Legolas and the Balrog
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-Multi-Age › Slash - Male/Male
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Category:
-Multi-Age › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
14
Views:
6,440
Reviews:
19
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
XI Ride from the Wood
Legolas
and the
Balrog
A Little Legolas story
un-Beta'd.
By
erobey (erobey@gmail.com)
Disclaimer:
Please see Contents page.
XII. Ride from the Woods and Bring
your
Bows
"…then Glorfindel saw that they were ensnared by Melkor's evil
soldiers: Orcs and goblins plaguing Galdor and Tuor at the head of the
trail, more Orcs and a vile Balrog behind his company of warriors,
closing fast upon them.
" 'Swords!' cried the Lord of the Golden Flower and
his troops drew their weapons and followed after their leader, shouting
curses against the hated demons as they charged. Great was the valour
of their assault against their foes and the Orcs began to give back,
quailing at the sight of the onrushing elves and Thorndor and his eagle
lords plucking goblins from the heights with their sharp talons,
casting them down into the ribbon of water winding through the rocks in
the bottom of Cristhorn.
"Glorfindel challenged the Balrog, desiring to slay it, for many were
his loved ones that had perished under the whips of such demons in the
Fall of the Fair City of Singing Stones, and among the refugees were
the remnants of his House. The craven creature of flame and shadow
ignored the summons and jumped past him, landing amid the maids, the
children, and the wounded.
"The Balrog's lash snapped and hissed, its
crimson fire searing the helpless with its heat, punctuating the
brutish laughter of the cruel beast and the piercing screams of
wretched agony from the victims. These cries were terrible to hear and
an unbearable sound to the warriors' ears. In vain did the company seek
a way to put their swords betwixt the children and that whip, for the
Orcs renewed their murderous efforts in delight over the elves'
torment.
"The gallant heart of Lord Glorfindel was inflamed with pity for his
suffering kinsmen and fairly burst with rage to see them tortured by
the Balrog, and he would not abide it. With a roar he raced forward and
sprang; a mighty leap carried him before the Spawn of Melkor and he
accosted the gruesome raug (devil), hewing it with his great sword, so
close upon it that the flames of the beast reflected in the fair elven
armour. So fierce was his attack that the fiendish foe was pressed
back, forced to seek safety upon the craggy limbs of stone abutting the
narrow path, but Glorfindel would not relent and followed. From boulder
to boulder, dancing across the precipice, heedless of the danger
promised by the sheer drop into the defile, the brave captain pursued
his enemy, driving him ever farther from the suffering innocents.
"At last the Balrog could flee no further and turned to confront
Glorfindel. How the heights glowed with the garish orange blaze and
searing silver sparks emitted every time the elven Lord's blade struck
the despicable form of Melkor's creation! How the creature bellowed and
raged, furious that it could not turn back the dauntless determination
of its opponent nor strike down the valiant Vanya warrior! It seemed
that Glorfindel was clothed in flame, yet he did not feel the heat
nor notice the lick of the lash. He smote the foul creature about the
head and sliced off its whip arm at the elbow. Then the Balrog saw that
it could not prevail and its end was at hand, and the beast threw
itself upon Glorfindel. The mighty warrior did not quail but stabbed
his foe with a dagger, and as the creature was thrown back it dragged
him down as well.
"Down over the edge they went! Down into the great chasm they fell!
Down into the frigid waters of Thorn Sir fell Glorfindel of the House
of the Golden Flower, both vanquisher and vanquished, yet not once did
his fair voice cry out in fear or regret all that long way down."
Galurem (Many Blessings) paused here, glancing down in concern to check
his baby
brother's status, for he had felt the little one's body shiver where
Legolas was pressed up close against him, sandwiched between the
youngest Dragon child and their father as they sat on the elfling's
bed. Enormous owlish blue eyes met his above a curled fist clutching a
lock of Galu's chestnut hair, where a small thumb was securely
ensconced between dark red lips. Galu shifted his sight to his Adar,
seeking consent before turning the page, for on the next leaf he knew
was a detailed, coloured drawing of the scene. Thranduil's brief smile
and nod encouraged the youth and he carefully, slowly revealed the
scary image.
A quick breath left the elfling. "Raug gortheb!"(Horrible demon!) he
hissed quietly and looked up expectantly at his big brother, waiting
for the end of the tale, which he knew by heart now but still needed to
hear.
