Disclaimer: Characters, places and names etc. belong to J.R.R Tolkien. Yup,
Lotr isn't mine.
In the Shadows
Chapter Four - Barad-dûr
Ayssa
**
We have been locked in separate cells, except for Tarí and I. We have been placed in a cell with other men who seem to have been here for a while. The cell is small and dirty, the ceiling is low and the bars that hold us from freedom are thick.
I am glad for my large traveling cloak, as it has hidden my identity from these strange men. Obviously the Uruk-Hai do not see Tarí and I as a threat, otherwise we would have been locked away separately.
We have been told to expect an interrogation later, some of the Uruk-Hai guards said, seriously, that the Dark Lord himself might conduct the "interview" as they called it. The Orc guards here are not exactly gentle. When they cast Tarí and I into this cell, my legs jarred painfully and I spent most of our first night unconscious, or in hazy pain. I have been stretching them and resting them as much as possible. I do not wish to be crippled for life.
Tarí escaped the brutal treatment of the Uruk-Hai with a few bruises, but not serious ones. Our cellmates did not make any attempt at all to communicate with us. Barely any of them even looked up as we were thrown in here.
It measures five by three elven steps. I know, because in my concern about my legs, I have paced the length and width of the cell many times. There are ten of us in here, counting Tarí and myself. The sleeping space is where you drop and the feeding times are so irregular, you do not know whether you will stave to death, or burst from over eating.
Everything they give us is eaten within seconds and anyone with scraps still on their plate may find themselves contesting for them. I can sense that many of the men here have been here a very long time.
They are mostly human. There is another elf, but he has refused Tarí and I to come near him. He avoids our gazes and evades us if we try to come near him. The strange this is that he does not tell the other men that we are not men and are in fact female. There is a dwarf here also. He has thick, long, dark hair and a big beard. He hasn't talked much, but has made it clear that he does not wish to be near us. He also avoids the mysterious elf. Of course, elves and dwarfs are known not to get along with one another.
I am have a sinking feeling that I may never see the trees or feel the grass beneath my feet again. Fresh air would be a blessing, the air is close and the men smell. Tarí is by my side constantly and I am thankful for her presence.
**
This morning, if you could call it that, the silent elf spoke to us. The men and dwarf had fallen asleep when the elf came slinking over. He drew back his hood and looked intently into each of our eyes.
At first he said nothing, then he started to gibber in elvish about freedom, trees and old friends. Tarí and I let him rave on, as it seemed that he had not seen one of his kind for a long time. Then he fell silent and looked at the two of us.
"You are not men." He stated, watching for our reactions carefully.
"Yes, we posed as men to protect ourselves from our captors."
"They were Uruk-Hai?" The strange elf asked. I was surprised by his odd question and nodded my head in reply. "So, Saruman has been breeding more of the foul creatures. How many?" The elf demanded of us. Tarí answered his question and for a while, the conversation halted.
"You are from the realm of the White Lady?" He asked cautiously, as if he was afraid of angering us. His eyes were wide and darted between the two of us, never ceasing, never resting.
"Yes," I replied shortly, not meaning to sound sharp, but the elf fell silent again. He opened his mouth a while later, as if to say something, but then closed it again. He sat there for a while, a range of emotions playing over his face. Finally, he slunk away to his corner and turned away from our gazes.
**
This morning we were moved from the men's cell and now we are confined in a cramped space together, and alone. The guard said nothing of why we have been moved, but he did take our cloaks and sneered as he left: "Give up your act, he knows that you are not male."
Tarí and I were shocked, but unbraided our hair any way. I combed Tarí hair with my fingers, thinking of how Sauron, who was obviously the 'he' the guard had mentioned, could have got to know that we were hiding our identities.
I stroked Tarí's golden hair, marveling at how perfect it had stayed. Apart from the odd stick, or leaf, her hair was only tangled. Tarí looked at me when I finished her hair.
"I believe that the elf in our cell told Sauron." She said quietly, and then began to unbraid my hair.
"Either that our Celahir, Orodreth, Bereth and the others have been tortured into revealing who we are."
Tarí stopped unbraiding my hair abruptly and breathed a shaky breath. "Please don't say that." She whispered. I fell silent, biting back my gloomy thoughts. When Tarí combed my hair, I felt her hot tears on my back. When I turned, she turned away and would not look at me.
