Underpass
Breakfast came and went hurriedly. The riders packed and departed before the sunrise. The ascent up the mountain was treacherous, but they all managed. The trees that covered the lower half of the mountain were ominous and foreboding. Jamie tried to shut out their warning whispers, but their messages of coming woe were insistent. She rode closer to Quickbeam to ask his opinion.
"Should I be worried?" she asked.
"Not all trees are allies, Jamie," he said quietly. "These old pines are not trustworthy."
"Should I sing?" Jamie asked.
"Not here," Quickbeam said firmly. "They would not accept your commands, and I would not be able to stop so many should they realize who you are."
Jamie shivered at the thought of the trees turning on her. It was creepy to think that what she had always accepted to be just an ordinary plant would have feelings and consciousness. These trees were malicious and she didn't like it at all. She rode close to Quickbeam all morning, and was relieved when they passed the tree line and came out into the open. There was a meadow there that was covered with wildflowers. The view of the surrounding peaks was spectacular, and Aragorn halted them to rest and eat.
"Let the horses have a breather," Aragorn said. "They can graze while we eat."
Thelyn came over to sit by Jamie while they ate. Aragorn watched them out of the corner of his eye, but they merely kept each other company. Legolas sat beside him and interrupted his thoughts.
"Tell me how long do you intend to try keeping those two apart?" Legolas asked.
Aragorn sighed, "Until I believe they are ready."
"Look at them, Aragorn," Legolas said quietly. "Who do they remind you of?"
Aragorn looked at the pair. Jamie blushed and smiled, and Thelyn shared a piece of fruit with her. In that instant, he was struck by a memory of Miranda and Haldir, sitting by the fire on the road to Linhir. Thelyn looked at Jamie the same way he looked at Arwen, and she had the same joy in her eyes he saw in Miiriel's when she looked at Eldarion. He sighed and looked at Legolas.
"Solstice," he said. "They will wait until the solstice when she is officially of age to court. But they will still need to be chaperoned."
Legolas smiled, "Should I tell them?"
"No, let them wonder for a few more days," Aragorn said with a grin. "The surprise will be entertaining."
With their rest over, the company pressed on coming to the summit of the pass known as Black Wolf pass. It was getting late as they began their descent on the eastern side of the peak. In the distance, lost in the wood they heard howling. Nyére shivered involuntarily at the haunting sound. Polodrin noticed and spoke to her.
"Our company is too large to be concerned with the wolves," he said.
"These wolves are uncommonly brave," Nyére said seriously. "They are the pets of the mountain men. This is the more dangerous side of the mountain."
Aragorn heard the exchange and made a decision. "Let's make camp out here in the open and travel through the wood in daylight," he suggested. "We will not be taken by surprise in the night."
Nyére was still uncertain, "We should keep moving until we are out of their territory. Perhaps we can sneak through before they have time to prepare for us."
"Why would they attack travelers?" Legolas asked.
"They hate Elves, and here I see four that would draw their attention, especially me," she said.
Aragorn looked at Legolas, "What do you think?"
"She may be right. Perhaps we should try to slip through at night," Legolas said.
Aragorn conceded, "Then you lead us, Lady, you have passed this way before."
Nyére nodded and they continued into the wood. Jamie was suddenly struck by a deafening silence from the trees, and she gasped. These trees were living, growing and silent. Quickbeam kept pace beside her. He looked just as uneasy as she felt. Thelyn rode close on her other side and spoke to her.
"What's wrong Jamie?" he asked.
"The trees are silent," she said. "I don't like it."
"Perhaps they are sleeping," Thelyn offered.
"No," Quickbeam said. "They lie in wait for something. Be on guard."
The path grew dark as the light faded. No sound could be heard in the wood, no animal or bird stirred. They were careful to keep moving, but did not hurry. They could be heard for some distance in all this eerie silence. Jamie watched the trees with dread and then suddenly she heard a single voice.
They wait for you beyond the next hill…
Jamie recognized the voice of one single tree and she answered, "How many?"
As many as the trees… and they will not stir to aid you, beware…
Jamie halted and the others paused and turned.
"What is it?" Aragorn asked.
"There's an ambush ahead, and there are lots of them," she said. "The trees won't help beyond the warning."
Aragorn looked at Quickbeam who nodded his agreement.
Aragorn frowned and looked at Nyére. "Can we avoid them?"