"The rest of the orcs were defeated," Galu read, "for the warriors'
vigour was renewed as their wrath kindled high to see their revered
leader fall. Then Thorndor, Lord of the Eagles, retrieved Glorfindel's
broken body from the icy river. At the entrance to the rocky pass he
was laid to rest; a high cairn was raised over him and upon it yellow
flowers grew. Yet nevermore did any elf see those blossoms and only the
eagles kept vigil over the grave, until finally the lands were changed
and all that region inundated by the Great Sea.
"Alas! Great was the mourning of the refugees for Glorfindel was
beloved among his people. With heavy hearts they continued on for there
was nothing left of the world they had know before and little hope for
peace when so many of the noble Gondolindrim were no more. The End."
Galurem shut the book and looked down at his baby brother with a sad
smile.
Then Legolas pulled his thumb out and smiled, too, as he straightened
up. "But that is not the end, is it?" he said firmly. "Glorfindel was
reborn. He is alive right now, is that not so, Ada?" the child's eyes
held a bright and hopeful light within them as he turned to his father.
"Aye, he lives. Glorfindel resides in Imladris with the people of
Elrond, for the Lord of those lands is descended of Tuor and Idril and
Eärendil," confirmed Thranduil, drawing his youngest elfling up
onto his lap and wrapping him up tight in strong, safe arms.
The King
had not been surprised to find Galu already here when he had arrived at
the nursery, for the impetuous youth had thrown down his fork
and nearly yanked the table cloth to the floor in his haste to exit the
dining hall. Thranduil had felt a strong surge of pride in his Dragon
son then, for though by silvan custom he was of Huneb'ell's people,
Galurem reminded the Sindarin Lord of his own elder brother, long dead
on the desolate and blasted plains before Morannon.(the Black Gate of
Mordor) Even now, the
smouldering resentment Galu felt on his baby brother's behalf was
evident, deeply colouring his natural glow with silver flashes, like
the bright white heart in the hottest core of a single flame.
Thranduil unwound one arm from his youngest and reached over to
encompass Galu in the embrace. His Dragon son looked up, surprised and
embarrassed, but a softer gleam filled his eyes, too, and Thranduil
knew he was pleased.
Galu smiled shyly, too aware of all the faces watching, for they were
not the only occupants of the nursery. Indeed, he had been but the
first to reach Legolas' chambers, for almost all the siblings, save
Glamor and Sîrgel, who was attempting to mend matters with his
beloved, had come to mitigate the harshness of the Silver Queen. It
felt good to
have been the first, however, and Galu was proud to receive this open
affirmation from their sire. He met each of his siblings' gazes, noting
the mixture of envy and genuine joy upon their countenances. He was so
much more at peace now and wondered how the intense, explosive anger
that had consumed him earlier had cooled and given way to this easy
sense of security and belonging. Legolas has a way of doing
that; he calms me.
Galu recalled the events preceding this
restful moment:
The younger of Huneb'ell's offspring stormed from the refectory without
bothering to hide his outrage. No one should ever be permitted
to make Legolas cry after all the elfling has suffered. He
hated Ithiloth and her cool, smug demeanour, looking down on the other
wives because she was First and belonged to the House of Tawar. She
barely even spoke to him or Glamor and treated their mother with
disdain when they met.
So it seemed to his troubled mind, for Galu felt keenly the sting of
his lack of status among his own people. His grandfather belonged to
the Foxes and refused to acknowledge Huneb'ell's children by Thranduil.
In truth Ithiloth was not unkind to his mother even if they were seldom
in agreement on issues of concern to the Greenwood. To the young
warrior, however, this lack of accord was interpreted as criticism and
derision on the part of the Silver Queen. I would like to make
her cry!
Galu went straight to the nursery where he found Legolas in the tub as
Galion watched over him. The chestnut-haired prince grinned as he
observed his baby brother making waves to move his wooden barges
through the water. "What are you playing, maethor dithen (little
warrior)?" he asked, sharing his smile with Galion as he entered and
sat
on the edge of the bathtub.
"Galu! I am glad to see you here. Is Sîr really angry with me? Do
you think he will forgive me?" implored Legolas. "I did not know Tulus
would think I was being rude."
"Nay, Tuiw, he is not angry, I am sure. He is talking with Tulus and
explaining what you meant. Whatever made you ask her that?" Galu could
not help inquiring, for it was such an unexpected thing for his little
brother to say.
