Chapter 26: Deep deep down…

The mountain range was impressive, and yet different from what Maglor was used to. He had almost expected something akin to the mountains he had encountered in Beleriand, tall and grey and ragged but the Orocarni were more rolling and the rock was lighter in colour and also less even. But it was an impressive sight and Grindur did raise his arms in obvious pride. "Behold, the home of my clan, our stronghold in the east"

Maglor was glad they were there at last, the last leg of the journey had been a tough one and they had tried to travel as fast as possible. He had enjoyed the scenery but he did notice that the dwarf was very eager to get back to his people and Rog was also obviously eager but for a different reason. Maglor was astonished by the amount of rage the ellon still carried around, he wanted to murder something and it was pretty obvious. He hated everything the dark lord had touched with a vengeance and Maglor knew that Rog probably was one of the few who could hope to face up to a balrog and survive. It felt good having such a formidable warrior at his side.

The city of the dwarves was pretty well hidden, Maglor did remember the cities of old, they had been grand and the entrances were formidable and impressive, they didn't try to hide their presence there at all. The dwarves were after all a proud race, sure of their power and might and not ones to cower for anything. But here you couldn't even tell that there was a city there, the entrance was behind a massive door which did swing outwards and when it was closed you couldn't even see that it was there. It did look like a dead end, a narrow canyon which did end in a straight wall. The ingenuity needed to create something like that made Maglor blink a few times, the dwarves were indeed the children of Aüle.

Rog had sort of become a buddy of Grindur, his rough manners and rather brusque ways were quite similar to the behaviour of many dwarves and it seemed as if the dwarf found the tall noldo fascinating. They had left the empire and the capital within days of the dwarf's arrival and they had brought a lot of weapons and rode good horses but they didn't use a wagon and they tried to avoid people along the way. As they came closer to the mountains the settlements became fewer and further apart, and in the end they didn't see any traces of people at all. Grindur said it was because it was a very dry area, there wasn't any surface water there at all and the local people did believe that the mountains were inhabited by ghosts and demons.

Back in the first age Maglor knew that the dwarves had been trading with humans and the relationship between the races had been rather good but here the dwarves did avoid humans if they could and they didn't trade with them. There were hidden trading routes to the northwest and the dwarves who did travel used those.

The two elves were welcomed by a very proud looking king, he was Bestur son of Bradan and he was a very young ruler. His father had died just a few years earlier and it had been a mining accident. Bestur hadn't really prepared for the role he now did possess but he did a good job and his people had been thriving, until now that was. There was a score of counsellors and warriors there too, and some others of importance. Maglor did see that there even were a few dwarrowdams present and it did tell him that it was important indeed. Grindur did take off to meet his family and Bestur did escort the two to a section of the city where there were chambers made for guests. The rooms were luxurious and nice and Rog did sit down on the bed and smiled. "This city is very different from the ones in the west, did you notice the light?"

Maglor did nod. "Yes, this is more open, less gloomy in a way"

Rog smiled and pulled his boots off. "Indeed, much more appealing if you ask me. The cities in the west tend to be very boring when one thinks about architecture, just straight angles and no colours but this one is very different."

Maglor had noticed the oriental influence, the patterns on the walls and columns were swirling and elegant, the entire impression you got one of airy lightness. "They have a very different style yes"

Rog sighed. "I wonder if we can do anything to help, I feel that these dwarves have come up against something they cannot handle. If they had they wouldn't have asked for help"

Maglor just shrugged. "We will see, the king wants us to join him in a couple of hours"

Rog stared at the ceiling. "Yes, and that maia is here too, somewhere. I wonder what it is all about"

Maglor frowned. "What do you mean?"

Rog shrugged. "Sauron never does anything without a reason, there is something he wants, or someone. He wouldn't have sent his people to this place if it didn't mean anything special to him."

Maglor did sit down too, he did feel like a nap would be a good thing but he didn't want to enter a meeting feeling drowsy. "I see what you are at, could it be the fact that the two maiar are here?"

Rog just closed his eyes. "I guess we are about to find out, soon enough."

A young dwarf did enter carrying a tray with some food and drink, it was cured ham and meat and it did taste great. The beer was also very nice and they ate some before resting a bit. The city had a more vigorous vibe to it than other dwarven cities and they felt it as they went to the meeting. Another young dwarf did escort them and he did tell a lot about the place and its history. The city was very old and Maglor got the impression that the dwarves here had a very different culture than those he had gotten used to. The females did wear light veils and dresses which did leave their bellies bare and the fabrics and jewellery was often in sharp colours and very ornamental. The king and his closest men were waiting in a large hall, Maglor did see that there were maps on the table and it had to be maps of the city itself. It was probably extremely large and he knew why too, dwarves do dig and they don't stop. Over the millennia the city would just grow and grow.

