CHAPTER 3
A full season had passed since Tyrie had drowned in the Flood of the Black Night. Yet he felt her loss as if it was only yesterday. He just couldn't accept it, not after struggling for survival in the dungeons of the Skeksis, facing the torrents of the great water and war with the Sandlings. How could she die in such a freak storm? Why couldn't he save her? The images of that night replay in his mind-eye over and over again. Mykan asked these questions daily, mostly as he visited her burial mound. He would go through this ritual every morning. Wake up, leave his now mostly empty house and wander the forest, inevitably ending back at her grave where he would wail and curse himself and the world. This morning seemed no different then the other dawns of lamentation. He was curled upon her grave when he heard a deep resonant voice boomed from above the trees. "Why does thou weep so?" It asked. "What can cause such sorrow?" The voice traveled like the echo of thunder across the land. "I lost my love." He said quietly "The only one that ever mattered." "Lost thy love? Why?" It asked "Why? What do you mean 'why'?" "Would thee like her to return to thee?" Asked the booming voice Mykan had to look up from his fetal position, never before had he heard a voice such as that. Broken from the spell of mourning he finally sees a great form amongst the trees, only the greatest of them higher then him. The sunlight seemed to fall off of this great being giving little detail, yet Mykan could still see it was darkly armored, a flowing black cloak and a black helm crowned with wicked spikes. He could barely see the eyes through the dark slit of its black helm, yet a glow came from there. Mykan could feel his gaze penetrating his soul and all sorrow left him. He felt nothing. "None should live in fear. The realms of Illuvatar reek with powerless beings." "Would thee like to never loose anyone again?" The great warrior asked, lowering himself onto one knee, and fixed even deeper onto Mykan's spirit, he smiled beneath his helm as he saw this tiny beings past. The tortures, Tyries death; he saw it all. His life opened as a book before him. He knew this little creature would serve a needed function, willingly, whole- heartedly, completely. "Would thee liken to never live in fear ever again?" He asked the Gelfling. "How.? How can I do this?" He asked in awe "If thee chooses.Thy can aid you." He said. "I do! I do want this! I want Tyrie back!" Mykan beseeched "If what you say is true I do want this!" He extended his great hand above the Gelfling, and began to sing a great resonance. The very air quavered as great clouds swirled above both, and darkness grew around them. He sky crackled and the mountains moaned at the growing tone. Mykan felt some apprehension at first, yet he also felt a growing warmth build within him. He felt he was finally being mad whole. "Thou will no longer fear the world.Soon thou will feel only power."
They watched the storm rage across the mountain range far off from the valley's of the castle. Legolas knew what he was seeing.He saw this tempest before. Over the land of Mordor, ruled by the second dark lord Sauron. Sauron, once lieutenant of Morgoth, the same being that was casting a shadow over Thra now. He could feel the intensity of his anger now, even from this distance. There was no doubt in his mind that Morgoth Bauglir was spreading his influence across these lands. Kira felt his presence now as well. He did not stretch forth his power until this day, yet now it buffeted against her as a wind of hatred. The force almost crippled her very ability to think. Lord Jen could only watch his love struggle with it, helplessly. It seemed her dreamfast with Legolas was affecting her as severely as it was him. The crystal sang its discontent, growing more intense as each hour passed by. The song had become a siren during the rising storm. The stronger the storm grew the more urgent became the crystals tone. She could barely stand at times. Jen was aghast at what was happening, and finally had to speak out, "What can we do against such a thing?" He asked "He controls the weather itself. What can swords and arrows do to a creature like that?" He cried out despondently