"I did not know it was wrong," Legolas' lower lip trembled anew and his
bright eyes filled with more tears.
"Ai! No more weeping; I am not scolding you. If you want to know, I
thought it was very funny. Did you see how red Sîr's face
became?" Galu giggled and leaned in to splash the elfling. "Do you
know, I think that is a fitting prank, enough to earn the initiation
without further trials."
Legolas' eyes grew huge and he glanced furtively at Galion, fearful for
the elder servant to learn of this deeply protected secret among the
siblings, but Galu only laughed.
"Nay, it is no test I give you. Galion knows all about it as does
Eirien."
"Is that true?" whispered the blue-eyed child, staring at his Ada's
trusted seneschal.
"It is, Legolas. Fear not, we have never given away anything that was
not meant to be known. In fact, I helped with the joke played upon the
Noldor visitors," averred Galion proudly. "Now then, your toes are all
wrinkled up like raisins and the water is too cool to play in any
longer, Tuiw. Out you get and into your night clothes."
"Very well, Galion. Must I go to sleep though? I am not at all tired
for I rested this afternoon," Legolas sought to negotiate his
punishment.
"Minui Naneth did not say anything about making you sleep, only that
you were confined to the nursery until the letter is finished. Come,
you may sit abed for a time and mayhap Galu will tell you a story or
two," suggested the butler kindly.
"What letter?" demanded Galu, interrupting his brother's excited
exclamation of anticipation. The Silver Queen, Galion relayed, had
decreed that her nephew must compose a letter of apology to Tulus for
his inappropriate remark. Upon hearing the explanation, Galu cursed her
vilely. "Eru's Arse, she is colder than Ossë's balls!"
"Galurem!" chastised Eirien sternly, poking her head around the bathing
room door. "You must not say such things in front of Legolas."
"Forgive me, Eirien, but someone must teach him to swear and it might
as well be me," quipped the elder prince and was gratified to see the
nanny smile indulgently as she turned away. "When Adar hears of this he
will be very displeased. Legolas can hardly write his name much less an
entire apology."
"I can do it, Galu," assured the child at once. "I want to do it, for I
had no wish to upset Tulus."
"Tulus was upset because she was surprised to have her dallying with
our brother revealed! Do not worry over it, for if she is to join our
family she will need to possess a good sense of humour. Can you imagine
allowing her into Noss Othronn if she cannot see how truly funny the
whole situation was?" opined Galu as he helped Legolas dress and began
to comb his hair out.
"What is dallying?" asked Legolas.
Eirien laughed from the other room as Galion snorted loudly while
trying to conceal his merriment. "I think we are no longer needed in
here, Herven," (Husband) said the clairvoyant nanny. "Galu has matters
firmly in
hand." She peered around the door for a final smirk at the Dragon ellon
ere she and Galion exited the nursery for their private quarters.
Legolas was glad, for of all his siblings only Galu would ever answer
his questions in a straightforward way. He looked expectantly over his
shoulder as his brother worked the comb through his hair and received
an answering grin and touselled locks in reply.
"Well? What is it? Everyone talks about it and I know they do not mean
lagging behind or going slow on purpose."
"Correct, pen vaen. (clever one) Dallying is what two elves do while
hoping not to create an elfling," he announced and laughed anew at
Legolas
bewildered expression. "Do not fret over it, Tuiw," he repeated before
the next question could arise. "Now, mayhap I can go and see what is
left of the desert."
"That is good of you, Galu," enthused Legolas and hugged his brother
tight around the neck. He decided to just let the whole matter of
elfling babes alone as it had generated so much trouble for him already.
"Aye, it is very generous, yet you must have something more nourishing
first," came a voice from the doorway. Both princes looked up to find
Thranduil there, smiling upon his sons fondly. He knelt quickly to
catch the bounding form of the littlest prince as Legolas left Galu and
vaulted through the air into his Ada's embrace. The King carried his
youngest to bed and settled him there, Galu following right behind.
They sat Legolas between them, propped up against the headboard with
pillows stuffed behind them.
"I will, Ada. Is the dinner over now?" he asked.
"Nay, but we have decided to finish it in here," spoke another voice
from the sitting room. In walked Fêrlass and Doronlass bearing a
large covered tray between them. Together they set this on the low
table beside the bed.