Bestur did sit down and gestured towards an elderly dwarf who stood by the table. "Here we have my war general, Bragi, he is in charge of the defences here. I will let him explain what we are up against"

Bragi did bow his head, he had thick grey hair in elaborate braids and a beard which was surprisingly short for a dwarf but adorned with what could only be tiny rubies. He carried a massive axe on his back and did look like a hardened veteran. He did turn the map around. "We have sealed off the lower levels, it is from there they come ya see, bastards. We have lost many good men to them already, and we fear that the seals will break eventually"

Rog stared at the map, Maglor got the impression that he did understand what he was looking at way better than anybody could have guessed. "You are right, they will fail. If there are valaraukar down there those tunnels will be opened again"

Grindur was there and he did nod and smiled. "This one thinks like one of us, he sees the stone ya see"

The king did tilt his head. "Really?"

Rog sent the king a polite nod but his eyes were on fire. "I have been underground before, and it wasn't a pleasant experience but I did learn, a lot"

Bestur did look at the tall elf and there was a glimpse of respect within the deep eyes. "I see lad, you got out didn't you? Ah we have talked with others who were…guests of that certain someone, he got some of us too ya see. But we are too tough to break, the khazad are made from the bones of the earth and we don't snap."

Rog smiled. "I know"

Bestur took a deep breath. "Let me explain the entire mess to you, I do not doubt that Grindur here has done his best to explain everything but I have things to add to it."

He did step up to the table and made a grimace. "It began when the two maiar did arrive here, at first everything was fine, we did welcome them and they were obviously here to aid the free people against that darn bastard. But things did change"

Maglor took a deep breath. "Alatar did betray you?"

Bestur did nod and the others did mumble, Maglor heard some very inventive cusswords being uttered. "You can say that yes, we don't know how but suddenly there were monsters at the lower levels, even fire demons. And they were attacking, and that goddamn traitor did teach them all our hidden commands, the doors would open for them"

The warrior did grunt. "And that is why the lower levels are sealed off. But they will find another way inn, sooner or later"

Rog did frown. "Grindur said that Pallando is ill?"

Bestur nodded. "Yes, the healers don't know what to do, he is…very weak. It is the work of the traitor of course"

Rog did look intense. "What can make a maia fall ill?"

The dwarf king did spit on the floor. "Dark magic beyond any doubt"

Maglor tilted his head. "What made you realize that Alatar had gone rogue?"

Bestur made a grimace as if he had tasted something nasty. "He was too nice, too generous, offered to do too much. He did offer me some jewellery even, very nice work. Said it was from the hands of Aüle himself but you cannot fool me. I felt the foul stench clinging to those things, aye I did. You cannot trick the nose of a dwarf. They were the work of Sauron for sure"

Rog did stare at the maps, it was clear that he was thinking hard. "Do you have any other defences than just manpower?"

The king did chuckle. "Of course, we have nasty surprises waiting for them, and we have sent the womenfolk and the kiddies up to the top levels. They can escape from there but Mahal forbid that it comes to that"

Rog smiled. "I see, you are indeed bold warriors and you fight well. There must be a reason why Alatar brought those beasts to this place"

The king grunted. "Yes, we have thought about that too. The bastard doesn't do anything if he cannot gain something from it now does he? But we have no idea of what that might be"

Maglor tried to think. "Does Pallando have an idea?"

The king made a grimace. "I have no idea, he is so weak. Come, I will take you to him"

Maglor felt shocked but didn't reveal it, a maia so ill he couldn't even speak? That shouldn't be possible.

The king did walk into a narrow corridor and it went upwards at a gentle angle. They did pass by many exits and in the end they did enter a long straight corridor with a very high ceiling. There were many doors there and a smell of herbs in the air. It had to be their infirmary and Maglor was astonished by how clean it was there. Some dams wearing some very elegant and yet very decent looking white gowns did scurry by, they didn't even look at the two elves. They did enter a room with many lamps and a bed and some very old dwarves were standing by it, obviously examining the one on the bed. Rog did gasp and Maglor had to cover his mouth with his hand, the person on the bed did look terrible. It was like watching an emaciated human being, someone who had been starving for months. It did look as if this was an elderly man but both elves felt the truth, this was a very powerful being, now reduced to a mere shadow of his true self.