"Tari," I said quietly, putting a hand on her shoulder. She shivered under my touch, but welcomed the comforting hug I enveloped her in. We sat for some time, Tarí shoulders shaking, her hot tears of anger and weariness sliding down her pale cheeks.
**
This morning I was surprised by an Uruk-Hai guard, tall and well-built.
"The Dark Lord will see you." He announced and I was grabbed roughly, surprised by the aggression in the guards movements. Tarí was left to wander her dreams, the guard careful not to disturb her. The guard was heavily cloaked and had an iron grip. My weak legs buckled as he forced me through a narrow corridor and up a stair of steep stairs. "Get up!" He rasped and I felt the sharp point of his sword on my back. I gripped the railing and pulled myself up the stairs willing myself to make it to the top.
The guard huffed along behind me, and finally I made it to the top. Many corridors and rooms later, I was halted by a hard grip on my shoulder. I panted shallowly, trying the catch my breath after the hard climb. My legs ached furiously and black spots floated around my eyes.
I stood, wavering on the spot, blocking out the intense pain. A door opened in front of me and Sauron appeared. On his finger gleamed the One Ring.
"So it is true." I mumbled to myself, using all my strength to keep standing.
"Get this lady a seat." Sauron demanded, I could hear his voice but it sounded very far away. "Can you not see she is weary? Make haste or it'll be your body hanging from the walls at dawn!"
The guard departed hastily, and Sauron made towards me. My sight blurred and the ache in my legs intensified. "I have been waiting to see you, Ayssa ó Lórien."
The sound of my name on his lips made me shudder and the slight movement caused my legs to give way.
I looked up through heavy eyes to see Sauron bend down to lift me up. I fought, weakly, and then my eyes closed and I saw him no more.
**
I was woken by a pleasant surprise, much preferable to that of the hostile guard.
"Wake up, meldis." A warm voice coaxed. My eyelids fluttered, a bright light temporarily blinding me.
"Where am I?" I wondered aloud, confused as to who would be speaking Sindarin in such an evil land.
"Dolen, for now." The voice replied. A pair of hands helped me sit, but I could not see through the bright haze.
I wondered who I would be hidden from, then remembered my encounter with the Dark Lord.
"Am I hidden from Sauron?" I asked, dazed. I still couldn't see the face of my comforter. "Who are you? Are you an elf?" I asked quietly.
Suddenly, I could see with such clarity it was like a splash of cool water.
"Alatáriel?" I asked in wonder. She smiled sadly and cupped my hand in her hand. She looked awfully weary, her golden hair that her proud head had once boasted hung limp. Her skin was nearly translucent and her eyes held hidden pain and horror.
"Ayssa." She returned and stood. I sat, realising that I was lying on a comfortable bed. I looked at my Lady, confused.
"We are weary, I see deep pain in your heart."
"Hope is not lost yet," I said quietly, hanging my head. "Yet I feel like I can do nothing."
Galadriel smiled, a smile tainted with sadness. Her smile did not touch her eyes, which held a haunted look. I noticed an odd thing about the White Lady. She seemed restrained in some way, like she could not completely connect with me.
"You are held within a spell." I realised, sitting up a little straighter, reaching out a hand to push away the fine threads of magic. My hand passed through them and I pulled away, realising that I could not help her.
"Has Sauron done this?" I asked gently. My Queen nodded and tears glinted on her eyelids in the light. "How long?"
"I cannot remember a time when I was not held by the coldness of his iron fist." She replied, barely whispering.
"Can you show me the trees again?" She asked, her voice breaking with emotion. She was weeping openly, tears rolling down her gaunt cheeks. I nodded and sat nearer to the White Lady, holding her head in my hands. I rested my brow against hers and used the magic given to me by her, through blood and many generations, to show her the trees I remember.
Alatáriel gave a small shudder, and after I had finished, she stood up. A little colour had returned to her cheeks and she looked much happier. She stood proud and tall and there was an air about her that seemed she was better.
"Sauron the Deceiver is clever in his plans." She said quietly, her voice stronger than before. "He has nearly wiped out the entire force of rebels. He uses the Palantír here to contact Saruman in Orthanc and by the day, they grow stronger in numbers. Saruman has been breeding more and more of his creation: Uruk-Hai. They are bred fighters; they do not weary easily and can travel for days with little food or rest. You know this, they were you captors."