"I made sure to include everything you like best, Tuiw," added
Doronlass as he lifted off the cover with a flourish.
"Hannad," said Legolas and reached over the take up one of the buttered
sweet rolls. It quickly disappeared and was followed by a large forkful
of venison, for the child was quite hungry after his long day exploring
the grounds and the interrupted meal.
"I have brought a pitcher of apricot nectar, your favourite," sang out
Annûnfaen as she marched in, Corchrîn beside her with
enough cups for everyone. All the Raven children dragged in chairs and
cushions from the parlour and settled around the princeling's bed.
Corchrîn placed her chair near her husband and they clasped
hands, Thranduil carrying hers to his lips for a swift kiss. The family
began to share the repast when another interruption occurred.
"Ah, I just knew there was a party today. What is it we are
celebrating, Orgilion?" It was Menelfân and his brother,
Sîrgel's younger siblings of the Hawk clan.
"I am not sure. Perhaps it is for the first time ever that Sîr
has been bested twice, in a single day, and by his youngest brothers."
Orgilion grinned at Legolas and Fêrlass in turn.
"What have you brought, Gilion? (a nickname for Orgilion, means
Star-son)" demanded Annûn, noting a thick book in her brother's
hands.
The Hawk princes settled on the floor and Orgilion was about to explain
when the door opened again and in bustled the heiresses of the House of
the Butterfly: Lothanor, Brithla, and Gwirithiel with Calargyll right
behind them. Each carried a tray piled with pastries and cakes from the
pantry and promptly set these on the foot of the bed.
"You cannot leave us out," twinkled Calargyll merrily. "We have brought
the sweets. Now, what games are we going to play?"
"Nay, enough excitement has occurred this day," admonished Thranduil,
holding up a hand to still the chorus of groans and complaints from his
offspring.
"I agree," said Corchrîn with due solemnity. "That is why Gilion
has brought the book."
"It is your favourite, Tuiw," announced the young Lord of the Hawks.
"The story of Glorfindel and how he saved Eärendil by battling the
vile Balrog to the death."
"Oh!" Legolas clapped in anticipation as he gazed up at his Hawk
brother. Orgilion and Menelfân were already heroes in his
estimation, almost as strong and brave as his Ada, for he knew they
were frequently gone from his life because of their dedication to
protecting Greenwood from the evils of Orcs and spiders. And he knew it
was Menelfân who had pulled his Naneth's body from the clutches
of the Orcs on the day she died. Yet it was from neither of these he
wished to hear the legend told. Legolas turned eagerly to Galu on his
left. "Will you read it to me?" he begged with his most irresistible
indigo gaze.
Galurem smiled broadly, honoured to be chosen above his more
prestigious elder brothers or his highly ranked younger brothers, and
fairly ecstatic that Legolas would have none of the sisters narrate the
story. "I will do so with pleasure," he said and accepted the
heavy, illustrated book form Orgilion.
With that everyone had settled in to hear the tale and listened
spellbound as Galu had narrated with appropriate dramatic flair. Now
that the tale was finished, the younger elves rose and stretched,
relieving
cramped muscles and stiff backs, for all the siblings had been hard at
work upon their punishment tasks throughout the day. Galu, however, was
content to remain where he was and smiled at Legolas as he leaned more
fully into their Adar's clasp.
Legolas sighed in contentment. This was a much better end to the day
than he had hoped for after his blunder at table. All of his family was
present, except for Glamor and her mother, Minui Naneth and Sîr.
While he was sorry his Dragon sister was not there, Legolas did not
miss Huneb'ell, who was sometimes frightening, or Ithiloth, of whom he
had seen enough that day, and he was a little worried about facing
Sîr again just yet. He did wish the Noldor warriors could have
heard the magnificent tale, but decided he could share that with them
another time.
Annûnfaen stood from the chair in which she had been comfortably
curled. "Why
this new interest in Glorfindel, Tuiw?" she asked, stretching tall to
ease her aching back. All day she had run back and forth on the
practice fields, retrieving arrows, swords, shields, spears, and lances
for various sparring warriors. More than a few of the ellin had made
allusions to her appearance and flirted with her, and this had been the
most unbearable aspect of the task for she had not had to endure such
conduct until recently. She wanted to discuss it with her Nana but had
another matter that she felt must be broached to her siblings first.