Rog walked slowly up to the bed and the man did see him, the head did turn slowly and the sunken eyes were distant and matted. And yet he was alive, at least for now. The noldo did sit down on a chair and Maglor did follow his example, he felt very insecure. "What has happened to you?"

Rog's voice was shaking with disbelief and the maia made a tiny movement. (I cannot speak, allow me to use Osanwë)

Rog and Maglor nodded and the maia did sigh slowly. (I have been poisoned, by my own brother. He has joined forces with …the fallen one.)

Maglor frowned. "Poisoned? How?"

Pallando did moan, the sound barely audible. (I don't know, we are not bound to the flesh the way other beings are, our bodies are mere suits. And yet he has bound me to this…prison of bones and meat…and I cannot use my powers anymore)

Rog stared at Maglor. "That is terrible, and we must find out how he did that"

Maglor nodded. "Do you have any idea of what Sauron is after? Why has Alatar brought you here? Why the monsters?"

The sick maia sighed again, he did look more or less dead. (I do not know, not really. But it was Alatar's idea to go here, to meet the dwarves and forge an alliance as he said. He was of course lying already then, he must have served Sauron all along)

Rog squinted. "Then it is this place, there is something here he do need or want"

Maglor turned to the dwarf king who waited respectfully by the door. "Your majesty, what do you and your kin know of the battles which have been fought in the west of late?"

Bestur did make a grimace. "We do know that the dark one was seemingly conquered by the last alliance, and that his ring was lost, due to that foolish human prince"

Rog stared at Maglor, his eyes were narrow. "He is disembodied, he cannot take form anymore. He is a mere spirit and as such he is almost powerless, he wants to become form again, to be able to have a body"

Maglor did wet his lips. "Why?"

Rog sneered. "Because he feels weak without flesh surrounding his spirit, because he loves to seduce and corrupt. He has a plan Maglor, we don't know what it is but I am sure it does involve his direct influence."

Maglor nodded. "You may be right"

Rog grinned. "I am right damn it, believe me. I know him. He is vain, he wants to prove to himself that he still is capable of ensnaring anybody anytime. It is just how he is."

Maglor took a deep breath. "You saw that while in Angband didn't you?"

Rog nodded sternly. "Often, he did take great joy in turning even the most faithful of servants against their old masters, he could truly fuck with your mind but doing that as a spirit is no challenge, no fun. There is no pleasure in something that is simple"

The maia did grunt. (You are right that there must be something here he is after, but what may that be? Alatar did poison me to hinder me, now I do need you to do my work, we have to find out what it is that Sauron wants from the dwarves here)

Bestur did shrug. "We will assist you in any possible manner thinkable, all our resources are yours to use"

The elves nodded, what could it be that the dark lord wanted? Rog did get up. "I fear that we may be chasing ghosts here, what he is after could be something yet unknown"

Bestur did look intense. "Listen, this city is very old, and we have always been good at keeping record with what we have done here, things found or bought, everything really. The secret could be hidden in our history somehow"

Rog smiled. "I am rather sure that it is your majesty, do you have a library?"

Bestur did grin, "Yes, a vast one, and my librarians are yours to command"

Maglor stared at Rog who did stare back, the strange eyes were almost glowing again. "We better get started then, and we do also need to see if there is a cure for Pallandos illness. We will need his powers if the spirit of Sauron indeed seek this place. "

Maglor could only agree, without Pallando's wisdom they were on thin ice here. Bestur did make a gesture. "Do follow me, I will take you to the library right away"

Rog smiled. "Good, the sooner the better"

The library was a shock, Maglor had never imagined that the dwarves were fond of literature or even that they did enjoy reading. But the library was enormous, he could only compare it with the royal library of Tirion and that wasn't even half full. This was, there were books and scrolls and rolls of velum everywhere and he did hope that they did have translators there for he couldn't read dwarven runes. Some of the tomes there did look ancient indeed. Rog did make an odd sort of squeal, his eyes were huge. "Oh Eru, how are we to find anything useful in here?"

Bestur smiled and nodded his head towards some dwarves who came walking towards them, in a very dignified fashion. Then the king turned and left since he was needed elsewhere. All four wore dark robes and little jewellery and they had the same hair cut and the same ornaments in their beards. They did look very wise indeed. They did bow their heads and the tallest of them did tilt his head. "We are at your service, what is it that you need?"

