Mandos's Embrace Continuation

Chapter Eleven

The first signs of trouble came from the lowest tunnels. Attacks had increased three-fold and an odd sulfur smell crept through some of the shafts making the miners uneasy. We had also been getting reports that things outside the mines were getting steadily worse. Rumors of the Shadow abounded and we hadn't received an envoy from Eryn Lasgalen in nearly three years. I had managed to keep in touch with my brother via hawk mail, but his letters held little comfort.

I had been in Khazad-dum for nearly half a century. I no longer needed to even pay attention to where I was going, I knew the halls so well. I stopped outside Tanja's door. "Aye! Ye thrice damned slow dwarf! Get yerself out here, Durin called the meeting half an hour ago!"

"Blasted elf! Can't ye let me alone fer enough time to get some rest!" She shouted right back, but the door opened almost immediately. She beamed up at me. "Language, language. I do believe I have been of a slight influence." We headed off down the corridor still chuckling even as we entered the council chambers.

Durin was already speaking as we took our seats. His son Nain leaned over and filled us in quickly on what we missed. Ale of course was abundant, Valar forbid the dwarves have a meeting without ale. Yet a room full of agitated, slightly drunken dwarves...I think you get the idea. The head miner, Tarv, stood up giving his report on the continiung sulfur smell, that was now accompanied by a sweltering heat. After listening to that the head of security, Khrain, suggested we close Durin's Doors. That way we could suffer no unauthorized entrances since rumors were abounding on the surface. As well as double patrols in the lower corridors.

This was met with thunderous approval. Several other things were cleared up, mostly dealing with an order for spears from Edoras. Finally the meeting was adjourned, the council filed out, still drinking, as I rose to follow Tanja, Durin called me back. "I need to ask ye something, Zallie." I nodded and seated myself next to him. Tanja motioned that she would see me outside.

"What is it, Durin?" He had previously asked me not to call him King when it was just the two of us.

"Ye do understand that when we close the mines ye can no longer return to Lorien until we re-open our doors?"

"I do understand that."

"It could be years..." He looked at me searchingly.

I laughed. "Durin, I am an immortal. Plus this place has become very dear to me. I will send word to Lord Celeborn of my decision to remain and the closing of the mines." As I rose he seemed to size me up.

"Ye're a fine elf, a great friend, and one helluva dwarf!"

"I don't know if I should hug ye or hit ye!" I was still laughing as Tanja walked me to my rooms that night. I had spoken to her about what Durin had said and she seemed touched that I had chosen to stay.

Slipping through my tunnel and out to my ledge, I summoned a hawk and gave it a letter to take directly to Celeborn. That night, watching the sunset over Lothlorien seemed almost bittersweet. I knew then how my decision would affect my life. The only link I now had with my own race came on feathered wings, parchment and ink, clasped in strong talons. I knew I had made the right decision, though. My place was there, in Khazad-dum. I also sent a second letter, this time to my brother, telling him of what happened as well. The sky was glittering with starlight as I finally made my way to my bed.

The next morning not one, but two hawks were awaiting me to wake and remove their burdens. I was expecting the first, bearing the Lord and Lady's seal, but the second one made my jaw drop. It bore the King of Mirkwood's seal! I wanted to open that one first, but instead I set it aside and turned back to the one from Lorien. The handwriting was Celeborn's but it seemed off, as if he was in a hurry to write it.

Azalea,
If you have ever done anything with true vehemence, you must do it now. The dwarves must stop digging and seal off the lowest corridiors! Galadriel and I fear they may awaken something dreadful. Galadriel consulted her mirror on the matter and it was filled with horrors neither of us have seen in many centuries. We fear for you and the safety of those in the mines. Please heed this, We beg of you! Stop the digging!

My hands shook as I set it down. For something to frighten them...I picked up Thranduil's letter and opened it quickly. My brother had expressed concerns about the situation to him and he echoed Celeborn and Galadriel with striking similarity. That was enough to unnerve me and I headed for Durin's chambers at a dead run. I skidded in shouting. "Durin! I need to speak with ye!"

A wide-eyed dwarf peeked out at me from behind a door. "He went down to the newest mine section to investigate a vein..." The dwarf had barely gotten the words out when I was gone again, bolting down the halls at break-neck speed. It took me nearly an hour of hurdling dwarves and mine carts to find said dwarf. He looked up startled as I hurtled around a corner.

"What is it Zallie? What's wrong with you?" He hurried over to me, leaving Tarv scowling.

"Ye have to stop the digging!"

"What? Why?" I caught Tarv's instant displeasure as he barreled over to me.

"Ye'll release something horrible from the depths." I knew I was white as a sheet and probably shaking. I proceeded to tell them about the letters.

Tarv snorted. "Over-cautious elves. I know me mines an there's nothing here but mithril. The smell's likely a gas vein or such. Nothing me miners cannot handle with ease. The elves rule their realms, but have no say in the matters of dwarves. Bah!" He ambled off in a huff.

Durin looked at me mournfully. "I cannot do this. I am sorry, Azalea. It is not that I do not trust ye, it's just I do not want to anger the miners."