Nyére furrowed her brow and the she remembered. "There is no way to avoid detection here. The Dwarves might help us," she said. "But it is a gamble."
"A gamble on help is better than certain trouble," Jamie said.
"Which way?" Legolas asked.
Nyére pointed off the trail to their left. Aragorn immediately motioned for her to lead them there. They traveled across country in the darkness for nearly two miles before coming to a cliff face. Nyére dismounted and searched along the wall for the entrance. Finally she found an opening hidden behind some bushes. Fortunately it was large enough for the horses.
"Here, but there will be sentries waiting," she said.
Aragorn nodded and they all dismounted and led their horses. Quickbeam ducked down and had to crawl. Some twenty feet in, the tunnel opened into a huge dimly lit chamber and Quickbeam could stand freely. Aragorn and Nyére halted and waited.
"How soon will we be greeted?" Aragorn asked.
"You are not invited," a deep harsh voice said. "What business have the Elves with our mountain?"
They looked around, but saw no one. Aragorn answered, "We apologize for intruding. We were avoiding an ambush above."
"Your safety is not our concern. Return the way you came and we will not harm you," the voice said.
Jamie wasn't going to risk her friends' lives in the forest; she had to change their minds. She stepped forward and spoke, "I lead this company," she said. "I am unfamiliar with your country, or your people, but I was hoping you might be able to help us. We only want to continue on our way in peace. Can you show us a safer way down the mountain? Please?"
Out of the shadows stepped twenty heavily armed dwarves. They all had black hair and beards, though some were sprinkled with gray. A stout formidable looking dwarf looked at Jamie with interest.
"You are their leader?" he asked with mirth in his voice. "I thought the elf or the man led you. Why do they follow a little girl?"
Aragorn watched the Dwarf leader carefully and was about to answer, but Jamie seemed to be holding her own just fine. He decided to let her handle this for the moment.
"The journey is mine," she said seriously. "They came to help me, but I must lead. We meant no harm to you sir; we only want to find a way around the ambush above."
"Then identify your company," the dwarf said with a chuckle in his voice. He still didn't believe they followed the female, but he would play along for a little mirth before they drove the intruders from the mine.
Jamie identified each one carefully, cautiously leaving out titles. As they were introduced, each bowed to their nervous host. "This is Aragorn, Legolas, Thelyn, Alcon, Polodrin, Bergo, Fretho, and Nyére. The tall one is Quickbeam," she said.
"And you?" the dwarf asked.
"I am Jamie, sir," she said with respect. "Will you help us?"
"What's in it for us?" he asked as he held his axe menacingly.
"I can offer you nothing but my friendship and a song," she said.
There was murmuring among the other Dwarves as they considered her simple words.
"You are either brave or foolish," he said. "I am Gorvo, high leader of this mine. We have not permitted outsiders here for hundreds of years. We trust no one, nor do we seek friendship. What makes you believe we would care for yours?"
"I do not know anything about you, I only offered what was mine to give," Jamie said dejectedly. Apparently her influence meant nothing. Some leader she turned out to be. "I apologize again for the intrusion. We will leave and trouble you no more." Jamie bowed to Gorvo and turned to go, but another dwarf interrupted.
"Stop, woman," The older dwarf said. "You are being deceptive."
Jamie turned and looked at him with anger in her eyes. "How have I deceived you?"
"You withhold the truth of your companions. There is an Elf princess among you, yet you said nothing," he said firmly.
"We do not use titles in this group, all are friends here," Jamie said quickly. "Their names and titles mean little so far from their homes, if they wish to flaunt their heritage for you that is their business. I only meant to protect them from harm."
"You are clever for a human," Gorvo said thoughtfully. "I wonder who else in your company carries an important title."
Aragorn had waited long enough to speak. He stepped forward and spoke boldly, "I do."
"Speak then, follower of this child," Gorvo said in annoyance.
"I am Elessar, King of Gondor," he said. "In this company I am called by my family name, Aragorn."
"And I am Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thandruil of Mirkwood, now called Emyn Lasgalen," Legolas said.
"I am Polodrin, son of Faramir, Steward of Gondor and Prince of Ithilien," Polodrin said.
Bergo and Fretho stepped forward and Bergo addressed him formally, "We are Rangers in the service of our King."
"I am Nyére, daughter of Ondollo of the Northern Dorian Wood, also called the Twilight Flower of my people," Nyére said.