Rog did take a deep breath. "And we are at your service too, we need to find a cure for whatever ailment Pallando is suffering from."

The dwarf did frown. "Aye, we see. But it is most likely dark magic, and we have little knowledge of the way the maiar function, they are beings of spirit more than flesh after all, even more than you eldar"

Maglor did look at the endless rows of books and wondered what sort of wisdom this place did harbour, it would take hundreds of years to go through everything there. He bit his lower lip. "What if this is some sort of poison which does affect the soul, not the flesh?"

The dwarves did send him a glance filled with respect. "A good idea my lord, indeed, it has to be it. Otherwise he would be able to heal himself rather fast"

Rog did grin and he nodded and turned to the leader of the librarians. "Then we have narrowed it down a bit haven't we? It has to be some sort of strange and rare poison, probably mixed with foul magic"

The dwarves did chat in khuzdul for a few seconds, then they all ran in different directions and the dignified pace was gone like mist for the sun, now they did scurry around with remarkable speed. Before long a huge pile of books and tomes were placed on a massive stone table and Maglor stared at the heap and moaned, it was several hundred of them. Rog did blink and the dwarves did grin widely. "Do not worry, we can sort out the useless ones rather fast"

The leader did sit down and one and one book was delivered to him. Some he sent away, others he placed in a separate pile on the right and that pile didn't grow very fast at all. "Hmm, I think we have something to start with now, let me see"

He did grasp one of the books, it was extremely old and it did almost fall apart in his hands but he did touch each page with reverence and he was very careful and gentle. "This is the work of a very renowned healer among our first ancestors, he did write down much of his work."

Maglor could only wait, the runes were ancient and he did guess that not even all the dwarves did understand them anymore. Rog did look restless and started to help the dwarves return the books to their places. The leader did go through the first book without finding anything useful and then he attacked the next one with a determination akin to that of a warrior going into battle against an overwhelming enemy.

Maglor did start helping the dwarves too, just to be useful. Some of the books were extremely heavy and he did see that some were in fact chained to the shelves and had to be removed by using a key. One of the dwarves had a small coffin filled with keys and how they found the right one for each book was a mystery.

Several hours did pass, some dwarves came with refreshments and food and the librarians did not rest at all, they were like squirrels, seemingly everywhere at once. Maglor was getting really tired by now, the light down there was not very strong and the library did smell of something old and dusty and it made Rog sneeze more than once. He had spent the last hour discussing his hammer with one of the librarians, they were talking about the best manner in which to forge a good war hammer and it was obvious that the dwarf was an expert. Or at least he thought he was.

Maglor did contemplate sitting down in one of the large but apparently extremely uncomfortable chairs when the leader did make a sort of yelp, he was going through a sort of scroll with several layers and he had apparently found something interesting. His beard was almost vibrating and there was a fire in the deep eyes. "Look, here! This could be it!"

Everybody did gather and the leader held the scroll against the light. "I have no idea of where this came from originally but it does speak of magic, and of ways to subdue a spirit of power"

Rog was leaning forwards. "Does it mention maiar?"

The leader did shrug. "A spirit of power? It could be a maia couldn't it?"

Maglor was feeling a chill of nervous energy running down his spine. "Tell us, what does it say?"

The dwarf did raise his chin. "Let me see, the runes are almost gone but I can read this, the writer did use good ink, yes he did"

Rog did shut his mouth but his eyes did shine and Maglor did cross his finger. "Ah, there is a sort of fungus, it does bind the spirit to the flesh, and it is very toxic. Mixed with some herbs it does…"

He did roll out more of the velum and did read more. "It does remove all magic"

Rog did stare at Maglor. "That explains it, but how did Alatar know of it?"

Maglor frowned. "Who did he serve in Aman? What vala did he belong to?"

Rog grunted. "Alas I have no idea"

The dwarves did stare at each other. "I think he did serve the green lady, he was very interested in our medicine when he did arrive, we use herbs a lot ya see"

Rog did grin widely at the librarian, he did snap his fingers. "Great, that would be it. And Pallando is a servant of Tulkas I think, and way more powerful. Alatar would really need to subdue him to be able to do anything at all"

Maglor nodded and tried to think. "Is there a cure? Something we can do to counteract it?"

The dwarf who did the reading was skimming down the scroll with remarkable speed. "Ah, yes, there is a way to undo the damage. It says here- find the flower which blooms by the black lakes, mix it with the blood of the blue and red and stir with a copper spoon."