Legolas had no answer. The Valar themselves could not match him in force.only Manwe his brother was near his equal. It took the combined hosts of middle-earth to stop the darkness from spreading. And that too was at great costs to those involved. The Elf could only look outward and quail inwardly. He had little hope of defeating such a foe. If only Mithrandir were here. HE could rally hope in the most dire of circumstances. The black swirling mass soon began to dissipate until it finally faded into nothingness. Kiras recovery was just as swift. The crystal no longer wailed its misery. She looked as if she aged ten trine in only a matter of moments. "He has begun his preparations for his assault on our world." She said with wearily "He is not capable of bringing forth his full powers yet, but he is gathering allies. Creatures of sorrow, anger and pain. Those who feel helpless and powerless. I can hear their voices changing, twisting to his vision. The corruption of Thra has begun." she said sadly All stood silently for a time, looking to the mountains seeking answers that would not readily come. Dorias frustration overtook her. She could not just sit idly any more, she needed to vent her feelings or she would go mad. "Let us strike now! We can mobilize a force by sunset!" She said angrily "Let us not wait upon our haunches and wait for death to come to us again!" Her eyes pleaded for their approval. It was better to face death, eyes to the sky and proud of attempted valor. Especially in the face of such over- whelming odds. It is better to fight a god and die then to live in fear, running for the rest of ones days. She had enough of that. "Let us see what the Urskeks say." Said Aughra "The Urskeks have not come in almost a full season." Doria countered "Time is not abundant for us. They may not appear for many settings of seasons! We cannot hope in such folly!" "We may be able to speak to the Urskeks." Kira offered "The crystal of truth is whole and this is its domain, and are not now lords of the crystal?" "No, we are not lords of the crystal. It is simply in our guardianship. We do not posses the ability to control its powers." Aughra replied. "Since we are its guardians, won't it allow us to use its abilities? Even in a limited way?" Jen asked Aughra pondered this for a moment. "It may Lord Gelfling.it may. The queen has the gift; she has a connection to it, greater then any of us. She should ask it?" "Ask it? That is all?" Doria asked in puzzlement. "That's all."
It was decided then to attempt Aughras suggestion, they had little else to lose. They were not going to defeat Morgoth with the might of weapons. Another way had to be found. They reassembled around the great crystal itself standing silently until Kira spoke. "What should I do Aughra?" "You've done it before Queen of the Gelflings, when your people were sundered and undone. You connected with the Crystal of Truth, It accepted you. Touch it; let its energy flow through you as before." Kira had done this before, when Jolen the mad Gelfling king returned to the homeland of their people and tried to take control of the crystal and the world of Thra. He was able to manipulate its powers to a degree.As was Kira. She never touched it again after Jolen was overthrown and killed at Dorias hands. As pure as the crystal was it still seemed to bring about terrible events. If the great Urskeks could not predict the dreadful outcome of their dealings with the crystal, what would happen if a less enlightened being were to tamper with it? She was afraid of what she would do with it if she could control it.
Yet this was now a desperate hour. There was no more time for self-doubt and fear. She slowly placed her hands upon the crystal and leaned in. When she rested her forehead against its smooth cool surface reality melted away. She could see everyone in the chamber.at once! Including herself. She felt as if she was floating, yet she had no sensation of a body. She did not need to 'turn her head', or look around. She simple perceived all. She felt the connection of the crystal with the abundant life of Thra, She could see her adoptive podling mother cooking a meal in her clay hut, and she watched Landstriders hurtling across the flat grasslands. She also watched Gelfling carrying on about their day, performing chores, painting, sculpting. She perceived all this simultaneously. Then she felt his presence. The dark one. He moved freely across the mountains with others. She would have screamed if she could! Never had such a crime been committed before! Gelflings.or they were once Gelflings. They held the same form they were born with, to a limited extent, yet now they were twisted and corrupted. Foul to look upon. She almost tore herself away from the crystal when she heard the gentle voices calling. Calling for her. They pulled at her tenderly until she was drawn away from Thra towards the greatest sun. She shot through the heavens at frightening speeds, the light growing strong, until it blinded everything. The sensation of speed stopped suddenly and the light faded, until she could see eight radiating globes around her. Warmth enveloped her spirit, a blanket of comfort and love provided by the beings of light. "At last you have come." They spoke "Dire is the hour of your world." "Why did you not come to warn us?" Kira asked "How could he enter our realm?"
