VI: The Tale of Tilvë

At the hour of the arrival of Mahal's embassy, no fewer than a score of the Marlië were at work or lesson in Durin's halls. Thus it was that, when Durin returned from gathering wood with Tilvë beside him, a great stir arose at once, as the elves clamored to see this new creature. No dwarven women had yet come into this land, and the elves, seeing her, were filled with curiosity. Tilvë nodded and smiled at their questing looks and barely-suppressed questions, but Durin glowered, and suddenly felt the elves an unwanted intrusion into his home.

And as all were gathering round those two did Agallo come, who was ever wary. And he looked hard at Tilvë, and spoke with suspicion, saying, "Who is this one, who arrives unannounced, and is not accounted in any tale that Durin yet has told? Mayhaps there is reason for her coming, but are we simply to greet now any who find our home without reservation, and fling all caution to the four winds? Have all here forgotten the lessons of the Black Shadow, and the cunning of his ways? I say to you: Be alert! I would know more about this one, before I set aside my doubts or grant her aught but my mistrust."

When Durin heard these words he was filled with a mighty anger, and would have spoken wrathful words to Agallo in Tilvë's defense. Even in his rage did his hand stray to the axe hanging at his side, but Tilvë stopped him then, and answered Agallo, saying, "Wise are you, O Agallo of the Marlië, yet suspicion ever colors your judgment, even when it has no cause. Behold, am I not of good and honorable heart, and be I not noble of spirit?"

To this Agallo replied, "Aye, these things I sense in you, yet still I say that the Black Shadow is devious, and his servants come in many guises." And several of the other elves nodded, for still they remembered the terror which had lurked in the woods beyond the waters of Cuiviénen, 'ere they came hither with the other Eldar, and abandoned the journey at the foot of the mountains.

But Tilvë in response said, "Then you do not truly know the nature of the Great Foe, for his disguises are many, and his skills and powers are great, but never may he, nor his minions, conceal from those who look deeply upon them the blackness which abides in their hearts. By this may you know him for the enemy, and by this way may you take me as friend. For do I not feel fair, even as did Durin when your lord Orwë stopped your hand, 'ere you would have loosed upon him?" And Agallo and the other elves considered this, and here words seemed wise to them. But before they could speak, Tilvë continued, "Yet did you not first ask for an accounting of me, who is told of in no tale yet spoken by Durin? That story I would fain tell, for by it may you learn not only of me, but of one who serves the Black Shadow, and who's hatred for we here is greater even than his master's."

At the promise of a fresh tale, all the elves were greatly excited, and made haste to prepare for the telling. It was but a short time before a space was set for Tilvë in front of the great fire, and all were gathered before her. Durin and Agallo sat there beside one another at the front, their strife already forgotten. And Tilvë breathed deeply, and quietly she began her story:

"In the time before this world came to be, when there was nothing save the darkness which yet knew no light, there was only Illúvatar on high, the Great Over-Ruler, and he brought into that void the Valar, of whom came both the Black Shadow and the Lords of the West. And with them he made a host of others, like unto they but of lesser station, and these were the Maiar, who are the Servitors. And each of the Servitors came under the fold of one of the Valar, and sang with them in the Great Music, of which Eä was formed.

"In the service of Aulë, who is here named Mahal, were two who were foremost among the Servitors: myself, and one named in the elvish tongue Sauron, and we were twins in the mind of Eru at the moment of our creation. And it was given to me to watch over those beings who would love the earth, and care for the mountains and hills, and with this duty I was content. And to Sauron was given charge over the metals, precious and mundane, lying in the earth, and he was to watch the gold and the silver, the copper and the iron, and parcel it to those who would one day seek it, deep underground. But Sauron was not satisfied, and he lusted for power over more and, to his mind, greater things. He wished dominion, and not an existence of servitude, and it was through this lust that the Black Shadow trapped him, and took him from Mahal's service into his own. Thus did Mahal name him Tukulusku, the Iron Slave, and wept bitterly for his loss, but most for the fall of one so wise and mighty. The good he might have done was great, and to see him turn to darkness cast a pall over Mahal's forges that lingers still, and which perhaps shall not be lifted until the world is mended.

"Yet his power is still great, and it was he who forged the iron gates of Angband, of which none here have ever heard. And though the Black Shadow no longer walks upon these lands, his servants still linger, and Tukulusku is their master, unless the Great Foe should come again. And Tukulusku hates Mahal with a deep hatred sprung of fear, and of pitiful desire for the love which he shall never be given again. And his hatred is yet greater for those who serve Mahal, and most of all for me, who stayed true where he proved false, and who knows still the great love which Mahal gives to those who stand by his side.

"He knows of the dwarves, and he shall most surely move against you, when at last he emerges from hiding. I do not know where he now abides, but I come from Mahal bearing this warning: Beware Tukulusku! For he shall come against you, if not soon then in time, and he is a mighty foe."

Then Agallo sprang up, and cried, "We must send word to the others of Durin's kin!" At this Tilvë nodded, but said, "Yet I fear that he may prevail over some, even with such warning."

All eyes then turned to Durin, but he said nothing, and stared deeply into the fire. And he did not arise until the last embers were extinguished, so deep was he in thought.

I----------

Next Chapter:

VII: The False Peace, and the Treacher Wars