The two elves did stare at each other. "Ah…what?"

The dwarves did snicker. "Oh it isn't that cryptic, the black lakes are some strange lakes deep within the mountains, they are not made from water but some dark gooey liquid which stinks and the red and blue is a sort of mushroom. It is very rare though, and grows only in a few places. "

Maglor did frown. "Can it have any effect at all? It sounds doubtful to me"

The reader did grin, he had a gem inserted in one of his front teeth and it did glitter in the light. "Yes, it will work, believe me. We know that this mushroom has strange and mystic properties"

Rog had been listening and his face was a bit stern. "I suppose you do have some of it stored?"

The dwarves looked at each other, they faces did drop. "Ah, no. unfortunately, it has to be fresh to have any effect. If it is dried it becomes just…kindling? So, somebody has to go and get some, and some of the goo too"

Rog nodded, the glance in his eyes rather devilish. "Which means the lower levels right? Where the enemy is waiting"

The dwarves did look sheepish to say the least. "Y..yes, and even below those."

Rog nodded. "Perfect, is it far?"

The reader did scroll through another book, he did pull out a piece of velum and turned it around. "It is…a bit far yes"

Rog stared at the primitive map. "A little far?! Eru's breath, it will take days! Do we have that much time? And what about the mushrooms? Where do they grow?"

The dwarves did look at each other. "Uhm, there is a way,,,you can go past the place with the mushrooms on the way to the lakes but…it is dangerous"

Rog smiled, it was a very narrow smile. "More dangerous than the monsters Alatar did bring with him?"

The reader took a deep sigh. "Well, there is something down there…something…other. We have no idea of what it is but it must not be stirred. Many have disappeared down there. "

The two elves did stare at each other, eyes narrow and sharp. "Something..,other? Care to elaborate?"

The dwarves had what could only be described as nervous expressions on their bearded faces. "Nobody has seen it and lived, but we have found weapons and equipment thrown everywhere and the owners nowhere to be found"

Maglor tilted his head. "Alright, any signs of those weapons being used?"

The hairy heads did shake and Maglor sighed. "Right, an unknown enemy. Perfect. But we have to go, if we are to cure Pallando we have to do it now"

The reader had a sort of tired expression on his face, like he had a very limited amount of hope in their success. "Yes, I would say that you are in a hurry. The beasts do attack the doors and barricades rather often and sooner or later they will get through."

Rog turned around. "Very well, we need equipment, and we need a good map, preferably a guide."

One of the servants who had been standing by the door did bow deeply. "I will send a message for the king immediately, everything will be ready for you."

He turned around and ran off and the librarians did gather and after a while they did produce a rather crude map which did show the vast system of tunnels and passages under the city. Rog did scowl while looking at it but he did shrug. "Not worse than the tunnels under Angband for sure."

Maglor bit his lower lip. "You got out of the tunnels on your own?"

Rog smiled, his teeth were gleaming. "Yes, but it is a tale for another day"

They went back towards the great halls, one of the librarians did show them the way and there was some commotion as they entered the chamber where the king sat, receiving news and advice. There were many warriors there and most of them had seen battle recently, they were covered with dirt and blood and some were wounded. Bestur did see the two and his eyes were dark. "We have been attacked again, this time they came from a vent. How they got up there is anybody's guess. They are vertical and extremely slippery, just to avoid such filth from entering the city that way"

Rog did grunt. "What sort of attacker?"

One of the warriors did step forth. "Huge centipedes, not natural at all. They were reeking of dark magic. And they were darn hard to kill too"

Maglor did shudder, he hated such insects. "Any fatalities?"

Bestur sighed. "Three, good warriors in their prime. A great loss for our city."

Rog did look very intense. "Yes, a tragedy. It is obvious that he is getting more desperate, what in the name of Eru's breath is that bastard after?"

Bestur did shrug. "I wish I knew!"

There was a voice coming from one of the side doors, used by the servants. "I think I know…"

They turned around, it was a dwarf, a rather elderly chap with thick white beard and rather worn clothes. He had only one arm, the left one had to have been amputated right under the shoulder and he was scarred and looked like a warrior but that had to be a long time ago. A young dwarf stood behind him, a very short one who wore a long tunic and some torn pants and he was barefoot. Maglor could feel that something was off with him, there was something about the face which wasn't normal. Bestur got up. " Granin? What are you doing here? What do you mean?"

