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Moria Revisited
The Silmarillion: P. 60: Of the Silmarils: "In those days, moreover, though the Valar knew indeed of the coming of Men that were to be, the Elves as yet knew naught of it; for Manwë had not revealed it to them."
P. 74: "But from Valmar no message came, and Manwë was silent."
When Galadriel arrived in the Grey Havens she was welcomed by Círdan, who presented her with his Palantir and Shadowfax, the swift Mearh of Rohan who had been Gandalf's steed and who lived with Círdan in the Havens. After a joyful but brief reunion with Círdan, she set off for Moria.
Legolas and Gimli had had an uneventful journey back to Moria. They arrived at the Gates at nightfall when the runes and drawings on their great doors shone with their Ithildin glow in the moonlight. They moved on into the great entrance hall which had been restored by the root-people in Gimli's absence, and reflected the glory of the elder days of Dwarrowdelf, the great ancient city of the Dwarves. Legolas marvelled at how much work had been done. Gimli beamed with pleasure at his compliments.
"Soon this city will be as magnificent as it ever was, and people from all over the world will want to visit us," he said with pride.
They moved along the vast corridors between the great open spaces. These passageways had been cleared of rubble and turned into great roads, wide enough to accommodate traffic coming and going in both directions. As they rode forward, they passed several groups of the root-people, who were busy dusting and sweeping, and generally keeping the corridors clear of debris. They gazed at the hallways built of many huge columns, now majestically restored to their original splendour.
They came upon Mene-mil who was returning from one of the underground mines on the eastern border where he had been overseeing production. He greeted them with excitement.
"Ah, it is good to see you!" he cried. "I have been awaiting your return with much impatience!"
"My dear Mene-mil," said Gimli. "I am delighted to see the progress that has been made in my absence! It is quite marvellous!"
"Hello, Mene-mil," said Legolas in a quiet voice.
"Oh, Master Legolas," Mene-mil said, and his eyes misted. "I have missed you. We have all been much worried about you, and are very pleased that Master Gimli found you and has brought you back to us. It is wonderful to see you looking as well as ever." Mene-mil's amber eyes blazed with excitement and he continued. "Come and see what we have found!"
The Dwarf and Elf dismounted in order to follow him. Some of the root-people came to take their horses away to the stables. The stables were something new in Moria. Horses had never been kept in the mines before.
Mene-mil led Gimli and Legolas down a corridor to a great storeroom, which looked like a huge vault with many iron bars on the doors. A swarm of root-people clambered onto them and got them open very quickly. They went inside, and the root-people lit torches all around the room. Legolas and Gimli could not help but gasp at what they saw there. Around the perimeter of the room were many large storage bins hewn out of stone. In them shone thousands of crystals of every kind of rough gemstone; from lapis lazuli and topaz to rubies, sapphires and diamonds of every shape and size.
"These are where the gems in their crystalline stage are kept," said Mene-mil. "We have found every kind of jewel in the mines beneath these mountains, not to mention every kind of metal. Moria is indeed rich with treasure. Let us go into the next chamber. That is where our jewel-smiths cut the gemstones once they are fired, and the next room after that is where the finished stones are stored. Nearby we have the smithy where the metals and some of the crystals are fired and shaped. We have built a very extensive operation here, with many forges enabling us to do swift work."
Legolas was amazed by the enormity of the production that he saw. Gimli beamed with pride and remarked, "I thought we Dwarves were great craftsmen of jewels, but it seems we cannot hold a candle to the root-people."
"Gimli, do you realize how much wealth is stored here?" asked Legolas. "My mind is racing right now, but I cannot help but think that these riches would benefit Rohan enormously!"
"Rohan!" exclaimed Gimli. "Rohan has no claim on these mines!"
Legolas looked surprised. "No, Gimli, it does not," he replied. "However, if these riches had been found in Ithilorien, I would have donated them to Rohan's aid. The Rohirrim are our friends, Gimli, and they are suffering."
"That may be," said Gimli, and do not assume that I have no feelings for Rohan! Remember that I used to live there. I love Eomer and Eowyn dearly, but one must not be hasty in throwing away one's wealth without a lot of thinking and having long discussions about it first with people who know about such things. Also, one must not be too hasty in making one's wealth known to others."
