic, and then his eyes widened in shock as recognition set in. The color drained from the elf's face. He staggered slightly and Haldir tightened his grip on the elf's hand.
"Blessed Elbereth, Haldir!" The elf swept Haldir into a embrace he remembered all too well, and Haldir wrapped his arms around his father. "I cannot dare to believe you are real. Long have I wished to see you, knowing you must be grown. You cannot know, but it is what has kept me sane. All these years, holding onto thoughts of you and your brothers, imagining you in Lorien." He stepped back, but continued to grip Haldir's shoulders. Then he frowned. " But you have come for naught, for now you too will become a slave. Why have you done this?"
"I am taking you home."
The elf laughed, staring moodily into grey eyes so like his own. "Home, how? Already it is too late."
"You underestimate the will of your son, Halcyon." Tiernan spoke from the doorway. "As I underestimated him. Come, we must hurry."
Halcyon pulled away. "Only seeing you, Tiernan, can I believe what my eyes and heart tell me to be true. What have you done? They will destroy you."
Tiernan sighed. "My life, as I knew it, was destroyed the day I left for the surface, Halcyon. Come, we must go." Tiernan led them out into the hall and Halcyon stopped again in shock.
"Can I believe these two are also my sons?" he whispered in joy, staring at both Rúmil and Orophin. The brothers grinned, gathering Halcyon into a bone crushing embrace. Halcyon stepped back, gripping both elves' shoulders to look at them.
"I am truly blessed by the Valar to have such brave children." Halcyon nodded at Tiernan, who stood waiting patiently. They ran back into the house, coming out into the corridor in which they had originally emerged to find their way blocked by a group of drow. They were tall, dressed completely in black, and their eyes glowed with a eerie hunger. Tiernan pushed them back into the kitchen, slamming the door behind him.
"It will not hold even were we to pile all these tables against it, they have priestesses with them." Tiernan gasped, heading across to the slave quarters again.
Haldir gripped his arm, spinning Tiernan to face him. "What does that mean?" he demanded. Tiernan scowled, wrenching his arm free.
"They will use magic to defeat the door!" His words were drowned out by the shattering of the wood. Splinters flew in all directions as the door burst apart. They ran into the passageway. "Open the slave doors, they perhaps will slow them down!" Tiernan shouted, hauling open the heavy doors to the slave rooms. They reached the end of the passageway, the slaves filing out into the hallway in confusion just as the black watch guards reached the door. Shouts of anger and cries of confusion filled the hallway as Tiernan led them into a smaller passageway.
Tiernan turned around. "We have to get back to the passageway above. The tunnel is our only chance." He turned to Tári. "Now you must use your sense of perception, Tári. We need to know how many are following."
Tári stared at him, then closed her eyes, concentrating on the life forms struggling outside. She opened her eyes. "Ten, plus the priestess. She is chanting."
Tiernan scowled. "A spell. Hurry, I will shield the door, but my magic is weak compared to hers. Follow this passageway to the end, and there will be a trap door above you. It leads into a bed chamber. Wait for me there."
Haldir's eyes narrowed, and he frowned. It didn't feel right. He turned when a hand touched his shoulder.
"Tiernan will lead you true, Haldir. He has been the closest thing I could call a friend these past years," Halcyon said softly, gripping his son's sleeve tightly. Haldir stared at him for a moment as well, and Halcyon laughed quietly. "You cannot decide whether to trust me! No," he said at Haldir quick shake of his head. "Do not deny it. I would not if I were in your place. You do not know what things I have known, or what spells they have placed me under. But I tell you this, on the will of the Valar, that you can trust him."
Haldir gave a short nod and waved Keliar to lead them further into the tunnel. He followed, glancing back at Tiernan who had closed his eyes, his hands sliding into his sleeves. His low chant was soon lost in the clamor as the guards beat at the door to the passageway.
Keliar raced quickly through the passage, spying the trap door as Tiernan said, and leaped up, pushing it open quickly. He pulled himself through only to come face to face with a very surprised female drow. She stood up, backing away, but Keliar sprang toward her, clasping the maiden around the waist. His hand over her mouth muffled her screams as the others pulled themselves through the trap door. Tári stared at the maiden as she rolled away from the opening.
