CHAPTER: 7 THE SACRED CAVERN

The troop proceeded out of this place of death to a quieter and more proper area in which to set up camp. The tents were erected for the wounded to be treated as well as a refuge for those who wished to rest.

There was no rest for Eldacar and his Captains who crowded into one large tent placed in the center of the camp. “No telling how many of these ragged groups of SauronÂ’s allies are ranging these areas. I have a feeling we will be coming upon them on a regular basis, or vice versa,” commented the commander.

Grimly the others agreed with him. As they were discussing their strategies another entered the command tent. Milanthir, the Elven Ranger of the Peace Keepers had returned from Mithril Castle with news. Everyone quieted to hear his tidings. Three had come with him, a Dwarf of regal bearing, and two Elven warriors, one bearing a longsword and another who had a bow slung over his shoulder.

“I come with news of Gondor. It seems that Sauron is planning to attack and destroy the fair city of the Tower of Ecthelion. The time is not yet known, but the plans are being made in the evil Barad-dur, as we speak. Osgiliath is even more in ruins than it was before. Our spies have heard that this is the way they plan to attack using the River Anduin as part of SauronÂ’s strategy to overcome Minas Tirith.” With this he turned and motioned the new warriors to his side. “This is Maur Narag, one of our most honored warriors,” he said as he put his hand on the shoulders of the doughty Dwarf, and then laid both hands on the two Elves. These two are also warriors of longstanding and loyal to our company, Elindir raised by the Wood Elves of Rivendell, and very handy with that sword I might add, and Isal who is quite talented with his bow. They are afoot and have no mounts but will be very handy not only with the foot troops, but also with their keen eyesight.”

A long-bearded Dwarf dressed in chain mail over leather jerkin, carrying a very large axe, his head topped with a blue helm, with a large spike adorning the top nodded his head in recognition. “Aye, IÂ’ve come to aid this group,” and as he stepped back the Dwarf, Kelim Naugrim, pushed his way though the crowd to greet him.

The two Elves also nodded in acknowledgment before turning and leaving the tent.

As these meetings were going on Aiya was sleeping in a tent provided for she and the two Ladies of the Mithril Knights. Her sleep was a restless one. As the nights had passed she had experienced more and more visions, not only in the flames and embers of campfires, but also in her dreams. Now, flashes of hordes of marching troops, huge beasts of burden and horrible flying creatures filled her sleeping mind. The crystal was in her hand, but it was not only glowing now, but had some type of Elvish writing on it. She was unable to read it. At that moment she was awakened by voices just outside. The Ladies had returned and were entering the tent.

Aiya arose and faced the two. “You asked me to tell you of my visions. Now I have just awoken from one.” Continuing, she explained what she had seen in her dream. Particularly included was the unknown writing on the crystal. “I have never seen this writing when it glowed before. I will try to write it down for you, as I know not what it means,” and gathering pen and a small bit of script from her kit she wrote what she was able to remember.

“This is also unknown to me,” admitted Lindorie as she handed it to Lady Kaeglin who inspected it closely.

“I have no idea of what it says, myself,” added the Mithril Knight Shieldmaiden handing it back to Aiya. “But, I know someone who just might. Her name is Elvaethwen of the Elves. She is a talented linguist who has studied all of the ancient languages. I will send a message to the Arda Messenger, Amalua Aleanrae. She can, perhaps, find the information we need to translate these symbols you are seeing in the crystal, and then bring it to us.” This was arranged hastily with the messenger sent out to Lothlorien as quickly as possible.

Aiya then walked to the center of the camp where many of the Knights and warriors gathered in the early hours after their assigned duties for the morning had been finished. Rough tables had been constructed to allow them to sit when they wished and Aiya took advantage of this. She was well enough after her wound to ride, but still had her weakened moments. She had been told that this would occur for years. The Nazgul winged monster carried a potent poison in its fangs and talons.

Sitting with her mind full of thoughts a familiar shape sat down beside her.