I nodded, knowing that when I had connected my mind with Galadriels, she had been able to see as she could without the spell Sauron had cast about her.
"He has nearly won. What he plans to do after Middle Earth is his, I do not know. I cannot see into the hearts of others anymore and he is elusive when I attempt."
"Is this world not already his?" I wondered aloud, standing to join the Lady at the window. She had dressed me in a simple cotton night dress. I felt the fabric absently, finding simple joy in the touch of the elven woven material. I looked about for my traveling cloak and other clothes but they were nowhere to be seen.
"They have been burned." Galadriel said, as if she had read my thoughts.
"Is this Middle Earth his yet?" I asked again, following her gaze to the dark land outside.
A loud crash sounded and we both jumped. Galadriel frowned, the movement creasing her perfect brow. There was a definite change about her, her hair caught the light once again and her eyes were brighter, more alert.
Two heavy doors, which were the entrance to the hidden room, opened and Sauron entered. I immediately felt a growing fear as his presence washed over my senses.
"No, unfortunately there are still some rebels who refuse to back down. Sort of like the fleas that bite at a horse, they are nothing but an irritation and I plan to exterminate them."
I settled my gaze on the doors behind Sauron, refusing to make eye contact.
"I will be moving you." He said directly to me, studying me closely. "You've done something." He then said and moved closer. I recoiled and made a hasty retreat.
Alatáriel moved to intervene. "She has done nothing. Leave her or it will be me you fight."
Sauron sneered at her. "You? Do not joke, you could not stand against me." He moved around Galadriel, speaking words in the Black Speech, words that grated against my soul. Galadriel remained still, her legs refusing to move at her will.
"You have done something, to her." He gestured towards Alatáriel.
"Yes." I whispered, backing until I was against a wall. Sauron moved so close that his nose was nearly meeting mine own.
"Well don't do it again." He said in a deadly voice, his eyes flashing with anger. He wore a long dark cloak, the hood pulled up, covering his face. His eyes were the only things that caught the light and I found myself caught in them, unable to look away.
He then pulled back his hood and I was shocked. Before me stood Celeborn, Lord of Lórien. "My Lord?" I asked in amazement.
"No!" Alatáriel broke in, still unable to move. "He can take the form of any being he has seen, male or female."
Sauron sighed and pulled his hood back over his face. Once again it sunk into the shadowy darkness, his eyes glinting like steel in the light.
"Take her away," He ordered and two guards, who stood outside the doors, rushed to comply.
**
"Where are you taking me?" I demanded of the guards as the dragged me along narrow corridors and down steep, winding staircases. My legs had given out long ago and there was no strength left in them to stand, let alone walk. Alatáriel had managed to heal them partly and so there was no longer any pain, only a lingering weakness.
"To the cells where no one gets let out." One sneered, giving my arm a hard squeeze. "You'll rot down there." He promised, giving me a toothless grin.
"You'll have company, don't worry." The other said, his pace quickening slightly. "Only three of the most dangerous prisoners we've ever had. You'll probably die before you have a chance to rot."
"What about Tarí?" I asked, biting back a gasp as the air grew suddenly chill.
"Oh, she'll be fine, do you worry. She'll go back with your friends and enjoy the torture as much as they have been!" The first guard cackled, nudging me with a sharp elbow.
We came to an abrupt halt before a dark cell. I could just make out three shapes in the darkness. Keys jangled and suddenly, the shortest of the three let out a growl and jumped to their feet. The second guard drew his sword and held it at me throat.
"Just try it, scum, and you'll only have the other two to stare at for eternity and the smell of her corpse to endure!"
The prisoner sat heavily and grumbled. The guard opened the cell and shoved me roughly in. "Have fun with her, boys." He jeered and locked the cell tight again. I didn't look up until the sounds of the footsteps died away and there was nothing left but the sound of a lone drip somewhere in the gloom.
I felt a sharp point in the pocket of the night dress. I pulled the object out, and realizing it was a stone that could be used for light, I quickly spoke the spell for light and held in front of me in defense.
My companions said nothing and only haunted faces of the man, Aragorn, the prince, Legolas, and the dwarf, Gimli stared back at me in the gloom, dimly lit by the stone.
************
I'm so sorry that took so long, but I'm off to Aussie for a week so I thought I would give you something to read while I'm gone. I've changed a whole lot from my original draft so I hope you like it! Please review, and note that I'm not doing a spelling or grammar check on this so please forgive me for any intrusive errors!