Keliar grinned when Haldir rose gracefully through the door. Clearly shocked by the sight of the surface elves, the female drow stopped struggling.
"Tiernan forgot to mention there might be someone in the room." Keliar grunted, gripping the maiden tighter.
Haldir frowned in frustration. He glanced at his father again, concern clouding his eyes. Rúmil and Orophin had drawn closer to Halcyon in a protective circle, but the tall elf only grinned when he caught Haldir's gaze, clearly enjoying the whole escapade.
Tári moved toward the drow with grin and released the knife from her sleeve. The drow's eyes followed the movement warily.
"We have to get out. You are going to help us." Tári growled.
The maiden's eyebrows drew together and she pulled on Keliar's hand. He looked at Tári, and then Haldir. Slowly he released the girl.
"Where is Tiernan?" she gasped, rubbing her mouth and glaring at Keliar.
"He is below, chanting a spell to give us time."
The maiden ran a trembling hand through her hair. Tiernan pulled himself up through the trap door, shutting it quickly behind him. He turned around and looked at the drow in surprise.
"Ila, what are you doing here? I thought you away for another season?"
Ila scowled. "I was rejected. Seems they didn't like my family history." She whirled at Keliar, pushing him away. "You are a fool! You will not get out!"
Tiernan smiled slowly as he studied the drow. "Perhaps not before, but with you to help us, we surely will at least make it out of the city."
Ila whirled. "Me? I will do nothing to help you." She glared at Tári when she spun her knife in her fingers. "You can threaten me all you like, but you do not frighten me."
Tári only smiled. "No? Perhaps Haldir may inspire you?"
Tiernan stepped forward. "Stop this. You are helping whether you wish it or not. The Black Queen's daughter will give us passage from the city one way or the other." He gripped Ila's elbow when the maiden gasped quietly.
"How do you know this? None have been told of my lineage except for the high priestesses!"
Tiernan drew her closer. "Windred was a high priestess. She still lives, Ila, on the surface."
Ila's face drained of color. Tiernan dragged her with them out the door of the bedroom. The sounds of the guards making their way through the house greeted them loudly, and Tiernan ran down the hall, pulling the unwilling drow princess with him. They turned and once more were in the passage they had started out in. Tiernan swept aside the tapestry, and they slid into the tunnel quickly.
Haldir pushed the others ahead of him, keeping to the rear with Rúmil and Orophin, glancing at his father as well. Was he able to continue?
Halcyon looked back with a smile and turned, pushing Tári ahead of him gently. "They will follow. Tiernan cannot lead and apply his magic both. The passage is narrow," Halcyon said quietly when Tári began to turn back.
Rúmil grinned. "Aye, there are only a few of them."
Haldir stared at his brother for a moment. Rúmil eyes twinkled in the dim light. "Do not say what is on your lips, Haldir. We have a long journey yet, and we all intend to finish it." He pulled an arrow from his quiver and the three nocked arrows. The black guards ripped the tapestry from the wall, the priestess's magic tracking the escaping elves. The drow guard ran blindly into the passageway only to find themselves broadsided by the Lorien arrows that hurtled toward them. The priestess's chant came to a discordant end when an arrow pierced her throat. Ahead, the Lothlórien elves were already climbing out of the passageway.
They ran, dragging the unwilling drow princess further into the cavern, leaving the city behind in its clamoring alarms. They did not get far when Tári shouted another warning. Ahead a patrol waited, blocking the exit to the cavern.
They stood outside a wall of rock, the two day journey back along the trail traveled in silence. Tiernan stared at the wall, running his hands over the bare expanse of rock. Haldir watched him, eyes narrowed, waiting. The drow continued to move along the wall, running his hand over the smooth sandstone, pushing aside the small brush. A large shrub blocked his way, and he pushed it aside, sliding between the plant and the wall. Suddenly he was gone. Haldir gripped his sword, but waited patiently. A moment later Tiernan returned, smiling in satisfaction.
"The entrance remains open," he said, and turned back around, the others following quickly.