“My Lady, how are you feeling this fair morning?” questioned Raydon, Knight of Anadune.

“I feel quite well, Sir,” replied the seer, avoiding the truth, just a little. She chafed under the thought that she was unable to shake this wound as completely as she wished.

Lady Kaeglin also joined them. The Mithril Shieldmaid was dressed ready for battle, as she always was, but relaxed at this moment and ready for comradeship as she sat herself on the other side of Aiya. The three visited for a few minutes before the duties of Raydon took him elsewhere, to the disappointment of Aiya.

“You look rather distressed, Aiya,” Kaeglin said with a wry smile.

“Does it show that much?” retorted the seer, disgusted that she wore her feelings on her sleeve so easily. She would have to be more careful in future contacts. After all, her duties were to the troop. There was no time for thisÂ… other. But unable to stop herself she turned to Kaeglin with a questioning glance. “Do you happen to know anything about this Knight, Kaeglin?”

With a knowing smile the Shieldmaid nodded slowly. “I know very little, Aiya, but I have heard that he is the Marshall of a group called the Rangers of Anadune. And IÂ’ve noticed a very unusual ring that he wears on his right ring finger. I wondered if he has an intended back in Minas Tirith,” and her voice trailed off as if hinting that one should be careful. “I do know that his broadsword wears the name, Dragonslayer,” she added.

Aiya thanked her for her information, thinking to herself that the Knight probably was just sympathetic to her wounded condition. This thought bothered her some. The last thing she needed was sympathy!

The Hobbit, Folcar walked over to her with an odd look on his face. “May I speak with you?”

“Of course,” Aiya stated with a smile. “What is it? You look troubled.”

“Well, I amÂ… sort of. I think I saw someone sneaking out of the camp the other night. They thought no one was watching, but itÂ’s easy to miss meÂ… IÂ’m sort of small.”

“Yes, IÂ’ve noticed that,” laughed the seer. “IÂ’ll take you to one of the warriors and you can tell what you saw.” Seeing Celdirion talking to Raydon she walked that way with the small Hobbit in tow. As she neared she hailed them and turned Folcar over to the Knights to tell his story, then turned and walked away hurriedly. She didnÂ’t wish to have Raydon see her face, just in case it gave away any feelings she might have. This also prevented her from seeing the soft gleam that showed in his gray eyes as he looked after her.

Folcar told the warriors of what he saw and they, in turn, went immediately to Eldacar. A full council was quickly convened to discuss this.

“Boragorn warned of this danger, I believe,” Darhil of Anfalas reminded the group, and all nodded. They had heard either directly or through word of mouth that a spy might be lurking in their midst and everyone was firmly decided to keep careful watch.

At the dinner hour the horns of the sentinels stationed in the east blew several warning blasts signaling approaching strangers. An armed group arrived soon after and asked to join with the ever-growing group of the free Middle Earth peoples. They were Elves of noble bearing, all uniformed in long, gray-hooded cloaks. Their leader informed Eldacar, that they were from the House of Moriquendi and had come to render what aid they could.

A member of their High Council, Daeron, a very elderly Elven citizen even by Sindarin standards led them, although he was not one that showed his age on his face. With him also were Quenore, a very wise loremaster, and Morthoron, another who had seen the dawn of the Elves in the east before the Light.

Daeron slowly dismounted, uncovered his hooded head and dipped his head to acknowledge the group, who were staring in astonishment. They had never before seen these Grey-mantled Elves though many had heard tales about these wisest of all in Middle Earth.

“I have come with tidings from a kinswoman of mine, Amalua Aleanrae. She bade me to tell you that she will be arriving soon with a message for the Lady Aiya.” He said this as his eyes were exploring the crowded camp. “Is the Lady nearby? I, also would like to counsel her if she will allow.”

Eldacar looked at him with a puzzled stare. “Please donÂ’t be insulted by this question, Sir, but how did you come by the knowledge of my cousin Aiya?”

Daeron patiently smiled. “The Moriquendi have knowledge of many things of Middle Earth,” and he left his answer at that, offering no more explanation to the question.