In the Shadows
Chapter Four - Barad-dûr
Ayssa
**
We have been locked in separate cells, except for Tarí and I. We have been placed in a cell with other men who seem to have been here for a while. The cell is small and dirty, the ceiling is low and the bars that hold us from freedom are thick.
I am glad for my large traveling cloak, as it has hidden my identity from these strange men. Obviously the Uruk-Hai do not see Tarí and I as a threat, otherwise we would have been locked away separately.
We have been told to expect an interrogation later, some of the Uruk-Hai guards said, seriously, that the Dark Lord himself might conduct the "interview" as they called it. The Orc guards here are not exactly gentle. When they cast Tarí and I into this cell, my legs jarred painfully and I spent most of our first night unconscious, or in hazy pain. I have been stretching them and resting them as much as possible. I do not wish to be crippled for life.
Tarí escaped the brutal treatment of the Uruk-Hai with a few bruises, but not serious ones. Our cellmates did not make any attempt at all to communicate with us. Barely any of them even looked up as we were thrown in here.
It measures five by three elven steps. I know, because in my concern about my legs, I have paced the length and width of the cell many times. There are ten of us in here, counting Tarí and myself. The sleeping space is where you drop and the feeding times are so irregular, you do not know whether you will stave to death, or burst from over eating.
Everything they give us is eaten within seconds and anyone with scraps still on their plate may find themselves contesting for them. I can sense that many of the men here have been here a very long time.
They are mostly human. There is another elf, but he has refused Tarí and I to come near him. He avoids our gazes and evades us if we try to come near him. The strange this is that he does not tell the other men that we are not men and are in fact female. There is a dwarf here also. He has thick, long, dark hair and a big beard. He hasn't talked much, but has made it clear that he does not wish to be near us. He also avoids the mysterious elf. Of course, elves and dwarfs are known not to get along with one another.
I am have a sinking feeling that I may never see the trees or feel the grass beneath my feet again. Fresh air would be a blessing, the air is close and the men smell. Tarí is by my side constantly and I am thankful for her presence.
**
This morning, if you could call it that, the silent elf spoke to us. The men and dwarf had fallen asleep when the elf came slinking over. He drew back his hood and looked intently into each of our eyes.
At first he said nothing, then he started to gibber in elvish about freedom, trees and old friends. Tarí and I let him rave on, as it seemed that he had not seen one of his kind for a long time. Then he fell silent and looked at the two of us.
"You are not men." He stated, watching for our reactions carefully.
"Yes, we posed as men to protect ourselves from our captors."
"They were Uruk-Hai?" The strange elf asked. I was surprised by his odd question and nodded my head in reply. "So, Saruman has been breeding more of the foul creatures. How many?" The elf demanded of us. Tarí answered his question and for a while, the conversation halted.
"You are from the realm of the White Lady?" He asked cautiously, as if he was afraid of angering us. His eyes were wide and darted between the two of us, never ceasing, never resting.
"Yes," I replied shortly, not meaning to sound sharp, but the elf fell silent again. He opened his mouth a while later, as if to say something, but then closed it again. He sat there for a while, a range of emotions playing over his face. Finally, he slunk away to his corner and turned away from our gazes.
**
This morning we were moved from the men's cell and now we are confined in a cramped space together, and alone. The guard said nothing of why we have been moved, but he did take our cloaks and sneered as he left: "Give up your act, he knows that you are not male."
Tarí and I were shocked, but unbraided our hair any way. I combed Tarí hair with my fingers, thinking of how Sauron, who was obviously the 'he' the guard had mentioned, could have got to know that we were hiding our identities.
I stroked Tarí's golden hair, marveling at how perfect it had stayed. Apart from the odd stick, or leaf, her hair was only tangled. Tarí looked at me when I finished her hair.
"I believe that the elf in our cell told Sauron." She said quietly, and then began to unbraid my hair.
"Either that our Celahir, Orodreth, Bereth and the others have been tortured into revealing who we are."
Tarí stopped unbraiding my hair abruptly and breathed a shaky breath. "Please don't say that." She whispered. I fell silent, biting back my gloomy thoughts. When Tarí combed my hair, I felt her hot tears on my back. When I turned, she turned away and would not look at me.