They slid around the shrub, and beside them the wall of rock dropped back, effectively hiding the entrance to the cave. From outside the wall seemed solid, the bush hiding the separation in the stone wall. They stepped inside, the light dimming quickly, as the cave narrowed into a short tunnel. Once through the tunnel, the cave opened back into a large chamber, lit from above by a small hole in the ceiling of the cave. Beams of light filtered down, motes of dust dancing in the shafts, disturbed by the elves feet. Several tunnels branched off from the cave, leading down into darkness.
Tári turned around, wishing the light would stay with them, but knowing once they stepped in the tunnels, the light would fade quickly. She pulled her cloak away from her neck, glancing into the shadows of the chamber.
Tiernan stepped next to her, glancing at Keliar. "As drow you will find you can see well in the dark, once the light of the sun is gone. Surface elves can see also, but not as well as you. You will have to be sharp. There are many dangers ahead."
Tári nodded, gripping the bow she held over her shoulder. Keliar frowned, gripping the drow's sleeve.
"Haldir puts great trust in you, I hope you appreciate what he does."
Tiernan met Keliar's gaze firmly. "I do what I can, I do not make promises. But Windred speaks highly of you, I trust her judgment."
They entered one of the tunnels, the narrow confines forcing them into single file. Tiernan led them, followed by Haldir, Tári, Rúmil, Orophin and then Keliar. The darkness swallowed them, once they passed the first curve of the tunnel. Tiernan paused for a moment to allow them to adjust to the dimmer light.
Haldir glanced back at Tári. In the near dark, all three drow's eyes had begun to glow an eerie yellow color. His own eyes and that of the surface elves glowed in a silvery sheen. He shifted his hand to his sword, and turned to Tári, gripping her arm. "You can see better than I here, so you will have to watch out for the spiders," he whispered, laughing at the expression of disgust and horror on her face.
"You did have to remind me, didn't you?" she growled, looking around her carefully.
Rúmil chuckled, "don't worry, Tári. If one lands on you I will be sure to brush it off."
Tári shuddered, trying not to imagine that happening. "Stop it, you two. You're incorrigible." She pushed past Haldir, seeing Tiernan grin, and they continued down into the tunnel.
The darkness if possible seemed heavier, pressing down on Haldir as they walked, deeper into the bowels of the earth. A full days walk brought them little respite from the never ending darkness. A few moments rest here and there. Little crossed their path, just a few rodents at first, spiders scrabbling on the wall. He grinned, remembering Tári's soft muttering at those, the way she had eased closer to him. He had not thought she truly was afraid of the tiny creatures, but knew they made her uncomfortable.
Tiernan rounded yet another corner, his white hair barely gleaming in the dim light. Haldir felt Tári stiffen and stepped aside when she brushed past him quickly. Her soft whisper of warning halted Tiernan and they flattened against the wall of the tunnel.
In a few moment, a loud scratching sound could be heard, and Haldir gripped his sword. What manner of creature made such sounds, loud as they were? It was not a small creature. Tiernan glanced at him, his eyes glowing as they did, over Tári's head. Spider, he mouthed toward Haldir, glancing at Tári. Haldir grinned.
Tári heard the scrabbling sound, uneasiness shouting danger in her head. Haldir's very quiet chuckle told her what was coming. She shivered, screwing her face into expression of disgust, pushing away the fear that came with it. A spider, and a big one.
Tiernan pulled a blade from his wrist, another measure of Haldir's trust in him. The others pulled out swords and spread out in the tunnel. The tunnel was too small to hide from the spider, already he could sense the creatures hunger. He could use his magic to stun the creature, but that would only alert the other drow that they were here.
Haldir felt Tiernan tense as the spider drew nearer. Haldir could now see the red eyes, hundreds of red quivering dots. The spider's body was only a dark shadow, but the eyes glowed with hunger. It would find no dinner here.
The elves converged as one, each taking aim at the lower body of the spider, dodging the legs that reached out to trap them. Their quickness and agility angered the creature, forcing the spider back along the way it had come. It hissed, darting legs trying to capture one of them, but the elves were too quick. They stabbed the creature, delving their swords into the tender underbelly, and the spider screeched in pain, sliding back along the tunnel, scrambling away from them. It disappeared into a side passage and the elves drew together.
Rúmil sheathed his sword, lightly touching Haldir's sleeve. "I sense that something more than such creatures as that spider watches us closely."