"You are right, Gimli," said Legolas. "This could turn out to be a matter of some complication, with different politics involved." He sighed. "I have not a very political mind. We should discuss this matter first with Aragorn. Gondor has a long diplomatic history, and Aragorn, being more learned than I about these things, should know what to do. The matter is yours to discuss with him, Gimli. I will not interfere again."
"Harrumph," Gimli grunted. He was somewhat surprised by Legolas' quick backing down. In the past, the Elf was always up for a good argument with him. He had noticed, though, that Legolas had changed much since he had recovered from his injuries. He seemed to have moved into a new level of maturity, and despite his denial of it, seemed to have very good diplomatic abilities.
After they had looked around Moria for a while Gimli told Legolas that he and Mene-mil were going to return to the West Door in order to check on a structural problem that Mene-mil wanted to show him. Legolas replied that he wished to stay and look around in the mines a bit longer and he would meet up with them later. Gimli and Mene-mil then made their way back to the west entrance of Moria. Mene-mil was explaining to Gimli about some of the new things that the root-people had devised.
"The ant lion problem seems to have been solved," said Mene-mil. "Since we boarded and paved over the floors the beasts have been trapped below. They have either smothered or perhaps died from lack of food. We have seen nary a one in a long time."
"Well, that is good news," said Gimli. "I think that—" he stopped abruptly. He became suddenly aware of a faint glow like starlight coming from the hallway ahead. The corridors were lit by well-spaced torches and they were not altogether dark, but were somewhat dim.
"Oh, blast!" thought Gimli. "I am not carrying my axe! Now what is the—" and his thoughts were cut off as a voice spoke to him.
"Hello, Gimli," it said, and its musical quality was like the sweetest song that he had ever heard, years ago when he was but young. Galadriel on Shadowfax appeared from behind a pillar.
As Gimli's gaze fell upon the Lady of Light, whom he loved with all his heart, and whom he thought he would never see again, he felt as if all of the blood had drained out of him. He fainted dead away and almost crushed poor Mene-mil who was standing right behind him when he fell.
Legolas at this moment was being shown by some of the root-people through a system of caves that lay near the East Gate. They reminded him of the Glittering Caves of Helm's Deep where Gimli had recently been living. He also remembered his grandfather's description of the caves of Menegroth in Beleriand, which were no more, and even of the castle caves of Mirkwood.
'My father would speak of Menegroth often, and of how his father had loved it there,' thought Legolas. 'They gave him the idea to build his own kingdom in Mirkwood Forest, near the caves of the Lonely Mountain. I grew up there, in both the caves and the forest, and I am used to living in both. I am tired now of the forest, and the caves seem to draw me to them. I believe with a little work I could make it quite habitable here.'
He was lost in reverie as he looked around, imagining living in Moria. He was brought out of his dreams by one of the root-people reminding him that he should go to meet Gimli as he had promised. The root-man brought him a horse, and Legolas mounted it and turned back in the direction of the west entrance. It was a distance of more than thirty miles, and it would take him over an hour to reach it on horseback.
When Gimli awoke, he opened his eyes and saw Mene-mil's face very close to his own. The root-man's huge amber eyes stared into his. Gimli's head was resting in Galadriel's lap. Her soft hands were stroking each side of his face. "Am I alive or dead?" he asked.
Galadriel laughed. "Why, do you not know that you are alive, silly Dwarf?" she asked. "Come now, and get up." She put her arms around his chest and lifted him easily to his feet. Gimli struggled to find his balance and coughed a little in embarrassment. Mene-mil handed him his belt, which they had removed so as not to constrict his breathing while he lay unconscious. He snatched it out of the root-man's hands with a disapproving look.
"Pardon me, my lady," he mumbled, his face red, as he turned his back to her in order to put his belt back on. Galadriel was laughing and to Gimli this sounded like the merriest brook cascading through the most beautiful rocks.
"Oh, dear Gimli!" she cried. "It does my heart good to see you again!"
"My Lady," said Gimli, when he had found his voice, "please forgive me, but may I ask what you are doing here? It is not that I am not joyful to see you, but—" he sputtered.
"I have been sent back on an errand," Galadriel replied. "Let us walk. Tell me, is Legolas with you? I must speak with both him and you concerning a very serious, grave matter. It is why I have returned to Middle-earth."