"Tari," I said quietly, putting a hand on her shoulder. She shivered under my touch, but welcomed the comforting hug I enveloped her in. We sat for some time, Tarí shoulders shaking, her hot tears of anger and weariness sliding down her pale cheeks.
**
This morning I was surprised by an Uruk-Hai guard, tall and well-built.
"The Dark Lord will see you." He announced and I was grabbed roughly, surprised by the aggression in the guards movements. Tarí was left to wander her dreams, the guard careful not to disturb her. The guard was heavily cloaked and had an iron grip. My weak legs buckled as he forced me through a narrow corridor and up a stair of steep stairs. "Get up!" He rasped and I felt the sharp point of his sword on my back. I gripped the railing and pulled myself up the stairs willing myself to make it to the top.
The guard huffed along behind me, and finally I made it to the top. Many corridors and rooms later, I was halted by a hard grip on my shoulder. I panted shallowly, trying the catch my breath after the hard climb. My legs ached furiously and black spots floated around my eyes.
I stood, wavering on the spot, blocking out the intense pain. A door opened in front of me and Sauron appeared. On his finger gleamed the One Ring.
"So it is true." I mumbled to myself, using all my strength to keep standing.
"Get this lady a seat." Sauron demanded, I could hear his voice but it sounded very far away. "Can you not see she is weary? Make haste or it'll be your body hanging from the walls at dawn!"
The guard departed hastily, and Sauron made towards me. My sight blurred and the ache in my legs intensified. "I have been waiting to see you, Ayssa ó Lórien."
The sound of my name on his lips made me shudder and the slight movement caused my legs to give way.
I looked up through heavy eyes to see Sauron bend down to lift me up. I fought, weakly, and then my eyes closed and I saw him no more.
**
I was woken by a pleasant surprise, much preferable to that of the hostile guard.
"Wake up, meldis." A warm voice coaxed. My eyelids fluttered, a bright light temporarily blinding me.
"Where am I?" I wondered aloud, confused as to who would be speaking Sindarin in such an evil land.
"Dolen, for now." The voice replied. A pair of hands helped me sit, but I could not see through the bright haze.
I wondered who I would be hidden from, then remembered my encounter with the Dark Lord.
"Am I hidden from Sauron?" I asked, dazed. I still couldn't see the face of my comforter. "Who are you? Are you an elf?" I asked quietly.
Suddenly, I could see with such clarity it was like a splash of cool water.
"Alatáriel?" I asked in wonder. She smiled sadly and cupped my hand in her hand. She looked awfully weary, her golden hair that her proud head had once boasted hung limp. Her skin was nearly translucent and her eyes held hidden pain and horror.
"Ayssa." She returned and stood. I sat, realising that I was lying on a comfortable bed. I looked at my Lady, confused.
"We are weary, I see deep pain in your heart."
"Hope is not lost yet," I said quietly, hanging my head. "Yet I feel like I can do nothing."
Galadriel smiled, a smile tainted with sadness. Her smile did not touch her eyes, which held a haunted look. I noticed an odd thing about the White Lady. She seemed restrained in some way, like she could not completely connect with me.
"You are held within a spell." I realised, sitting up a little straighter, reaching out a hand to push away the fine threads of magic. My hand passed through them and I pulled away, realising that I could not help her.
"Has Sauron done this?" I asked gently. My Queen nodded and tears glinted on her eyelids in the light. "How long?"
"I cannot remember a time when I was not held by the coldness of his iron fist." She replied, barely whispering.
"Can you show me the trees again?" She asked, her voice breaking with emotion. She was weeping openly, tears rolling down her gaunt cheeks. I nodded and sat nearer to the White Lady, holding her head in my hands. I rested my brow against hers and used the magic given to me by her, through blood and many generations, to show her the trees I remember.
Alatáriel gave a small shudder, and after I had finished, she stood up. A little colour had returned to her cheeks and she looked much happier. She stood proud and tall and there was an air about her that seemed she was better.
"Sauron the Deceiver is clever in his plans." She said quietly, her voice stronger than before. "He has nearly wiped out the entire force of rebels. He uses the Palantír here to contact Saruman in Orthanc and by the day, they grow stronger in numbers. Saruman has been breeding more and more of his creation: Uruk-Hai. They are bred fighters; they do not weary easily and can travel for days with little food or rest. You know this, they were you captors."
I nodded, knowing that when I had connected my mind with Galadriels, she had been able to see as she could without the spell Sauron had cast about her.