Haldir nodded. "Aye. Tári has said nothing. Perhaps she feels no danger from it."
Rúmil frowned glancing around him into the dark shadows of the underworld. "Aye, no danger, at least not yet."
* *
Tári felt the presence of the Goblins long before she heard them. A light touch on Haldir's shoulder confirmed he felt them as well. How long had he known? She had not sensed any danger until now. They were closing in. A trap? She crouched down when Tiernan turned back to Haldir, his eyes glowing in the dark shadows.
"Goblins! They are stupid, but still dangerous. They think they have us trapped." Tiernan whispered quietly, the sound still echoing in the stone chamber.
Haldir gripped his sword, he had no fear of Goblins. They were slow creatures, ungainly. But tough and resilient. "What do you propose?"
Tiernan looked back over his shoulder. "If we engage them, our advantage of surprise will be gone. If any escape, word will surely reach my home that we are here. We have spies among many of the races who live in this world."
"How do you manage to avoid all those who live here among you? There must be gnomes, dwarves who know of your city." Haldir asked softly.
"Aye, they know. They know to avoid it if they wish to live, or remain free. We have a boundary in which we stay for the most part." Tiernan whispered hoarsely, his expression grim. "For the most part."
"And the goblins?"
"I suggest we evade their trap. There is a hidden tunnel ahead, it leads to the entrance to my city. Another few hours and you will look upon Nebecazer." Tiernan folded his hands into his sleeves.
A nervous gesture Haldir had come to recognize. Haldir looked back at the elves behind him, his gaze lingering for a moment on Tári. He sighed softly. "Then that is what we must do."
It was the longest day of Haldir's life, and still it was not over. The path in the tunnel was tight. Several times it'd been difficult for him and Kiernan to fit through. Had it been too easy? The journey had not been fraught with the dangers he'd expected. Most had been avoided. Was Tiernan more cunning than he'd given him credit for? His concerns grew the closer they came to the underworld city. His grip tightened on his sword. How would they get into the city? He did not like to rely so heavily on Tiernan's word, or strategy. A light touch on his sleeve made him turn his head. A soft touch on his lips told him she felt his worry. His lips twitched in amusement at her quiet reminder.
They crouched down high above the city, the tunnel leading out into a cavern that stretched across more than three miles. Far below them, built in the rocky valley of the cavern lay the city of Tiernan's people, Nebecazer. It glowed brightly after the darkness of the tunnels, but not with the glow of lamplight, but rather an infrared glare that the elf's eyes had already adjusted to. Large stone houses seemed as much a part of the floor of the cave as built above it, their forms mimicking the shapes of the stalagmites, stalactites, and boulders that had already been formed into the floor. The streets crossed at odd angles, nothing seemed to flow straight, but rather disjointed, a harsh staccato of streets, buildings and homes that in its disarray created a sense of unity.
Tiernan glanced at Haldir and the others. "My city. Do you sense the darkness, Tári?"
Tári wrapped her arms around herself. Sense it? It'd been beating her over the head almost since they entered the tunnel. The effort to force herself to continue despite the warnings flooding her head had made her weary. She sighed. "Aye, I feel it. I see it, a dark shadow that hovers over the city, like a blanket."
Tiernan smiled. "A good description. My home lies just below us. We shall enter through another tunnel. One only I know of."
The tunnel was hidden by a huge boulder, so massive Haldir stared at Tiernan in concern. They could not use his magic to lift the boulder. He frowned when Tiernan smiled at him.
"A clever illusion, Haldir. The boulder is not what you see." Tiernan moved closer to the rock, and Haldir's brows rose when he seemed to walk into the stone, his form blurring the distinctive edge of the stone. A grating sound and Tiernan turned around walking away from the rock. He motioned for the elves to enter and they walked forward, passing through the illusion of solid rock, dropping into a hole in the floor of the cave. The hole dropped ten feet down, and the elves landed lightly, bows drawn quickly, when Tiernan followed. "I had to reset the illusion, not only for sight, but touch were anyone to lean against the stone."
"But that must be done magically." Tári said softly.
Tiernan smiled, "Aye, but really a child's trick, so simple an idea that it works wonderfully. It will not be noticed." He grinned, and pushed past the elves to hurry deeper into the tunnel.