The old dwarf did bow politely. "I am sorry, we should have told you earlier but we didn't know. Bomar didn't understand…"

Everybody did stare at the two dwarves and the old one named Granin did step forth, very slowly. The younger one did whimper and followed, as if he was glued to the elderly one. Bestur did send Maglor a swift smile, filled with confusion. "Granin is one of our best miners, or he was until he had an accident. Bomar is his grandson, he is born…different"

Maglor saw that clearly now, the young dwarf had an expression in his eyes which was like that of an animal, it was very innocent and yet very nervous. Granin walked forth, reached the table and placed something on it, it was wrapped in cloth and the dwarves did gather around, Bestur did look very curious. Maglor could feel something coming from that bundle, a sort of force and Rog was moving his lips as if he was talking but he didn't really say anything out loud. "Bomar is fond of digging, he walks off when nobody is watching and just digs. He found this in the wall behind the …privies. He had taken my pickaxe and had a go at the rock and this was what he found."

The old dwarf did unwrap the cloth with reverence and they all gasped. What was revealed was a jewel, but it wasn't like any one Maglor had ever seen. It did glow, and yet it was dark, and the shape was rough and uncut and still it held an infernal light, it felt as if it was so heavy everything in the room did feel as if it was drawn towards it and at the same time it was repulsive, in spite of its beauty. Rog gaped and the dwarves did retreat away from the gem, a very odd reaction for a dwarf. Bestur was pale. "What in Mahal's name is that thing?"

Rog swore and walked over, he did touch it and Maglor did wince when he did, half ways expecting something terrible to happen, but nothing did. "This is what Sauron wants, this is what he need to restore himself. "

Bestur did wet his lips. "Sure?"

Rog did sneer, he stared at the gem with very dark eyes and there was an almost malevolent expression on the beautiful face. "Yes, when did Bomar find this thing?"

Granir did look down. "Some months ago, he has kept it hidden from us, until today. His mother did find it under his bed when she was cleaning"

Bestur stared at the young dwarf. "Why did you hide this young one?"

Bomar made some wheezing sounds. "Pretty…mine. Sings"

Bestur frowned. "Sings?!"

Maglor took a deep breath. "It has its own song, it is something extremely ancient I guess, from when Eru and the valar sang Ea into existence. I bet it contains a wee bit of what Melkor tried to create when he did interfere with the great theme."

Bestur did back away from the gem again. "Then it is evil"

Maglor did nod but Rog shrugged. "It has potential for evil, as well as for good, it depends on who's wielding it. But it is powerful, I guess more than enough to restore Sauron to his full power!"

Bestur sighed. "Alatar did sense it didn't he? He felt its presence and that is why he came here"

Rog did grunt again. "Maybe, it is more likely that the spirit of Sauron did guide him, but we have to make sure that this thing never falls into the hands of the dark one, ever!"

One of the dwarves did raise his hand. "The forges are hot, and I am sure we can melt it"

Maglor shook his head. "No, you cannot. I think this is almost like the gems my father created, they were indestructible"

Bestur did look a bit scared. "So what do we do then?"

Rog had a peculiar look upon his face. "They are after the gem, that is for sure. They can feel it is here, their master is urging them on. What if the gem isn't here anymore?"

Bestur was obviously confused. "What do you mean?"

Rog wrapped the cloth around the gem again, everybody did breathe a huge sigh of relief, it hurt just looking at the thing. "We take it with us, we still need to heal Pallando and if it is down there the attackers will follow us, not attack the city"

Bestur frowned. "You are insane!"

Rog chuckled. "So they say. But think about it, there are thousands of tunnels down there, narrow and winding and probably also bottomless gaps. We are just two, maybe three if there is someone mad enough to follow us and we can keep them at bay I am sure. At least they won't attack the city again"

Bestur did hesitate, his eyes were huge and round. One of the warriors did step forth. "It is a good idea, leading the enemy away from our stronghold. We need to reinforce the barricades at the lower levels, they will get through soon. This will buy us time if nothing else"

Bestur took a deep breath. "Alright, fine. I accept this. But it is still madness. "

Maglor looked at Rog. "And if they do catch us and get the gem?"

Rog smiled, his eyes were very dark. "They won't. Believe me, I have a plan"

Maglor did shake his head. "You better have for this is indeed madness but fine, sometimes madness is what is needed I guess"

Bestur raised his arms. "Somebody must join them and show them the way, anybody who is brave enough?!"