"Great is the power of the dark one. As he entered the light of the crystal his presence became known to us and we approached him. Never have we encountered such vast strength before. Ancient he is. Older then our people. Before we understood his purpose for being here he trapped us within our own light. We could not take physical form to travel to Thra and forewarn you. Not for three-thousand trine have we existed without a connection to the crystal. Without it we weaken more every setting of the suns. Soon we will fade if we cannot rejoin with the light of the crystal." Hopelessness surged through Kira. How can they fight something so powerful? If the combined Urskeks were defeated by Morgoth what chance did they have? "Do not despair Gelfling. There is still hope." "What hope can we have against him?" She asked despondently "Others know of our plight and yours. Even now they seek passage into our world. Together you will subdue this assailant. Your journey here has helped to open the way. Return now, slow his encroachment on Thra. The others will arrive soon." As the light faded and Kira felt herself float back to the castle they uttered one last counsel "His power is vast, as is his insatiability need for more. Use his greed."
Kira snapped back into her body so fiercely the force threw her across the dais. Jen quickly went to her side, he gingerly cradled as she struggled to open her eyes. "Kira are you hurt?" he asked She cleared her eyes and looked lovingly at her husband. "I'm well Jen." She said with a slight smile and sat herself up. "What did you see Queen Gelfling?" Aughra asked "I have seen the enemy and the Urskeks and I learned much. I have been given a message of hope. I have been told others may be coming soon."
"Sooner then you expected Milady." Answered a new voice. A white robbed man walked from behind the great crystal into plain view. "It does my heart well to see you again Legolas." Smiled the stranger, "Very well indeed." Legolas joy was past words "Beyond all hope." he whispered at first, and then he ran to the wizened man his joy now a crescendo "Beyond All Hope! Gandalf!" He cried as he embraced him. "Greeting Legolas, I have been summoned once again by the Valar and I now come to serve a new land." Legolas now knew hope had truly arrived.
A full season had passed since Tyrie had drowned in the Flood of the Black Night. Yet he felt her loss as if it was only yesterday. He just couldn't accept it, not after struggling for survival in the dungeons of the Skeksis, facing the torrents of the great water and war with the Sandlings. How could she die in such a freak storm? Why couldn't he save her? The images of that night replay in his mind-eye over and over again. Mykan asked these questions daily, mostly as he visited her burial mound. He would go through this ritual every morning. Wake up, leave his now mostly empty house and wander the forest, inevitably ending back at her grave where he would wail and curse himself and the world. This morning seemed no different then the other dawns of lamentation. He was curled upon her grave when he heard a deep resonant voice boomed from above the trees. "Why does thou weep so?" It asked. "What can cause such sorrow?" The voice traveled like the echo of thunder across the land. "I lost my love." He said quietly "The only one that ever mattered." "Lost thy love? Why?" It asked "Why? What do you mean 'why'?" "Would thee like her to return to thee?" Asked the booming voice Mykan had to look up from his fetal position, never before had he heard a voice such as that. Broken from the spell of mourning he finally sees a great form amongst the trees, only the greatest of them higher then him. The sunlight seemed to fall off of this great being giving little detail, yet Mykan could still see it was darkly armored, a flowing black cloak and a black helm crowned with wicked spikes. He could barely see the eyes through the dark slit of its black helm, yet a glow came from there. Mykan could feel his gaze penetrating his soul and all sorrow left him. He felt nothing. "None should live in fear. The realms of Illuvatar reek with powerless beings." "Would thee like to never loose anyone again?" The great warrior asked, lowering himself onto one knee, and fixed even deeper onto Mykan's spirit, he smiled beneath his helm as he saw this tiny beings past. The tortures, Tyries death; he saw it all. His life opened as a book before him. He knew this little creature would serve a needed function, willingly, whole- heartedly, completely. "Would thee liken to never live in fear ever again?" He asked the Gelfling. "How.? How can I do this?" He asked in awe "If thee chooses.Thy can aid you." He said. "I do! I do want this! I want Tyrie back!" Mykan beseeched "If what you say is true I do want this!" He extended his great hand above the Gelfling, and began to sing a great resonance. The very air quavered as great clouds swirled above both, and darkness grew around them. He sky crackled and the mountains moaned at the growing tone. Mykan felt some apprehension at first, yet he also felt a growing warmth build within him. He felt he was finally being mad whole. "Thou will no longer fear the world.Soon thou will feel only power."