They came out in a small courtyard. Tall stone walls embraced them, the courtyard barely twenty paces across. The walls were carved in elaborate designs, and Tári gasped, recognizing several that were similar to ones they used at home. Truly they were of the drow. She brushed her fingers over the designs, but pulled away. Even the stone felt cold and uninviting. They followed Tiernan into a large hallway, and stopped abruptly when two drow turned in surprise when they entered the hall from behind a large tapestry.
"Tiernan! Praise the Black Queen, we thought you would never return!" One drow hurried forward, clasping Tiernan's hand.
Tiernan turned to Haldir who had stiffened at the sight of the drow. "My brother, Torin. Do not be concerned." Tiernan turned back to the drow. "I bring word from the Lady of Light, and her emissaries."
Torin stared at the surface elves, and then in surprise at Tári and Kiernan. "So the stories are true. They survived."
Tiernan glanced at Tári. "Aye. Unlike those who were sent with me. Only by the grace of the one before you am I now here. What news of our journey has been told?"
Torin drew Tiernan aside. "What do you mean, Tiernan? Reports came in that all were destroyed, the Laiquendi, as well as those with you. I suspected lies, but had no way to know the truth."
"A mixture of truth and lies. Only I survived, but the elves of the surface still live. They are far superior to what we have been taught. It is well we do not venture into their world often. I fear it is not of my own free will that I have returned."
Torin stared at Haldir. "He looks familiar, Tiernan. Why?"
Tiernan glanced at the March Warden. "I have his father."
Torin stiffened. "I should have seen it at once. Of course it is why you are alive."
Tiernan gripped his brother's sleeve. "Aye, but understand, Torin, this one is stronger than any I have seen. He is pure, a creature of the light, and the Lady's captain. I owe him my life."
"So you could lead them here? Are they fools? Even now you will have passed the sentinels at the perimeter, your presence in the city will soon be felt by the black queen. Your time fades quickly, brother. What do you intend?" Torin folded his arms, his dark eyes glowing brighter, the yellow glow of a wolf in hiding.
Tiernan sighed. "I intend to release the Lórien slave to Haldir, then lead them back out to the surface. It will not be an easy journey."
"Nay, you will be lucky to leave the compound, Tiernan. But we will do what we can. Your household supports you to the death. You have many loyal friends here. Perhaps it is as it should be, for you have always been fair in your treatment of us. An unusual trait among the drow."
Tiernan nodded and stepped into another chamber, motioning for them to follow. "Your easy path is done, Haldir. What happens now, I have no control over. Torin is right, even now the Black Queen's guards march upon my home. Our time is short."
Haldir gripped Tiernan's tunic. "Then be quick, drow. You have led us fairly, now lead me to my father."
* *
Galadriel leaned back into her chair, searching with her mind for her people. Where were they? Had they reached the city? Had she been overconfident in her wardens to allow them to go into the drow world? For an age she had received occasional messages, discreet, short, questioning thoughts from the drow world. All races had their light and dark sides, including those destined to follow the paths of Morgoth and the dark shadows of Sauron. It was the side that clamored for truth and goodness that had reached her.
She had felt so helpless when she had seen that Halcyon still lived. Their whispered words had sent her to her mirror for confirmation. Shaking, she had stepped away, falling into Celeborn's arms. Dismay, horror, guilt had all swept through her. Frustration, for she had known no way to reach him, to bring him back. And so, the truth had lain within her. Each day that she had looked upon Haldir and his brothers, the knowledge had darkened her heart, for she could not tell them.
But the Valar had taken pity, and now her most trusted wardens were among those who could kill with a thought. Galadriel sank to the bench in her leafy bower, staring at the mirror. Not many times in her long life had Galadriel known real fear, or powerlessness, but today those emotions swept over her.
Celeborn strode down the curved mossy steps, sensing his wife's despair. He leaned over her where she sat hunched, her eyes closed.
"Galadriel, come," he whispered, pulling the tall elven woman to her feet. Her deep blue eyes were haunted, shadowed by her fear. Celeborn drew her close, wrapping his arms around her. "They will return. The Valar will not be so cruel as take them all from us."