"I just want to know if it is really true," explained Legolas. "I will
go to Imladris and ask him myself someday."
"Ask what? About the Balrog? I am certain it is true, Legolas," said
Menelfân. "You need not go to Imladris to learn that; ask our
visitors for they are all friends with Glorfindel and see him almost
every day."
"Oh! I had not thought of that! That is a grand idea, Menel. I was not
thinking about the Balrog, though. I want to know if he really died and
was reborn."
"Of course he was. Why would anyone make up such a thing?"
Corchrîn was flabbergasted for Legolas to be thinking thus and
met her beloved's eyes in worry.
Thranduil reached out and squeezed her fingers, smiling to give
reassurance he perhaps did not quite feel in his soul.
Whatever is pen dithen nín (my little one) thinking of
now? "Aye, Legolas, the Lord of the Golden Flower lives
again. By his own words he has said this and while I have not heard
them myself the story was told to me by Mithrandir, who knew him in
Aman. For many long years he dwelt there, growing up again from a small
elfling, much like you are now, into the mighty warrior we have heard
so much about."
"Then I believe it, Ada, if you say it is so. It is important to be
sure," he said solemnly.
"Why do you need to be sure of Glorfindel?" Fêrlass finally
asked what everyone wanted to know, even though they all
suspected what this reason must be.
"If it is really the same Glorfindel, then my Nana will be reborn, too.
She was just as brave as Glorfindel, fighting orcs and wraiths to
protect our people," he said with calm determination. "And Greenwood
needs her, more even than Lord Elrond needs Glorfindel. The Valar will
have to let her come back if they allowed Glorfindel to return."
A few seconds of silence followed this announcement, for though
everyone had been thinking it, hearing such a strong statement from the
elfling was troubling, for of all the elves that had passed into
Mandos, only Glorfindel had ever returned to Middle-earth to speak of
it.
"Ai, Legolas!" Annûn breathed out, disturbed and somewhat
shocked,
not knowing whether to caution her brother or encourage his ardent hope
to
remain.
"Nay, he is right," stated Galu firmly, sending her a look that
demanded the latter. "This is the promise of Námo to all the
First-born, that should the body and soul be sundered a new hroa will
be given after a time of rest and healing in his Halls. Yet Námo
did not reveal how or when this would take place, and perhaps that is
something only Glorfindel can answer. Let us, then, hold hope in our
hearts for Curóniel's swift rebirth."
"Aye, to that I will gladly pledge," stated Menelfân. He reached
out for his glass of juice and everyone followed his example. "An
Curóniel adonnatha ar addelitha o Mandos Tham. (To
Curóniel's rebirth and return from the Halls of Mandos.) May she
be healed of her hurts and rested in spirit. May she see the light of
Aman and the faces of the Valar and return to tell us of such wonders."
"An Curóniel adonnatha ar addelitha o Mandos Tham." (To
Curóniel's rebirth and return from the Halls of Mandos.)
Everyone spoke this oath, raised their goblet, and drank to signify
their solidarity in wishing for this great event to come to pass.
After this, Calargyll wondered aloud if it might not be best for
Legolas to try and rest, as he had endured an exhausting evening. She
raised her brows to Thranduil and gave a small nod, her way of
informing him that she had won the morning's tournament between the
wives, and preceded her daughters from the nursery.
Corchrîn tried to hide her disappointment but Thranduil noticed
anyway and gave her hand a final kiss before releasing her from his
clasp. Sadly he watched her leave the room, her head held high and her
back strong and unbowed, for he understood how much it hurt her to know
he would spend this night with his Second Wife. He bent to give his
littlest prince a kiss. "Îdh vaer, Tawarwaith dithen." (Rest
well, little Tawarwaith.) So saying, and accepting a kiss and a hug in
return, the King rose and dutifully followed after Calargyll.
Doronlas gave a low rumble of discontent but voiced nothing more of his
anger to see his naneth saddened. He motioned for his siblings to join
him and not only the Ravens but the Hawks followed him from the
nursery. Together the five marched down the halls until they reached a
less-used section of the stronghold, a series of caverns reserved for
emergency occupation by the Wood Elves of the forest at large. At a
dimly lit cross-corridor they encountered the Butterfly daughters
waiting for them and Glamor was also there.
"Where is my brother?" demanded First Daughter of the House of the Blue
Dragon.