Aiya had heard the signal horns and was on her way to where the Moriquendi had gathered. She hurriedly shouldered her way through the crowd that had formed around these grey-clad Elves and had heard the statement made by Daeron.

“I am here, Sir. What counsel would you give?”

The somber leader of this group nodded to her and bade her find a place where they might speak away from the crowd. This was accomplished immediately. The counseling of Aiya included both Quenore as well as Daeron.

The Grey-Elf lowered his voice and spoke to her about the crystal that she had inherited from her mother, but asked that she keep this conversation to herself for the time being.

“I have reason to believe that your crystal will be very important once we reach the Stone of Erech,” he added in a serious voice. “To have any threat of what I have told you given to our enemies, and especially the Dark Lord, The Deceiver, would bode ill for all in Middle Earth. Amalua Aleanrae will be here anon and will add even more information to what I have told you.”

Quenore agreed with a solemn nod.

Being told this in such solemn and serious consequences sent chills up the seerÂ’s spine. After the Moriquendi had left her she pondered at these circumstances which seemed to have been inherited by her, but hoped that the messenger from Lothlorien might shed more light.

As she walked from her tent towards the main headquarters, she felt the many questioning eyes which glanced her way, but no one approached her with any which made her feel a little more comfortable. She really would rather not be the focus of attention. The most important thing to her was the freedom they all wished and fought for.

Disencamped at dawn the fighting force now headed southeast, nearing the Ered Nimrais, the White Mountains. Erech was located in western Gondor within this mountain chain and very near the river Morthond. This was the Elven name. Men called it the River Black Root.

The path became rough and narrow as the mountains were reached, but just before entering this, the Messenger of Arda had appeared. With her were not one, but two people.

“I have come with two, who might aid in the translation of the signs on this crystal that AiyaCalime carries,” she informed Eldacar. She and her two companions were then presented to Aiya who had rode forward from the troop to greet them.

Amalua then introduced the two. “This is Elvaethwen of Lorien and Aluine, a Moriquendi who was a Rohirrim Shieldmaid, but has great talent in the ancient languages of Middle Earth. It was thought that both might be of some help in this type of language which seems to be a mystery to all.”

Through the journey that continued the group of seers, linguists, and loremaster began to meet at every chance to discuss this crystal. Quenore, Elvaethwen, Aluine, and Aiya huddled in a group most of the time, either when in an encampment or on the path.

Elvaethwen and Aluin finally thought they had translated the crystal orb to the satisfaction of Quenore. When this was finished he made an astonishing statement. It shocked everyone.

“I believe that your crystal, Aiya, is an original remnant of those brought to Middle Earth in the first ages of this continent! I truly think they are a piece of the Lamps of Valar made by Aule in the Beginning Days. They were put on two pillars, one in the North called Illuin, and the other in the south called Ormal. Morgoth came to destroy these. How a remnant came into your familyÂ’s possession, I do not know, but here it is.”

Aiya was stunned, to say the least. “My familyÂ’s history does mention that they came to Middle Earth with those who fled at the Downfall of Numenor. But, they never mentioned how they came into possession of the crystal. I just thought it was a keepsake of my mother’s.”

Aluin was looking at the stone while writing something down, and mumbling to herself. “I can make out some of the writing, but it is not all here. This must just be a piece of a larger stone. ‘AreÂ’Â… that means sunlight in the ancient Quenya language. I think this is written in the most ancient of the Quenya tongue. Hmm, ‘telpeÂ’, that means ‘like silverÂ’ or ‘looks like silverÂ’ but it doesnÂ’t mean silver its self. ThereÂ’s a ‘feaÂ’, that would be a reference to Feanor, I would guess.”

Elvaethwen broke in, “I see ‘ondoÂ’, that means ‘stoneÂ’ in ancient Quenya, and ‘mireÂ’, ‘jewelÂ’!”