They watched the storm rage across the mountain range far off from the valley's of the castle. Legolas knew what he was seeing.He saw this tempest before. Over the land of Mordor, ruled by the second dark lord Sauron. Sauron, once lieutenant of Morgoth, the same being that was casting a shadow over Thra now. He could feel the intensity of his anger now, even from this distance. There was no doubt in his mind that Morgoth Bauglir was spreading his influence across these lands. Kira felt his presence now as well. He did not stretch forth his power until this day, yet now it buffeted against her as a wind of hatred. The force almost crippled her very ability to think. Lord Jen could only watch his love struggle with it, helplessly. It seemed her dreamfast with Legolas was affecting her as severely as it was him. The crystal sang its discontent, growing more intense as each hour passed by. The song had become a siren during the rising storm. The stronger the storm grew the more urgent became the crystals tone. She could barely stand at times. Jen was aghast at what was happening, and finally had to speak out, "What can we do against such a thing?" He asked "He controls the weather itself. What can swords and arrows do to a creature like that?" He cried out despondently
Legolas had no answer. The Valar themselves could not match him in force.only Manwe his brother was near his equal. It took the combined hosts of middle-earth to stop the darkness from spreading. And that too was at great costs to those involved. The Elf could only look outward and quail inwardly. He had little hope of defeating such a foe. If only Mithrandir were here. HE could rally hope in the most dire of circumstances. The black swirling mass soon began to dissipate until it finally faded into nothingness. Kiras recovery was just as swift. The crystal no longer wailed its misery. She looked as if she aged ten trine in only a matter of moments. "He has begun his preparations for his assault on our world." She said with wearily "He is not capable of bringing forth his full powers yet, but he is gathering allies. Creatures of sorrow, anger and pain. Those who feel helpless and powerless. I can hear their voices changing, twisting to his vision. The corruption of Thra has begun." she said sadly All stood silently for a time, looking to the mountains seeking answers that would not readily come. Dorias frustration overtook her. She could not just sit idly any more, she needed to vent her feelings or she would go mad. "Let us strike now! We can mobilize a force by sunset!" She said angrily "Let us not wait upon our haunches and wait for death to come to us again!" Her eyes pleaded for their approval. It was better to face death, eyes to the sky and proud of attempted valor. Especially in the face of such over- whelming odds. It is better to fight a god and die then to live in fear, running for the rest of ones days. She had enough of that. "Let us see what the Urskeks say." Said Aughra "The Urskeks have not come in almost a full season." Doria countered "Time is not abundant for us. They may not appear for many settings of seasons! We cannot hope in such folly!" "We may be able to speak to the Urskeks." Kira offered "The crystal of truth is whole and this is its domain, and are not now lords of the crystal?" "No, we are not lords of the crystal. It is simply in our guardianship. We do not posses the ability to control its powers." Aughra replied. "Since we are its guardians, won't it allow us to use its abilities? Even in a limited way?" Jen asked Aughra pondered this for a moment. "It may Lord Gelfling.it may. The queen has the gift; she has a connection to it, greater then any of us. She should ask it?" "Ask it? That is all?" Doria asked in puzzlement. "That's all."