Galadriel sighed, comforted by the strong arms of her husband, lover and today, her strength. How many times had she used his strength, whether physically or mentally, to fortify her own will? After the thousands of years they were as one. She smiled, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"You are right, Celeborn. The shadows seek to frighten me, and weaken my mind. I must go to Tathar and Aranel. They grow weary of the wait."
"They are strong, Galadriel. Tathar knows the dangers they face." He wrapped his hands alongside Galadriel's face, smiling as he kissed her nose. "Look into your mirror, perhaps the mirror will reveal something to you."
Galadriel glanced at the silver basin. "I have feared to look, Celeborn. Feared to see what the mirror would reveal."
Celeborn smiled. "Who knows what it may reveal, but I am certain it would be better to learn something."
Galadriel sighed quietly, and glided to the stream that flowed through the bower. Lifting the silver pitcher gently, she filled the vessel. Slowly and reluctantly she poured the water into the silver basin and leaned over it.
* *
Tiernan sighed and pushed away Haldir's hands. He turned and slid open another panel, making his way swiftly down a descending hall leading deeper under the house. They passed several servants, who with startled glances dropped swiftly to their knees. They reached the end of the passageway and Tiernan turned into a large cavern. A kitchen of sorts, long benches and tables were set here, empty now. He crossed the large room, and stopped before a large door.
"This is the servants' quarters."
"Slave quarters." Haldir corrected.
Tiernan's chin rose. "I have treated them as well as I could." He swept open the door and strode quickly inside.
A long hall stretched before them, and through the doors along the hall, Haldir could see them. Dwarves, goblins, Orcs and a multitude of other races he sometimes could not name stared out at him blankly. Was his father like this? Stripped of his will, his essence? Haldir's lips tightened, and he pushed the thoughts away.
Tiernan stopped before a door and turned back to Haldir. He said nothing, but only waited. Haldir paused, staring at the drow. A trap? Nay, he must trust this one. He turned and opened the door, glancing back at his brothers. They would remain outside.
Haldir entered the chamber. The room was dark as all the underworld was, but here there was no infrared lighting that brightened the outer corridors. He stood still for a moment, his eyes adjusting to the darkness of the cell. Dark shadows still hovered in the corners. His sight not being equal to that of the drow, he could not totally dispel the darkness. He gripped his sword, turning in the light of the doorway, glancing around him.
At first it seemed empty, and he began to turn back to the door when a faint sound from one of the darkened corners caught his attention. Haldir turned toward the sound, staring into the shadows. Dimly, he could make out a large form that sat curled against the wall. Haldir stepped forward, but then stopped. Was this his father? He could not see well enough to know.
"I have come to take you home, father." Haldir said softly, staring at the dim shadow before him.
A long moment of silence stretched between them, disturbed only by the soft scratching of some rodent in another corner of the room. The dim form moved slightly. Haldir could see that he had raised his head. Still in the darker shadows, Haldir could not see him well enough.
"Take me home? And where is home?" a deep voice spoke ruefully, a hoarse whisper of one who had not spoken in a long while.
Haldir gritted his teeth, controlling the urge to leap toward the shadows before him. "Home, Lothlórien."
The form sighed deeply, and moved a bit more, but did not come forward. "I have no home of that name."
Haldir stepped closer and the creature before him put out his hands to ward him off. "Lothlórien is your home, and it awaits you."
The shadow was silent. Haldir waited.
"A beautiful place, Lothlórien." The shadows whispered.
"Aye."
The creature lowered his arms, but remained seated. "That place no longer exists for me."
Haldir jaw hardened with resolve. "Nay, that is not true."
The creature shook his head, and in the dim light Haldir saw the flash of silver hair. Haldir gritted his teeth, controlling the urge to leap toward the shadows before him. He crouched down.
"Are you well?" Haldir asked gently.
The shadow darkened as the creature Haldir knew for certain was an elf moved warily. "Why?" The elf looked up, and Haldir could see the faint silver glow of his eyes.
"I need to know if you can walk. Or run if need be."
The elf in the shadows laughed harshly. "Run? To where? This dream I have frightens me." A long pause followed. "Long have I waited for you or another like you." Another pause. "My hopes died years ago," the elf added slowly. "Now I only have dreams which in truth are nightmares."