Excited now Aluin added, “I see ‘eleÂ’ that could be either ‘starÂ’ or ‘behold,Â’ they mean both in Quenya tongue.”

“And there is ‘ened ndorÂ’”, pointed out Elvaethwen, “which is Endor the Quenya word for Middle Earth, and ‘formenÂ’ which is ‘northÂ’!”

They called for Quenore and Daeron to join them in the tent. As they entered and the flap closed they excitedly told him of their translations. Although not the whole of a message or title, it seemed to be enough to back up the theory of Daeron. “This must have been a remnant of the original Lights of Varda created by Feanor. They had been stolen and destroyed by his enemy, Melkor that he had named ‘Morgoth,Â’ ‘The Black EnemyÂ’. If the word ‘formenÂ’ is correct, it would have been the light that was placed in the north on its pillar,” Daeron whispered in an awed tone. Even he could not believe his ears and eyes.

Aiya was overcome by this information. She just could not take this all in at one time! Her ancestors had somehow retrieved a piece of the Sacred Lights of Varda after they had been destroyed? How could this be?

Daeron noticed the shocked awe, which filled her face and realized what she must be thinking. “No one will ever know how it came into the possession of your family, but it did and here it is. Now we will have to find what importance it has associated with the Stone of Erech, for this is its own instruction to you was it not?”

Silently Aiya nodded an assent to the question put to her. She had heard it with her own ears. She was to go to the Stone of Erech with the crystal. What else she must do had not been told to her as yet.

Daeron sat for a moment before he spoke again. Then, turning to Aiya he softly told her, “There are many dangers that lay ahead of you, I fear. I have heard from the old tales that the mountains around Erech are haunted with those who were cursed by the King Isildur. I have also heard that there is a creature about in those caverns below that guard the place jealously. If my information is correct, it may be a Balrog. There were a few who survived into this age. It could be Gothmog, himself, the Lord of the Balrogs, if this is a very sacred place to guard, although I would think he might have been destroyed ages ago.”

“I have not heard of this type of creature, Sir. I hope I am up to whatever I am asked to do.”

Daeron smiled wearily. “We can only do what we are able and hope it is for the best.”

Outside in the camp the Commander and his Captains were still discussing the news which the Hobbit, Folcar had brought them. He had seen some sort of spy leave the camp earlier. There was no telling who it was, with all the additions which had joined this group, or how many times this spy had plied his trade. They just knew they couldnÂ’t afford anymore interruptions before arriving at Erech. It was dangerous enough with its whispers of haunting and its crooked, high cliffs. The path ran in what looked like an ancient riverbed and was quite narrow most of the time. A perfect place, it was realized, for an ambush as the company pushed on.

Raydon had noticed AiyaÂ’s flushed and worried look when she came out of the tent last evening. He had even thought that she had looked rather terrified for a few moments before squaring her shoulders and walking to the fire to sit down. Now, he made a point of staying close as possible to the maid with his sword Dragonslayer at the ready just in case. He had experienced the horror and heartbreak of losing his first love, Mairead, at the hands of the evil Orcs. He was not going to let this happen again upon his honor as a Ranger of Anadune, although he felt that the seer had made an effort to avoid him after their last conversation. He had already sworn to himself that he would change this if at all possibleÂ… when the time was right.

The troop was nearing the River Morthond and the Blackroot Vale. The people of this valley were known for being excellent archers and Eldacar did not wish to surprise them with this company. He sent scouts to announce them before they arrive. One returned to tell the commander that the Lord of the Vale, Duinhir welcomed them.

After crossing the Morthond they encamped just outside this township. The Lord and his two sons, Duilin and Derufin walked out to greet them from their village gate. They were offered refreshment while being told that the company was headed toward the Stone of Erech on an important quest, although not all of the information was divulged. In fact, most of the discoveries made by the Moriquendi had not left those discoverers, other than Aiya.

The thought of traveling to the Stone was enough to worry the Lord of the Vale. He warned them vigorously of the dangers, and the haunting of the area by the Hosts of the Dead.