"We are the youngest sons of Lord Haldir of Lorien and the great Hiri Nolwe," Alcon said.
Quickbeam just sighed and said, "I'm just an Ent."
The Dwarves were all a little overwhelmed by the titles flying, but Gorvo just looked at Jamie thoughtfully.
"Who then are you that you lead such a grand company?" he asked her seriously.
"The Ents call me the Voice of the Forest," she said. "I was asked to travel to the east in search of their Entwives who have been lost for many ages."
Gorvo turned to one of the older dwarves and they spoke a moment. Then he turned back to Jamie. "Follow us," he said simply.
The dwarves withdrew save a handful that led them across the large chamber they had entered. The lamps were lit and the cavernous room was spectacular. There were elaborately carved pillars and as they continued on, they saw more dwarves coming and going. Gorvo passed through a large arched doorway into another chamber and ordered some of his dwarves to take their horses.
"They will be tended to," Gorvo said lightly. "We have no tall steeds like these, but our stables are large enough to accommodate your horses."
They entered yet another large chamber that seemed to stretch for miles, and Gorvo turned right and led them to a smaller room. Inside there was a grand hall with many tables set up and prepared for a meal. The room was noisy with conversation until the dwarves noticed the newcomers and all became quiet. Gorvo just pointed to a table for them to be seated and went to the head table on the dais. The room was torn between looking at their leader and staring at the strangers.
"We have not had guests in these halls for many years," Gorvo said. "Today we were visited by these travelers seeking our aid, and I have decided to welcome them." There was murmuring in the hall, but Gorvo raised a hand and everyone hushed. "In exchange for passage through our mine, the woman will give us a song."
Jamie's eyes doubled in size and she visibly gulped. Aragorn just looked at her with a smile.
"You made a promise to our host, Jamie," he said. "Go on."
Jamie stood and timidly walked over to Gorvo. He smirked and sat down to listen. Jamie had no idea what she would sing, but she stood there boldly and looked out at the assembly of rough looking dwarves. They looked like the adventurous type, and thought they would like the Rime of the Ancient Mariner, but she doubted they had ever seen the sea. She paused thoughtfully and then she started to sing…
"In Heaven a spirit doth dwell 'whose heart-strings are a lute'; None sing so wildly well as the angel Israfel, and the giddy stars (so legends tell),Ceasing their hymns, attend the spell of his voice, all mute." Good old Poe and that amazing imagination of his... "If I could dwell where Israfel hath dwelt, and he where I, He might not sing so wildly wella mortal melody... While a bolder note than this might swell from my lyre within the sky." (Israfel, Poe)
Gorvo sat enthralled by the voice that rose within his hall, and all his subjects sat bewildered. When Jamie finally finished, Gorvo stood and stepped to the edge of the dais. He looked out at his gathered company and smiled.
"What say you, has she paid for our help?" he asked.
The dwarves in the hall rose to their feet and cheered out an overwhelming "Yea!"
"Then let us eat and drink with our guests and on the morrow, show them the easy way down the mountain!" Gorvo said brightly.
The cheering continued, and Jamie went back to her seat. She was blushing crimson and Aragorn was the first to speak to her.
"And that is why a King, two Princes, a Princess and the rest of us follow a little girl," he said with a smile. "You were the only one who could turn an awkward situation into a new friendship."
Jamie didn't say a word. The meal was served and the dwarves proved to be gracious hosts. Legolas was reminded of pleasant visits with Gimli and enjoyed their meal with these new dwarves. The evening wore on into the early hours of morning. Songs were sung and stories told and everyone had a good time. Finally, Gorvo rose from his seat and sent everyone home.
"The hour is late, be gone dear revelers! I need an hour of quiet," he said with a laugh and a smile. "Soon we must see to our guest's journey to the valley below. Go home."
It didn't take long for everyone to break up and leave. Jamie and her companions waited and Gorvo came to speak with them. He directed his words to the group, but kept looking at Aragorn.
"I will show you a place where you can rest for a while," he said. "Later we will show you to our eastern exit. My warriors will guard you until you are safely out of the mountain Men's territory."
"Thank you for your help," Aragorn said.
Gorvo looked at Jamie almost wistfully. "No thanks are needed. I have been paid."
Jamie blushed, and Thelyn stepped closer to her and put a protective arm around her. He wasn't sure he trusted the dwarves. This Gorvo seemed to be too interested in Jamie. But he had kept his word so far. He led them to a room where they could rest.