1602

Durin would only on very special occasions leave Khazad-dûm. However, one of these had just occurred. Together with a large guard, he left his home through the old East Gate and walked along the cold waters of Kheled-zâram.

As the dwarves reached the column of Durin, a figure were standing ahead where the lake became a river and the forest started.

One of the dwarf raised his axe and approached the figure; "Who are you? And how do you dare stand in our way!"

"A friend of Durin, that want to speak with him;" Galadriel answered.

"The King of Khazad-dûm has no Elf-woman as friend;" the dwarf stated.

More dwarves came and stood next to the first; they all had their weapon raised.

A loud voice came from behind the dwarves; "He had once!"

The guard separated in two parts, in the middle Durin III appeared.

He walked up to Galadriel.

"Are you she, who met my forefather?" He asked.

"I am;" Galadriel answered.

Durin III stated; "I would like to extend the welcome of my forefather, a welcome that were not even given to the elf that is responsible for my journey, even though I consider him my fried too. However this will have to wait until my journey is finish."

Galadriel then said; "It cannot wait, as it is my intention to stop your journey!"

Durin looked at her, and his guard kept their weapons ready.

"I know why you leave with such a large guard and equipment for a very long journey. Please listen to me first. I am sure your distant cousins do not mind."

Durin thought for a while; then he ordered his guard to turn around.

Galadriel followed him into Khazad-dûm.

There she said to him; "be aware and alert. There are still things surrounding these creations we do not know about. I left Eregion because I would not participate in this. However, I intent to return to find out what is the unknown about these creations. Then I will advise you!"

Celeborn had travelled north towards the high pass, which had led the Eldar westward before the sun had risen the first time. He travelled close to the mountains away from the Great River.

He came to the only major river passing from the mountains between the high pass and Lorien. As always, Celeborn moved unnoticed among the trees to other beings. When he reached the river, he noticed a small man fishing on the other bank only a hundred feet away. Celeborn watched the little person and were puzzled over how he could live here alone on the eastside of the Mountains. He decided to introduce himself.

"Hello!" Celeborn said in the common language.

The man looked up in fear. Then he disappeared from sight. Celeborn was surprised; he started wading across the river.

As he approached the other side, he said; "I mean you no harm! I am Celeborn, an elf from Lorien."

The little man reappeared; "An elf!" he said.

Celeborn said; "I am surprised to see a human here, most people live closer to the Great River. Are you alone?"

The little man said; "Unfortunately it seems like it. I have been away for almost a hundred years and returned to find my people. But they have abandoned the place where I used to live."

Celeborn said; "A hundred years. That is a long journey, a lifespan for a Middle Earth man, yet you look young."

Celeborn handed the little man lembas bread. He eagerly took it and started to eat it.

"Where did your journey take you?" Celeborn continued.

He answered; "I was cheated by the Wizard. He abducted me to the south and kept me prisoned. He demanded I would help him with his creation. But I won, I stole his work, and he will never find me."

"What creation was this?" Celeborn asked.

The little man looked at Celeborn. "I have been fooled before;" he said.

"Fair!" said Celeborn. He walked a bit away from the little man.

When Celeborn was thirty feet away, the little man said; "This!"

He showed Celeborn his hand. In it was a ring.

"I have nine of these on me!"

Celeborn stood frozen.

"What was the name of your abductor?"

"He called himself Annatar!" the little man said.

Celeborn said; "Come with me, please. I will get you to safety and to protection under the Great King!"

Far away, covered in steel armor to protect him from the heat, Annatar worked on his last creation. It was almost finished and the world would never be the same.