“We are aware of the dangers, Sir, and appreciate your warnings, but this is a quest from which we cannot turn away. It has been told to us that this is important to the very freedom of Middle Earth.”

The commander was informed by the Lord and his sons that there was little danger, if any, of enemies this far west or for that matter in this Vale. At least any that were alive, Duinhir added grimly.

Most of the company of troops remained in camp. Eldacar, Daeron, Quenore, Darhil, Celdirion, and Raydon accompanied Aiya, the Mithril Knights Lady Kaeglin and Lindorie Ainariel and the linguist Aluin to what the people of the Blackroot Vale called Dwimorberg, the Haunted Mountain.

It was a difficult climb and all had to stop for rests several times along the way. At a plateau-like outcrop they had just halted when a rumbling sound began. Rocks fell from further atop the mountain causing a small avalanche of stones. When it ended, there in front of them stood an opening that had not been there before. Around the opening was a strange sort of writing that Aluin and Aiya recognized as similar to that which the crystal had shown.

Aluin immediately read it. “ItÂ’s ancient Quenya, and reads “Enter, all those who dare.”

Aiya knew what she had to do. “IÂ’ll go. Everyone else can stay here. I wonÂ’t be responsible for others getting hurt.”

“Oh no you wonÂ’t,” declared Eldacar, and the others agreed with him in loud voices.

Slowly they entered the dark void in front of them. It smelled of mold, wet soil, and dead things. Shivers went up AiyaÂ’s back and the hair stood out on her neck. She had never been this frightened in her life!

“This isnÂ’t the Stone of Erech,” she protested as she turned to Daeron. “What has this to do with my crystal?”

“I cannot answer your question, my Lady,” returned Daeron. “I can only think that if this was not part of your quest, and part of what the crystal had in mind it would not have presented itself.”

As they proceeded into the mountain Aiya had slipped the crystal out of her pocket to provide some light by which to travel these narrow tunnels. It now took on a different glowing hue than what she had seen before. It was a brilliant blue-white and began to throb in her hand. A voice came to her saying, “Deposit the Stone that is in thy hand in its sacred place.” She looked around in the wide space, which they had entered and saw a square carved into the stone wall opposite where she stood. Walking over she laid the crystal in this small niche and backed away. As she did this she heard a horrible roar.

“A Balrog,” whispered Daeron. “We must leave this place immediately or it will be the end of all of us! Run all of you! You too Aiya. Let us get out as fast as possible!”

The warriors drew their swords, but realized they would be no match for a creature of this size made of fire and molten materials. Yet they were ready to fight if needs be. Raydon remained close to Aiya, although she was so distracted she did not notice.

With that warning they all turned and made their way out of the cavern, through the dark passageways and into the sunlight once more. Behind them they had heard the sounds of this monster, as it seemed to pursue them, but as they came out of the tunnel and into the light the opening disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. There was now just a cliff with a mossy overhang in front of them.

“There is some purpose for your crystal, Aiya,” comforted Daeron as he could see she was gazing sadly at the place where the opening had been. “We just havenÂ’t the knowledge of what it might mean to the future of Middle Earth at this time.”

The group made their way back to their camp for the night and readied themselves to leave at daybreak.

Aiya fell asleep after a restless beginning. In her dreams she saw the same visions she had seen before. The battles, monsters, flying creatures, Minas Tirith and its White Tower, but something new appeared. A handsome king now stood on the steps of the Tower. This seemed to be mixed with strange young people whom she did not know. They were digging something on a mound, and clothed strangely. She then fell into a deeper sleep and no dreams or visions came to her again that night.

The company of warriors decided to proceed east across the Ringlo and connect with a little used road, which would then meet with the north south Greenway again. They knew there was much danger in this way as many of the enemy would be ranging this area looking for trouble, but thatÂ’s what they were about.

They hadnÂ’t been threatened for quite some time. The warriors were restless. They wanted some action and with all the allies of Sauron on the loose, they figured that this was entirely possible very soon.