It was decided then to attempt Aughras suggestion, they had little else to lose. They were not going to defeat Morgoth with the might of weapons. Another way had to be found. They reassembled around the great crystal itself standing silently until Kira spoke. "What should I do Aughra?" "You've done it before Queen of the Gelflings, when your people were sundered and undone. You connected with the Crystal of Truth, It accepted you. Touch it; let its energy flow through you as before." Kira had done this before, when Jolen the mad Gelfling king returned to the homeland of their people and tried to take control of the crystal and the world of Thra. He was able to manipulate its powers to a degree.As was Kira. She never touched it again after Jolen was overthrown and killed at Dorias hands. As pure as the crystal was it still seemed to bring about terrible events. If the great Urskeks could not predict the dreadful outcome of their dealings with the crystal, what would happen if a less enlightened being were to tamper with it? She was afraid of what she would do with it if she could control it.
Yet this was now a desperate hour. There was no more time for self-doubt and fear. She slowly placed her hands upon the crystal and leaned in. When she rested her forehead against its smooth cool surface reality melted away. She could see everyone in the chamber.at once! Including herself. She felt as if she was floating, yet she had no sensation of a body. She did not need to 'turn her head', or look around. She simple perceived all. She felt the connection of the crystal with the abundant life of Thra, She could see her adoptive podling mother cooking a meal in her clay hut, and she watched Landstriders hurtling across the flat grasslands. She also watched Gelfling carrying on about their day, performing chores, painting, sculpting. She perceived all this simultaneously. Then she felt his presence. The dark one. He moved freely across the mountains with others. She would have screamed if she could! Never had such a crime been committed before! Gelflings.or they were once Gelflings. They held the same form they were born with, to a limited extent, yet now they were twisted and corrupted. Foul to look upon. She almost tore herself away from the crystal when she heard the gentle voices calling. Calling for her. They pulled at her tenderly until she was drawn away from Thra towards the greatest sun. She shot through the heavens at frightening speeds, the light growing strong, until it blinded everything. The sensation of speed stopped suddenly and the light faded, until she could see eight radiating globes around her. Warmth enveloped her spirit, a blanket of comfort and love provided by the beings of light. "At last you have come." They spoke "Dire is the hour of your world." "Why did you not come to warn us?" Kira asked "How could he enter our realm?"
"Great is the power of the dark one. As he entered the light of the crystal his presence became known to us and we approached him. Never have we encountered such vast strength before. Ancient he is. Older then our people. Before we understood his purpose for being here he trapped us within our own light. We could not take physical form to travel to Thra and forewarn you. Not for three-thousand trine have we existed without a connection to the crystal. Without it we weaken more every setting of the suns. Soon we will fade if we cannot rejoin with the light of the crystal." Hopelessness surged through Kira. How can they fight something so powerful? If the combined Urskeks were defeated by Morgoth what chance did they have? "Do not despair Gelfling. There is still hope." "What hope can we have against him?" She asked despondently "Others know of our plight and yours. Even now they seek passage into our world. Together you will subdue this assailant. Your journey here has helped to open the way. Return now, slow his encroachment on Thra. The others will arrive soon." As the light faded and Kira felt herself float back to the castle they uttered one last counsel "His power is vast, as is his insatiability need for more. Use his greed."
Kira snapped back into her body so fiercely the force threw her across the dais. Jen quickly went to her side, he gingerly cradled as she struggled to open her eyes. "Kira are you hurt?" he asked She cleared her eyes and looked lovingly at her husband. "I'm well Jen." She said with a slight smile and sat herself up. "What did you see Queen Gelfling?" Aughra asked "I have seen the enemy and the Urskeks and I learned much. I have been given a message of hope. I have been told others may be coming soon."
"Sooner then you expected Milady." Answered a new voice. A white robbed man walked from behind the great crystal into plain view. "It does my heart well to see you again Legolas." Smiled the stranger, "Very well indeed." Legolas joy was past words "Beyond all hope." he whispered at first, and then he ran to the wizened man his joy now a crescendo "Beyond All Hope! Gandalf!" He cried as he embraced him. "Greeting Legolas, I have been summoned once again by the Valar and I now come to serve a new land." Legolas now knew hope had truly arrived.