There was a moment of silence, the dwarves did stare at each other, rather nervously. Then someone did step forth, and Maglor did raise an eyebrow in mild confusion. The dwarf was dressed in what could only be described as a sort of dress, it was made from black leather and had lots of chains and metal objects attached to it. It did look very odd indeed and the dwarf himself was even odder. He was rather tall, and wiry and the face was covered with scars, most seemed to be tiny burns and his hair and beard was partly singed and couldn't have been in contact with a comb for ages. He did look like a madman and there was a glimpse in his eyes which told the two elves that yes, not all the nuts and bolts in this one's head was screwed in the right way. Bestur did almost lose his expression of royal dignity. "Fjalir? What are you…"

Fjalir did grin, he was lacking most of his teeth and the insane glimpse in his eyes got stronger. "I know the way, I can take them there. I know the great deep, I know what awaits us"

Bestur did scoff. "You are insane and everybody knows it. How can you say you know the way? You are rarely outside of your own rooms!"

Fjalir did fart, the sound was surprisingly loud and several of the other dwarves did jump, it startled them. "The insane sees what the sane cannot imagine, oh I have travelled along the roots of these mountains for a very long time, the soul can go where the flesh cannot"

The king just blinked and Rog tilted his head, the eyes did almost glow. "We accept the offer, he may be our guide"

Maglor felt shocked. "Why? He is…not right in the head"

Rog smiled. "Neither am I remember? And he knows something, I have seen his talent before"

Maglor frowned. "Talent? What talent? What are you talking about?"

Rog went over and took Fjalir's hand. "Something few can do, but it saved many back in the days. Yes, he is our guide"

Fjalir did giggle, the dress did make jingling sounds and Maglor wondered what the point was with it. It wasn't pretty and it did look heavy if anything. Bestur sighed. "Suit yourselves. But the path to take is not gonna be a pleasant one, the way to get past the monsters and into the very bowels of these mountains is not for the faint of heart"

Rog did look almost snakelike for a moment. "Do not worry, nothing beats the hospitality of my former host. I have seen it all"

Fjalir did snicker. "You haven't seen this, I bet it, I bet it"

Rog turned around. "We will arm up, prepare and then we will meet here in half an hour, we cannot afford to wait any longer. "

Bestur nodded slowly. "Yes, I see. Pallando does need your help if he is to ward off Alatar. But do return in one piece, and keep Fjalir safe? He is…rather special"

Rog just nodded his head and Maglor followed him. They returned to their room and Rog started to change his clothes right away. He got into his combat gear, most was heavy leather but some was also pieces of armour and he did attach a long slender sword across his back and some daggers to his thighs but he did also carry two war hammers. Both were terrible weapons on their own and in his hands they became even more so. He did pet them. "I wish I could have gotten my old ones, the ones I had forged in Gondolin, but that is impossible. They have rusted away at the bottom of the sea for a very long time. At least these two are forged by dwarves."

Maglor did carry his sword and he did also arm himself with daggers and a heavy knife. Bows and crossbows would be useless down there in the dark. They did get a huge packet with food each and Maglor did carry the provisions, he didn't mind at all. Fjalir was waiting for them at the hall, he had changed too. The dress was gone but now he wore an even worse creation fashion wise. A sort of trouser skirt with an overly long tunic on top and this too was made from dark leather with lots of strange details. Maglor had never seen anything that puzzling ever, what was this dwarf really? Mad? Confused? Or simply above and beyond the understanding of ordinary folks?

Bestur was busy coordinating their defences and thus he couldn't bid them goodbye but a couple of the warriors including Grindur did follow them as they did walk through the city towards the path leading to the bottom. Fjalir was humming to himself and he carried a huge backpack. Only Mahal himself knew what it did contain. They walked past the kitchens and then the tunnel they did follow changed a lot. The walls became rough and raw and the sconces were more primitive, the light very weak. Fjalir did giggle. "I have a remedy for that."

The tunnel ended, in what seemed to be a dead end. The warriors did seem ill at ease but Fjalir did snicker again and walked forth. A piece of stiff leather was left on the ground and he did lift it. Underneath was a hole, it wasn't large, and it was very round and a strange stench did raise from it. Maglor did swallow. "You have gotta be kidding me!"

Fjalir did laugh, it did sound a bit hysterical. "They dumped the garbage from the kitchens down here for many a long year, until there was an invasion of rats. Someone brave did go down and discovered that this leads all the way down to below the city. Nobody has dug this passage, it is natural"

Rog stared at it, eyes narrow. "I see, it is like the garbage shoot of Angband, some escaped that way"

Maglor did force himself not to retch, the smell was ghastly. "Did you? Escape through the garbage shoot?"