Gimli nodded. "He is here," he stammered. "But he was near the East Gate when we left him. He will be returning to meet us here. I think we should wait for him, My Lady, since he will be on a horse, and will make quick time. Would you like your horse to be taken to the stables, or would you like to ride out to meet Legolas?"
"No, let us wait, Gimli," she replied.
Gimli asked Mene-mil to take Galadriel's horse to the stables, taking a closer look at the spirited animal. "Bless my boots!" he cried. "Is that not Gandalf's steed, Shadowfax?"
"It is, indeed," Galadriel laughed. "He was waiting for me at the Grey Havens, and has brought me here more quickly than any other horse could have done."
Mene-mil took the reins, but Galadriel stopped him as he made to leave.
"Who are you?" she asked. "I am sorry that I was too distracted earlier to ask you your name."
"It is Mene-mil," he replied, "of the root-people," and he bowed deeply. He gazed in wonder upon the tall, elegant Elf-woman standing before him.
"You shall have to tell me about yourself after you have housed my horse," she said, and Mene-mil went away smiling.
Gimli and Galadriel walked along the corridor. He told her how he and Legolas had almost been trapped by an ant lion, and of their discovery of the root-people and the Silmaril. While he was telling her the story, they saw Legolas approach.
"Lady Galadriel!" the Elf exclaimed, hopping lightly off the horse. "Are my eyes deceiving me, or is it really you?"
"It is good to see you again, Legolas," she said. "Gimli has just been telling me the fascinating story of the root-people, and how they found the Silmaril. It is because of that, in a way, that I am here. It is strange that some form of the evil that Morgoth wrought should bring us all together again. Can you take me to a more appropriate place where we can have a long talk? I have much to tell you."
They came presently to a comfortable chamber that was used to store dried goods and linens, and which was furnished with some crates that the root-people used for seating. Galadriel began her story by giving Legolas the message from Lindaril.
"She asked me to give you her apologies," said the Lady. She gave Legolas a curious look. "For whatever she has done to you, she is sorry. What she told me seemed heartfelt and sincere. I believe her to be a worthy person, Legolas, although she is troubled."
"I know what she is," Legolas replied. "I thank you for bringing me her message, though. May I enquire in return about Lord Celeborn?"
"He is well, although he and I have parted ways," Galadriel replied.
"Oh, have you?" Gimli enquired, suddenly interested in the conversation. "I am sorry to hear that," he added as an afterthought.
"We prefer to be free spirits," she continued, "and wander where we will without encumbrances. There is no ill will between us. Now, let me show you why I have come." She produced the Palantir from beneath her robes, and set it upon a table.
Legolas and Gimli stared at it with surprise. "A seeing-stone!" cried Gimli. "Why have you brought this here, My Lady?"
"It is so that we may communicate with Lord Manwë in Aman," she said. "Please keep its whereabouts a secret, both of you," she entreated. "It is of the utmost importance that no one else knows that it is here. You both know that the incorrect use of the Palantir can bring great ill to the one who does not know how to use it properly."
Gimli and Legolas both promised that they would not reveal its whereabouts, and Galadriel began her story. She explained that Morgoth had returned to Valinor in the way of threatening thought rather than form, and how the black cloud of his making hung over Aman. She told them that Valinor might be destroyed if a way could not be found to prevent it. She told them of the resurrection of Fëanor and the plan to have him formulate new jewels as a peace offering to Morgoth.
When Galadriel had finished, Legolas asked her, "How will Morgoth be presented with the seventy thousand Silmarils?"
Galadriel shook her head. "This I do not know," she replied.
"It seems to me that one cannot simply go up into the sky and hand them over," he said. He frowned and looked at her with a keen glance.
"The Valar do have a plan, Legolas. They must believe that Morgoth will go away as he has said he would do once he has the Silmarils in his possession, but how he is to be given them, I do not know."
"It does not make sense to me," said Legolas. His frown deepened.
Gimli chortled at his words.
"This is not a matter for any amusement, Gimli," reprimanded Galadriel.
Gimli blushed. "I was not meaning any disrespect to you or anyone else," he said. "I was merely laughing because Legolas appears befuddled."