"I am no dream." Haldir said softly.
The shadows quivered for a moment as the creature stiffened, still crouching. "Who are you?"
Haldir frowned. "Can you not see?"
The form in the shadows sighed deeply. "See? Nay, I cannot. What light the cursed drow call light is blocked by your form, I see only a shadow. A nightmare come to haunt me once again."
Haldir smiled then. He leaned forward, stretching out his hand into the shadows. "Let me help you."
The form was silent, then in the dim light a hand reached out to grip Haldir's. Haldir pulled him upright, and into the light of the doorway. The shadows drew back and Haldir held his breath as the elf stepped forward. He was a tall elf with long silver hair pulled back behind his neck. The elf's eyes were trained on the floor, but slowly they rose, following the line of Haldir's boots, to his knees, his tunic, and then his eyes widened in shock as recognition set in. The color drained from the elf's face. He staggered slightly and Haldir tightened his grip on the elf's hand.
"Blessed Elbereth, Haldir!" The elf swept Haldir into a embrace he remembered all too well, and Haldir wrapped his arms around his father. "I cannot dare to believe you are real. Long have I wished to see you, knowing you must be grown. You cannot know, but it is what has kept me sane. All these years, holding onto thoughts of you and your brothers, imagining you in Lorien." He stepped back, but continued to grip Haldir's shoulders. Then he frowned. " But you have come for naught, for now you too will become a slave. Why have you done this?"
"I am taking you home."
The elf laughed, staring moodily into grey eyes so like his own. "Home, how? Already it is too late."
"You underestimate the will of your son, Halcyon." Tiernan spoke from the doorway. "As I underestimated him. Come, we must hurry."
Halcyon pulled away. "Only seeing you, Tiernan, can I believe what my eyes and heart tell me to be true. What have you done? They will destroy you."
Tiernan sighed. "My life, as I knew it, was destroyed the day I left for the surface, Halcyon. Come, we must go." Tiernan led them out into the hall and Halcyon stopped again in shock.
"Can I believe these two are also my sons?" he whispered in joy, staring at both Rúmil and Orophin. The brothers grinned, gathering Halcyon into a bone crushing embrace. Halcyon stepped back, gripping both elves' shoulders to look at them.
"I am truly blessed by the Valar to have such brave children." Halcyon nodded at Tiernan, who stood waiting patiently. They ran back into the house, coming out into the corridor in which they had originally emerged to find their way blocked by a group of drow. They were tall, dressed completely in black, and their eyes glowed with a eerie hunger. Tiernan pushed them back into the kitchen, slamming the door behind him.
"It will not hold even were we to pile all these tables against it, they have priestesses with them." Tiernan gasped, heading across to the slave quarters again.
Haldir gripped his arm, spinning Tiernan to face him. "What does that mean?" he demanded. Tiernan scowled, wrenching his arm free.
"They will use magic to defeat the door!" His words were drowned out by the shattering of the wood. Splinters flew in all directions as the door burst apart. They ran into the passageway. "Open the slave doors, they perhaps will slow them down!" Tiernan shouted, hauling open the heavy doors to the slave rooms. They reached the end of the passageway, the slaves filing out into the hallway in confusion just as the black watch guards reached the door. Shouts of anger and cries of confusion filled the hallway as Tiernan led them into a smaller passageway.
Tiernan turned around. "We have to get back to the passageway above. The tunnel is our only chance." He turned to Tári. "Now you must use your sense of perception, Tári. We need to know how many are following."
Tári stared at him, then closed her eyes, concentrating on the life forms struggling outside. She opened her eyes. "Ten, plus the priestess. She is chanting."
Tiernan scowled. "A spell. Hurry, I will shield the door, but my magic is weak compared to hers. Follow this passageway to the end, and there will be a trap door above you. It leads into a bed chamber. Wait for me there."
Haldir's eyes narrowed, and he frowned. It didn't feel right. He turned when a hand touched his shoulder.
"Tiernan will lead you true, Haldir. He has been the closest thing I could call a friend these past years," Halcyon said softly, gripping his son's sleeve tightly. Haldir stared at him for a moment as well, and Halcyon laughed quietly. "You cannot decide whether to trust me! No," he said at Haldir quick shake of his head. "Do not deny it. I would not if I were in your place. You do not know what things I have known, or what spells they have placed me under. But I tell you this, on the will of the Valar, that you can trust him."