"He has nearly won. What he plans to do after Middle Earth is his, I do not know. I cannot see into the hearts of others anymore and he is elusive when I attempt."
"Is this world not already his?" I wondered aloud, standing to join the Lady at the window. She had dressed me in a simple cotton night dress. I felt the fabric absently, finding simple joy in the touch of the elven woven material. I looked about for my traveling cloak and other clothes but they were nowhere to be seen.
"They have been burned." Galadriel said, as if she had read my thoughts.
"Is this Middle Earth his yet?" I asked again, following her gaze to the dark land outside.
A loud crash sounded and we both jumped. Galadriel frowned, the movement creasing her perfect brow. There was a definite change about her, her hair caught the light once again and her eyes were brighter, more alert.
Two heavy doors, which were the entrance to the hidden room, opened and Sauron entered. I immediately felt a growing fear as his presence washed over my senses.
"No, unfortunately there are still some rebels who refuse to back down. Sort of like the fleas that bite at a horse, they are nothing but an irritation and I plan to exterminate them."
I settled my gaze on the doors behind Sauron, refusing to make eye contact.
"I will be moving you." He said directly to me, studying me closely. "You've done something." He then said and moved closer. I recoiled and made a hasty retreat.
Alatáriel moved to intervene. "She has done nothing. Leave her or it will be me you fight."
Sauron sneered at her. "You? Do not joke, you could not stand against me." He moved around Galadriel, speaking words in the Black Speech, words that grated against my soul. Galadriel remained still, her legs refusing to move at her will.
"You have done something, to her." He gestured towards Alatáriel.
"Yes." I whispered, backing until I was against a wall. Sauron moved so close that his nose was nearly meeting mine own.
"Well don't do it again." He said in a deadly voice, his eyes flashing with anger. He wore a long dark cloak, the hood pulled up, covering his face. His eyes were the only things that caught the light and I found myself caught in them, unable to look away.
He then pulled back his hood and I was shocked. Before me stood Celeborn, Lord of Lórien. "My Lord?" I asked in amazement.
"No!" Alatáriel broke in, still unable to move. "He can take the form of any being he has seen, male or female."
Sauron sighed and pulled his hood back over his face. Once again it sunk into the shadowy darkness, his eyes glinting like steel in the light.
"Take her away," He ordered and two guards, who stood outside the doors, rushed to comply.
**
"Where are you taking me?" I demanded of the guards as the dragged me along narrow corridors and down steep, winding staircases. My legs had given out long ago and there was no strength left in them to stand, let alone walk. Alatáriel had managed to heal them partly and so there was no longer any pain, only a lingering weakness.
"To the cells where no one gets let out." One sneered, giving my arm a hard squeeze. "You'll rot down there." He promised, giving me a toothless grin.
"You'll have company, don't worry." The other said, his pace quickening slightly. "Only three of the most dangerous prisoners we've ever had. You'll probably die before you have a chance to rot."
"What about Tarí?" I asked, biting back a gasp as the air grew suddenly chill.
"Oh, she'll be fine, do you worry. She'll go back with your friends and enjoy the torture as much as they have been!" The first guard cackled, nudging me with a sharp elbow.
We came to an abrupt halt before a dark cell. I could just make out three shapes in the darkness. Keys jangled and suddenly, the shortest of the three let out a growl and jumped to their feet. The second guard drew his sword and held it at me throat.
"Just try it, scum, and you'll only have the other two to stare at for eternity and the smell of her corpse to endure!"
The prisoner sat heavily and grumbled. The guard opened the cell and shoved me roughly in. "Have fun with her, boys." He jeered and locked the cell tight again. I didn't look up until the sounds of the footsteps died away and there was nothing left but the sound of a lone drip somewhere in the gloom.
I felt a sharp point in the pocket of the night dress. I pulled the object out, and realizing it was a stone that could be used for light, I quickly spoke the spell for light and held in front of me in defense.
My companions said nothing and only haunted faces of the man, Aragorn, the prince, Legolas, and the dwarf, Gimli stared back at me in the gloom, dimly lit by the stone.
************
I'm so sorry that took so long, but I'm off to Aussie for a week so I thought I would give you something to read while I'm gone. I've changed a whole lot from my original draft so I hope you like it! Please review, and note that I'm not doing a spelling or grammar check on this so please forgive me for any intrusive errors!