"He is still with Tuiw. I do not believe he means to join us or he
would have caught up with us before now," said Annûnfaen, her
tone disgruntled and irritated. She wished he was present, for
generally Galu was a staunch supporter of her plans even when others
would gainsay her.
"Sîr is not coming either. We cannot hold Yejquv [High Council]
without them," sighed Brithla. (Pearl)
"Oh yes we can and we must," argued Orgilion. "Just look at
Annûn; we all know what that sparkle in her eyes portends."
"Aye," nodded Menelfân with a sly grin. "She has had an Idea."
At this everyone turned to focus upon the youngest Raven child. She was
indeed smiling with unbridled deviousness and looked fit to burst in
her desire to reveal this Great Notion that had come upon her during
the evening spent in Legolas' rooms. Yes, she had just conceived what
was probably the best prank ever, and she had thought up some very
grand schemes in her short life. Not even Lothanor's 'Attack of the
Avari' could compare to the utter perfection of this plot. In fact,
Annûn wondered if she would ever be able to come up with anything
to top it, so magnificent would this endeavour prove.
"Out with it," demanded Lothanor. (Sunflower)
"Nay. We must convene Yejquv," insisted Annûn. "This is too
important to discuss in the passage. I have determined the most fitting
way to grant Tuiw his induction into Nost Othronn (House of the
Underground Fortress). AND…" the youngest Raven paused dramatically to
enjoy the effect as all her siblings leaned closer. "I have the perfect
trial for Tulus as well. She will either prove herself worthy to join
us or Sîr will realise his error in choosing her and cease his
courting."
"Tulus? Why bother with her? We do not even know if Sîr is really
contemplating bonding with her," groused Gwirithiel. (April Daughter)
"What does it matter? She has harmed our Tawarwaith, has she not? Poor
Legolas had to endure one of Naneth's dreadful lectures," groaned
Orgilion.
"And no doubt there is other punishment as well, which we will learn of
on the morrow from Galu. Legolas tells him everything. I agree; Tulus
has earned the censure of Nost Othronn on behalf of our muindor laes
(baby brother)." Doronlass had no qualms about subjecting the
unsuspecting maiden to his sister's scheme.
"Nasan," intoned Lothanor. "Sui iarwain sí, canin Yejquv." (So
be it. As the oldest here, I call High Council.)
Silently all the children of Thranduil filed into a room on the right.
They gathered loosely in its centre and then Menelfân called out:
"Tegi calad!" (Bring light!) and upon his command all the torches
flared brightly, for as one of Oropher's descendants he had inherited
the gift for this sort of magic, even if he was officially a Lord among
his Naneth's clan of the Hawk.
Each Elf waited for Annûnfaen to speak, for no further prompting
was required. Yejquv had been called and enough members of Nost Othronn
were present to fulfil quorum, though it was unusual to do so without
the entire compliment of its members.
The Raven daughter met each of her siblings' expectant faces with smug
delight. "Here we stand in the bowels of our Orod Im'elaidh. (Mountain
amid the Trees) Deep are the tunnels and the caverns situated; deeper
still are the shafts and veins of our mines. We are all aware that
sometimes unpleasant things are found in such dark and abyssal zones of
Arda. Things so old that Greenwood seems a meadow of saplings in
comparison and even Eirien but an elfling, though she has lived since
the time of the Awakening."
"There are no monsters asleep in our mountain, muinthel, (sister)"
scoffed Fêrlass, but his eyes were very wide and bright in the
firelight. It occurred to him that he had often overheard the miners
telling such tales when they were off duty and resting in the gardens.
His chore in the kitchens no longer seemed quite as onerous.
"Oh? I say, no one can be certain of that," countered Annûn. "I
say, let us assume that there is indeed a terrible creature hidden in
the depths of our fortress. Legolas shall learn of it and he shall
prove both his courage and his wits by defeating this vile creature.
Furthermore, he shall redeem his lost honour over the unintended slight
to the House of the Black Boa by rescuing Tulus from the clutches of
this hideous fiend. The Tawarwaith shall destroy Oropher's Bane, the
Balrog of Mirkwood."
Annûnfaen gloated, contemplating the stunned expressions that
met her inspection. Her siblings stood with dazed and uncertain
features, some gaping openly, others eying her shrewdly, some frowning
in worry. It was precisely the reaction she had wished to provoke and
she could hardly wait to reveal the details of her elaborate plan.
TBC