"Have the two of you not made peace with each other in all this time?" asked Galadriel, looking annoyed. "You seem to spend most of your time together. To anyone watching it would seem as if you are great friends."
The Elf and Dwarf exchanged surprised glances. "We are great friends," said Legolas. "When we insult each other it helps us to relieve anxiety so that we can better deal with problems." He patted Gimli on the shoulder. "I take no offence at what he says, and he accepts my insults in return. This manner of dealing with stress works well for us."
"Very well," said Galadriel, looking somewhat appeased. "I am glad to hear it. To continue, however, I do believe that the Valar may have a plan of which they have not yet revealed anything, to me or to anyone else. However, they sent me here to retrieve the Silmaril which you found in Moria, and that task I am bound to carry to completion."
"How did they know of the jewel?" asked Legolas. "There is no communication between our two worlds any longer. How could it be known to them that the Silmaril was found? Does it possess other powers of which we are unaware?"
"Manwë was told of it by Aragorn," said Galadriel, "who has in his keeping the Palantir of Minas Tirith. Have you the jewel in Moria?"
"No. It rests in the vaults of Minas Tirith," said Legolas. He was strangely reassured by the news that Valinor and Middle-earth could communicate by way of the Palantirs.
Galadriel sighed. "Then I will have to journey to Minas Tirith to retrieve it, and from there I will take it back to the Grey Havens, and thus on the returning ship to Valinor. It will be bittersweet for me to see Arwen and Aragorn again. Bitter because I will have to leave them very soon, but sweet to have another visit, however brief it may be."
Legolas had been thinking as she spoke. "It seems to me," he said, "that it is a tremendous waste of time for you to travel first from here to Minas Tirith, then all the way back to the Grey Havens, only to take the Silmaril to Valinor so that Fëanor can use it to make more jewels. By the time all of that is done, he will have already completed his work on the other Silmaril, and will be waiting too long a time before you can bring our Silmaril to him. What if Morgoth decides to attack during that time, because he is tired of waiting? I have another idea. We could make new jewels here. If I can go quickly to bring our Silmaril back to Moria, the root-people can cut it. They are very fast workers, and can have the job done in no time. Then you will be able to transport the newly-made, smaller jewels back to Valinor, and much time will be saved."
Galadriel considered Legolas' words and then she said, "Lord Manwë has thought of that already, but I would not let you carry the jewel again after what has happened to you It was brave of you to offer, but I will ride to Minas Tirith on Shadowfax, who brought me here from the Grey Havens."
"I will worry for your safety, while you carry that accursed Silmaril," said Legolas.
"The Silmaril cannot hurt me," said Galadriel. "I am reborn Eldar, and immune to its curse."
Gimli remembered that he had wrapped the Silmaril in her cloak from Lothlorien and told her about it. "I believe that the grey cloak protects anyone who handles the jewel," he told her.
"Precious Gimli," said Galadriel, stooping to touch his shoulder. "How delightful that you have kept my special cloak after all this time. I am most touched."
"I would never have parted with it except under extreme circumstances," he said, blushing.
Before Galadriel made ready to leave for Minas Tirith, she prepared herself for a conversation with Manwë through the Palantir. He had asked her to keep regular contact with him so that he could instruct her if necessary, and had told her not to make any changes in plans without making him aware of them first. She wished to let him know that she would be leaving Moria for Minas Tirith. She looked into the Palantir's smooth surface and gazed into its depths.
Manwë was not responsive at first try. He had received further communication from Morgoth, and the new revelations had upset him greatly. He could not turn his attention away from the new horror that had reached him in order to respond to the Palantir's call. He had opened his mind again to receive the thoughts of Morgoth, but something which was not intended for Manwë to see revealed itself to him inadvertently. Manwë was much shaken by the new discovery, and he knew that he must not reveal to Galadriel that of which he was now aware, because it could upset all of the plans that he had intended to put into place.
He saw, within Morgoth's mind, in a reading of his thought, an awareness of the black hole that remained behind the black cloud. He did not understand exactly what it was, but he determined that it had great power, greater than anything he could control. Morgoth's treachery had been revealed. Manwë quickly summoned Olórin to him.
"My old friend," he told him. "I am afraid it has come to this. Against my own advice and wishes, I must ask you to do that which you had long ago offered. Valinor's hour of need has arrived."
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