I love all you people who reviewed Chapter Three! A huge Thank You to
Eregriel Gloswen, Tinánia Legolinde, Yuki Hibiki and clrules. The chapter
was a real challenge to write and I didn't know how it would go down with
you all, so I'm really, really glad you did like it. You are all so
encouraging! As long as you keep responding, I assure you I will keep
writing this till I finish all seven caves.
A/N: This cave is the last of the "Element Caves", i.e. the last one themed on one of the four "elements"—earth, water, air and fire. The other three will be themed on some other aspect of nature, which I will not reveal until they are published.
* * * * *
As the companions left the dark cavern, the feeling of reluctance faded from Legolas. Instead, he found himself expectant, musing on what new wonders he would encounter in the hours to come.
Legolas did not allow Gimli to light another torch until they turned around a bend in the passage and the elf was sure that the previous cavern was no longer in sight. His strong-willed companion grumbled but obeyed his friend's wishes, strange though they seemed to the practical dwarf. As the flame of the torch finally brought the companions news of their surroundings, a faint warm glow sprang up far ahead of them. The elf saw it and unconsciously leaned forward, straining his far-seeing eyes, trying to catch a glimpse of the source of the light. Gimli saw him react, he did not know to what, and looked in the direction Legolas was facing—but he saw nothing.
"What is the matter? What do you see?" he asked, puzzled by Legolas' strange behaviour.
"There is a light or reflection of some sort ahead of us, but I cannot see it clearly. I wonder at it, for I have heard nothing but the sound of our voices, and I sense no other presence here," replied Legolas.
"Well, let us go on. Maybe we will discover the source of this mysterious light if we move closer." As he spoke, he moved the torch upwards.
"The light has gone," said Legolas. Struck with a sudden idea, Gimli moved the torch back to its previous position. "Has it returned?" The elf looked down at his companion, then back to the mysterious glow. "Yes, it has appeared again. Mayhap the flame of your torch is reflecting off the walls." Once again, the two started forward, looking towards the light. As they moved closer, it grew brighter, so that Gimli began to see the cause of his friend's intrigue. At length, the passage opened into a great cavern—and the source of the warm draught of air and the mysterious glow were suddenly revealed.
At first the shining hall, every facet of every gem reflecting the flame of the torch, dazzled the companions' eyes. As they grew accustomed to the sudden return to light, they were once again filled with awe.
Rubies and gold-coloured stones encrusted the walls, every one of them glittering furiously at the slightest hint of light. They were arranged in patterns reminiscent of flames flickering in their mesmerizing dance, consuming everything in their path, giving it back without question. The distant glow had come from these bright jewels, adorning every inch of rock, each one catching the far-off flame and filling itself with light. As the enchanting shapes neared the lofty ceiling, they faded into dark stone, punctuated by flecks of shining gold, sparks flying from their fiery home.
The temperature of the cave was unexplainably higher than that of the others had been—this, then, was the source of the draught that had led them through the darkness to this fiery haven. Accordingly, the elf and dwarf stayed some time there; every time they looked around and re-examined each frozen flame, each blazing moment preserved in sparkling stone, it was as if they were looking upon it for the first time. When they turned their eyes to the floor, hoping for some relief from the unrelenting glitter, the companions were yet again dazzled by sheer brightness. The floor was covered with pale golden sand. At intervals, cones of pure white crystal sprang upwards, reaching purposefully towards the ceiling of rock and, eventually, through layers of stone, through treetops and wind, to the sky far above all earthly concerns—each glistening tower on its endless quest for higher things irresistibly blazing its way into memory's depths.
The cave contained no path to guide awestruck travelers. Fortunately the glimmering crystal cones were sparsely placed, and Legolas and Gimli were able to cross the chamber at their ease, while still taking care not to damage a single grain of sand.
At length they reached the exit from the cave but yet again were reluctant to leave. Even amidst the overwhelming grandeur and majesty of the cavern, the warmth and light, reflected though it was, seemed comforting. The companions lingered, not for the last time, and took a last glance around the hall they were about to leave; its hard gems sparkling yet seeming somehow warm and welcoming. Then, once again, they turned away and went forward through the narrow, cold passage, wondering to themselves at what they might see and at what they had seen—yet not remembering in their musings the world outside from which they had come, and to which they must eventually return.