Haldir gave a short nod and waved Keliar to lead them further into the tunnel. He followed, glancing back at Tiernan who had closed his eyes, his hands sliding into his sleeves. His low chant was soon lost in the clamor as the guards beat at the door to the passageway.
Keliar raced quickly through the passage, spying the trap door as Tiernan said, and leaped up, pushing it open quickly. He pulled himself through only to come face to face with a very surprised female drow. She stood up, backing away, but Keliar sprang toward her, clasping the maiden around the waist. His hand over her mouth muffled her screams as the others pulled themselves through the trap door. Tári stared at the maiden as she rolled away from the opening.
Keliar grinned when Haldir rose gracefully through the door. Clearly shocked by the sight of the surface elves, the female drow stopped struggling.
"Tiernan forgot to mention there might be someone in the room." Keliar grunted, gripping the maiden tighter.
Haldir frowned in frustration. He glanced at his father again, concern clouding his eyes. Rúmil and Orophin had drawn closer to Halcyon in a protective circle, but the tall elf only grinned when he caught Haldir's gaze, clearly enjoying the whole escapade.
Tári moved toward the drow with grin and released the knife from her sleeve. The drow's eyes followed the movement warily.
"We have to get out. You are going to help us." Tári growled.
The maiden's eyebrows drew together and she pulled on Keliar's hand. He looked at Tári, and then Haldir. Slowly he released the girl.
"Where is Tiernan?" she gasped, rubbing her mouth and glaring at Keliar.
"He is below, chanting a spell to give us time."
The maiden ran a trembling hand through her hair. Tiernan pulled himself up through the trap door, shutting it quickly behind him. He turned around and looked at the drow in surprise.
"Ila, what are you doing here? I thought you away for another season?"
Ila scowled. "I was rejected. Seems they didn't like my family history." She whirled at Keliar, pushing him away. "You are a fool! You will not get out!"
Tiernan smiled slowly as he studied the drow. "Perhaps not before, but with you to help us, we surely will at least make it out of the city."
Ila whirled. "Me? I will do nothing to help you." She glared at Tári when she spun her knife in her fingers. "You can threaten me all you like, but you do not frighten me."
Tári only smiled. "No? Perhaps Haldir may inspire you?"
Tiernan stepped forward. "Stop this. You are helping whether you wish it or not. The Black Queen's daughter will give us passage from the city one way or the other." He gripped Ila's elbow when the maiden gasped quietly.
"How do you know this? None have been told of my lineage except for the high priestesses!"
Tiernan drew her closer. "Windred was a high priestess. She still lives, Ila, on the surface."
Ila's face drained of color. Tiernan dragged her with them out the door of the bedroom. The sounds of the guards making their way through the house greeted them loudly, and Tiernan ran down the hall, pulling the unwilling drow princess with him. They turned and once more were in the passage they had started out in. Tiernan swept aside the tapestry, and they slid into the tunnel quickly.
Haldir pushed the others ahead of him, keeping to the rear with Rúmil and Orophin, glancing at his father as well. Was he able to continue?
Halcyon looked back with a smile and turned, pushing Tári ahead of him gently. "They will follow. Tiernan cannot lead and apply his magic both. The passage is narrow," Halcyon said quietly when Tári began to turn back.
Rúmil grinned. "Aye, there are only a few of them."
Haldir stared at his brother for a moment. Rúmil eyes twinkled in the dim light. "Do not say what is on your lips, Haldir. We have a long journey yet, and we all intend to finish it." He pulled an arrow from his quiver and the three nocked arrows. The black guards ripped the tapestry from the wall, the priestess's magic tracking the escaping elves. The drow guard ran blindly into the passageway only to find themselves broadsided by the Lorien arrows that hurtled toward them. The priestess's chant came to a discordant end when an arrow pierced her throat. Ahead, the Lothlórien elves were already climbing out of the passageway.
They ran, dragging the unwilling drow princess further into the cavern, leaving the city behind in its clamoring alarms. They did not get far when Tári shouted another warning. Ahead a patrol waited, blocking the exit to the cavern.