The tall noldo did shake his head. "No, I killed some guards and found a tunnel leading to the outside."

The warriors looked a bit nauseous. Grindur did smile, he was pale. "Good luck, get that mushroom and the flower from the black water, and get back up here. We will pray for your success."

Rog smiled and shook their hands. "We will be okay, don't worry"

Maglor stared at the hole, it went down almost vertically and Fjalir did reach into a crack in the wall and hauled out three pieces of what could only be described as untanned leather. It was rather stiff and thick. "We will use these as protection. It is a very bumpy ride"

Maglor felt a need to roll his eyes. "You are not kidding me I am sure. How are we to see anything at all?"

Fjalir did giggle again and reached into his backpack. He got a jar of some sorts and opened it. It contained a sort of liquid and it did glow, a strong greenish light which did look rather unnatural. "My own invention, a streak of ingenious creativity"

Grindur did make an apologetic grimace. "He likes to think of himself as an alchemist"

Fjalir scoffed. "I AM an alchemist thank you very much, I have discovered the secrets of creation"

He did smear the ointment onto his own clothes and then the two elves had to kneel down and let him do the same to them. Before long they were glowing like wraiths and the sight was hilarious but also disturbing. He got the jar back into the backpack, grabbed one of the sheets of leather and winked. "Alright, this fits me better than you but if you keep those ridiculously long legs straight and your shoulders as narrow as possible you should fit, I think"

Maglor sighed and Rog rolled his eyes. "You think"

Fjalir did walk over to the hole, he did look excited and sat down on the leather. "Hold onto your braids guys, this is gonna be fun"

Rog grunted. "Define fun to me please, I cannot see the attraction in this"

Maglor had to grin. "Me neither"

The other dwarves did step aside and the elves got a sheet of leather each and sat down, awkwardly. Fjalir did grin from one ear to the other, then he tipped forwards and disappeared down the hole with a shriek. Rog rolled his eyes and followed and then Maglor swallowed his disgust and did the same. He hadn't expected what happened though. The narrow hole was slick, very slick indeed and the underside of the leather was smooth, the speed was insane and he did cling to the leather and tried not to scream. Just how far down are we going? The thought did cross his mind before he had to lay down backwards. The tunnel was very tiny and he got claustrophobic and fought his panic with all his might. He hadn't survived all he had been through to die inside of a mountain, no way.

The slide ride from hell did last for what felt like an eternity, the tunnel did swing and turn and a few times Maglor was bloody sure he was upside down and here and there he did hit areas which were uneven and he was rather sure he would be black and blue. He heard the others in front of him, Fjalir whooped and laughed and Rog was quiet except from moans when he hit something. Maglor started to fear that there was no end to this, then suddenly the tunnel did widen and a faint light did appear. Fjalir yelled. "Brace yourselves!"

Maglor cussed and saw that the tunnel ended abruptly, the dwarf and Rog disappeared and he held back a shriek as he too suddenly was airborne. There was a lake down there, and they flew like ragdolls and Maglor had the sense to drop the sheet and aim his body towards the surface. They all hit with mighty splashes and he felt that the water was very deep. Luckily he was a good swimmer. Rog too swam towards the shore and Fjalir was doggy paddling along side, spitting and wheezing. The light came from the ceiling, a thick layer of glowing moss covered it and Fjalir got up on the shore and spat. "Hurry, get out of the water, there are things in it"

Rog shook water from his braid, the water did stink too and was greasy and very cold. "Things?"

The dwarf nodded. "We spoiled them ya see, by feeding them for years. "

Maglor growled. "I recon you aren't referring to gold fish"

Fjalir made a nervous laughter. "No, more like sharks, with legs. Come on, come on. Let us go, we need to go."

Maglor heard a splash and turned around. He managed to catch a glimpse of something pale and huge, slowly gliding through the water. It did remind him of a whale he once had seen, but the odd colour and the texture which did remind him of old cheese told him that this was no peaceful ocean dweller for sure. Fjalir did grin. "Welcome to the underworld. Follow me, I will find the way, where nobody else can"

Maglor kept his thoughts to himself, he wasn't so sure that the deranged dwarf was a wise choice of guide after all but Rog seemed to trust him so be it. He just hoped that this journey wouldn't lead them into damnation.