A/N: This cave is the last of the "Element Caves", i.e. the last one themed on one of the four "elements"—earth, water, air and fire. The other three will be themed on some other aspect of nature, which I will not reveal until they are published.
* * * * *
As the companions left the dark cavern, the feeling of reluctance faded from Legolas. Instead, he found himself expectant, musing on what new wonders he would encounter in the hours to come.
Legolas did not allow Gimli to light another torch until they turned around a bend in the passage and the elf was sure that the previous cavern was no longer in sight. His strong-willed companion grumbled but obeyed his friend's wishes, strange though they seemed to the practical dwarf. As the flame of the torch finally brought the companions news of their surroundings, a faint warm glow sprang up far ahead of them. The elf saw it and unconsciously leaned forward, straining his far-seeing eyes, trying to catch a glimpse of the source of the light. Gimli saw him react, he did not know to what, and looked in the direction Legolas was facing—but he saw nothing.
"What is the matter? What do you see?" he asked, puzzled by Legolas' strange behaviour.
"There is a light or reflection of some sort ahead of us, but I cannot see it clearly. I wonder at it, for I have heard nothing but the sound of our voices, and I sense no other presence here," replied Legolas.
"Well, let us go on. Maybe we will discover the source of this mysterious light if we move closer." As he spoke, he moved the torch upwards.
"The light has gone," said Legolas. Struck with a sudden idea, Gimli moved the torch back to its previous position. "Has it returned?" The elf looked down at his companion, then back to the mysterious glow. "Yes, it has appeared again. Mayhap the flame of your torch is reflecting off the walls." Once again, the two started forward, looking towards the light. As they moved closer, it grew brighter, so that Gimli began to see the cause of his friend's intrigue. At length, the passage opened into a great cavern—and the source of the warm draught of air and the mysterious glow were suddenly revealed.
At first the shining hall, every facet of every gem reflecting the flame of the torch, dazzled the companions' eyes. As they grew accustomed to the sudden return to light, they were once again filled with awe.
Rubies and gold-coloured stones encrusted the walls, every one of them glittering furiously at the slightest hint of light. They were arranged in patterns reminiscent of flames flickering in their mesmerizing dance, consuming everything in their path, giving it back without question. The distant glow had come from these bright jewels, adorning every inch of rock, each one catching the far-off flame and filling itself with light. As the enchanting shapes neared the lofty ceiling, they faded into dark stone, punctuated by flecks of shining gold, sparks flying from their fiery home.
The temperature of the cave was unexplainably higher than that of the others had been—this, then, was the source of the draught that had led them through the darkness to this fiery haven. Accordingly, the elf and dwarf stayed some time there; every time they looked around and re-examined each frozen flame, each blazing moment preserved in sparkling stone, it was as if they were looking upon it for the first time. When they turned their eyes to the floor, hoping for some relief from the unrelenting glitter, the companions were yet again dazzled by sheer brightness. The floor was covered with pale golden sand. At intervals, cones of pure white crystal sprang upwards, reaching purposefully towards the ceiling of rock and, eventually, through layers of stone, through treetops and wind, to the sky far above all earthly concerns—each glistening tower on its endless quest for higher things irresistibly blazing its way into memory's depths.
The cave contained no path to guide awestruck travelers. Fortunately the glimmering crystal cones were sparsely placed, and Legolas and Gimli were able to cross the chamber at their ease, while still taking care not to damage a single grain of sand.
At length they reached the exit from the cave but yet again were reluctant to leave. Even amidst the overwhelming grandeur and majesty of the cavern, the warmth and light, reflected though it was, seemed comforting. The companions lingered, not for the last time, and took a last glance around the hall they were about to leave; its hard gems sparkling yet seeming somehow warm and welcoming. Then, once again, they turned away and went forward through the narrow, cold passage, wondering to themselves at what they might see and at what they had seen—yet not remembering in their musings the world outside from which they had come, and to which they must eventually return.