Author´s note:
Thanks once more for all these kind reviews and sorry so very much for not updating for more than a year. Shame on me. ;-) I must admit I had abandoned this for a while, not really planning to drop it totally nor intending to get back to it soon... but somewhat I feel inspired these days so I continued this and now am able to proudly present another chapter. Hope you enjoy it. Please drop a line or two. Thanks a lot!
Nili
Chapter 16
The watcher in the water
So their journey continued and all mountains´ snow
and the howling of wolves soon seemed ages ago.
But the fear in the heart of the wizard still grew.
He feared worse things to come and they were just so few.
Just so little a host for a quest, few to aid
him, the little Ringbearer, who´d soon meet his fate.
So it hence came to pass that the gate of the halls
of the proud Dwarven kingdom drew near. Blackened walls
crossed their way. Smoothest rock reached so high
That the stones´ looming darkness stood against the sky.
Oh! Majestic they once were, were Moria´s walls,
but no man´d expect entrance here to glitt´ring halls
for the entrance was hidden, not easy to find
for an unknowing eye that was senseless and blind.
At the rims of the lake they stood and creeping fear
touched their hearts like cold fingers were suddenly near.
But the wizard´s skilled eyes saw the wall, found the door
which soon sparkeled like silver when light touched the floor.
In the middle of darkness the smooth silver flowt
that its carvers once made, revealed stroke after bow:
Seven stars, ancient letters and one silver tree,
silver hammer, an anvil, all this they would see.
And the letters they told in fair Eldarin word
that the gate wouldn´t open before not the word
had been uttered that finally undid the spell.
Long the fellowship stood there and thought I can tell.
And a lake was nearby with its waters so dark
and so brooding and evil that if one would hark
One would hear not a sound but the air full of doom
could be sensed and one would think of things that could loom
in this dark lake´s own sinister beds, monsters tall
that were creeping so closely to Moria´s wall.
And indeed there it was and still closer it krept:
A fell beast full of hatret and melace. They stepped
on the doorstep of Moria and didn´t heed
that the waters were troubled, yes troubled indeed!
They did not see the shadow that lay on the ground
for I tell you the watcher did not make a sound
when in waters as dark as the world´s final rim
it krept nearer and nearer to the lake´s dark brim
watching out for a hobbit who had the one Ring
for it too had desired to own this strange thing.
But not hobbit nor Elf, dwarf, nor wizard nor man
then took heed of the waters that bubbled and ran.
They were busy to find a spell or find a word
which would open the gates if now once it was heard.
And like children they stood knowing nothing to do
till they found that they all had just acted like fools.
T´was a riddle, a riddle, they soon came to know
when they stood by the lake and they suffered the blow
of the fell nightly winds and they suddenly knew
that it just was a riddle and there was one true
word they just had to utter, so simple and small.
Just the Elf word for friend. That was all! That was all!
And so Gandalf spoke "mellon" and this little word
seemed to make the walls quiver and when they had heard
the old wizard now utter it the heavy walls
opened up its stong gates, lead to Moria´s halls.
Full of wonder the Fellowship made the next step
until suddenly foul arms so sinister krept
over stone and rock swiftly and ere they could go
through the now open archway, ere they could step fro
Lo! The Ringbearer screams with a scream full of fear
and the watcher of waters has got him right here.
Grabs his leg, grabs his arms, searches feverishly
for the Ring, for the Ring, and the others they see
Kreeping darkness, tentacles and waters insane!
They jump fro but they swordstrokes they all seem in vain.
For the Ringbearer´s strength soon is weakend! They fear
he´ll be drowned ere the end of their quest would be near.
And the Elven bow sings and Isildurs sole heir
draws his sword ´gainst the beast shows courage even there.
And the hobbits rush forth with their courage combined
without heeding the danger they so soon could find.
And the trustful small pony who´s dear to old Sam
gives a neigh, bolts from fear, into darkness it ran
ere the final blind stroke strikes the core of the beast
and it roars and it shrieks and its prey is released.
And they run for their lives without pony and all
but just with they pure lives ere the heavy rocks fall.
Ere the arms of the watcher can reach them they bolt
through the now open archway, into caves so cold.
With a last final bang all the rocks block their way
and they now are in darkness and here they must stay
For the way they have come now is burried by stone,
so now really those nine seem to be all alone.
Blackened halls, creepy pits and no dwarf here does dwell
nor an anvil or hammer is heard I must tell.
So what happened to all those halls´ glistening pride?
You will see, so come back but for now folks: good night.