I nodded numbly. "We should at least move the forges to the upper levels to keep the workers safe."

He nodded, then summoned a guard. "Clear out the two levels above this one and move the forges to the uppermost levels. I know there will be grumbling, but do it anyways." Turning he smiled weakly. "Feel a little better?"

"I think we are still in for a good deal of troubles from this shaft, though." I coughed as I caught wind of the sulfuric smell. It was mingled with a fiery undertone. For some reason I knew I should make a connection, but it was elusive in my mind. I returned to my chambers in a daze. My mind whirled and no rest would come to me that night.

Two days later the horror was realized. I had taken to accompanying Durin to the lowest level. We were slowing the progress and weaning the miners away from the project, but our efforts were too late. Things had advanced too far along.

The first thing I really remember is a scorching blast of heat from down the mine shaft. Then the screaming began. Miners came rushing from the shaft, howling about a demon, a monster of fire. Durin advanced on one of the shaken dwarves. He demanded an explanation for their behavior, then we heard the roar. I will never forget that sound.

I was chilled to the core, my mind had finally made that fateful connection. "No, not here. It can't be.." I was slowly backing away from the tunnel. The heat intensified, and Durin looked at me in confusion and horror.

"Do you know what this thing may be?"

"I thought they were all destroyed...not here in Khazad-dum....We must flee! It's a Balrog of Morgoth!"

His eyes widened in shock. "How could..?" He was cut off as the abomination came into view. It filled the corridor to capacity. "Get the workers out of here and seal off the level! I'll keep it at bay!"

"No! It'll kill you!"

He faced me with grim determination. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. "I must protect my people. Zallie hear me out! You must get everyone out of here!" I could see the determination in his eyes. At the moment the spirit of Durin the Deathless showed brightly in him. He was a true member of that line in showing his courage.

I did as he asked and cleared the mine shaft. As the last miner fled I turned to call out to him. He had battled the Balrog as best he could, showing his true mettle by holding his own against the beast for those long moments.

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Glorfindel looked up, she had stopped and was sitting still, white as a sheet. He reached out and pulled her close to him. Slight tremors were coursing through her body. "I saw him struck down that day." She whispered. "I saw that thing become Durin's Bane..."

He held her tightly, gently stroking her braids. "Shh. You don't have to continue tonight if you are unable."

She shook her head. "No, I must finish this. Perhaps then I can truly be at peace."

"Continue at your own pace, then, melamin." He refilled his wine glass and waited patiently for her to begin speaking again.

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The next few days were all a blur. Nain ascended the throne and the lower three levels were completely sealed off. No one was truly sure how long that would keep the beast at bay, but it was the best we could do for now. Winter had come to the mountains early and there was no way to either flee or send for reinforcements, and the dwarves did not want to leave their home.

I had been numbed by seeing my longtime friend fall and had neglected to send letters out to Lorien for aid. There was not much that could be done. Tanja did her best to comfort me, and I in turn for her.

Slowly the levels were cleared out one-by-one until only the upper two were occupied. It was crowded and seemed to wear on everyone's nerves rather quickly. Fights broke out on a regular basis, mostly the out of work miners, frustrated to no end about everything in general. No matter what we did that thing kept coming and not only that, it seemed to be calling other foul creatures to itself. Orcs, goblins, and even the occasional troll seemed to appear out of thin air. Finally, Nain called a meeting.

"I am afraid we have but one option left to us. We must exodus from Khazad-dum." The room was stunned silent by his solemn words. "My father fell to ensure the safety of his people. I would be remiss to ignore his sacrifice and let this abomination slowly kill us all."

"An ye think yer father would want us to leave our homes over some firey demon. Bah! I say we fight fer what's ours by right!" Tarv growled as he stood and glared at Nain. He received several nods of assent at this.

I stood up slowly from my chair and fixed him with an icy stare. "Just what do ye presume to do then, Master Miner? Tell the Balrog to bugger off and leave yer mithril alone?" I looked over each face in the room. "This is a demon of the ancient world, I have read about them in many tomes in Lorien. Though I never thought I'd have the misfortune to actually encounter one. I know ye're all loath to leave yer homes, but I fear Nain is right. Our forces are struggling just to keep the peace, let alone fend off the attacks. Durin would not want us to stay here and die! His last wish was for his people to be safe. We haven't the means to defeat this thing right now, but I know one day, we will. This place has become my home as well, but we must survive." I turned to look at Nain. "I will follow your decision, my King."

I placed my hand over my heart and bowed my head. It had the desired effect, the entire room followed suit and soon plans were made to leave at spring thaw. As I turned to leave after the meeting, Nain called me back. He smiled up at me and for the first time, I really saw his father in him. "I want to thank ye for what ye did. Now I really understand why my father trusted ye so well."

"Ye're most welcome, Nain, but it is in the job descripition."

He chuckled, but quickly turned serious. "I want to ask something of ye."

"Anything, Nain."

"Two groups will flee at the same time and each will need a flank guard. I will do this for the group heading for Durin's Doors. I would like to ask ye to provide the same to the group taking the bridge."

"I would be honored."

The months passed by quickly and soon the huge groups were assembled in the Great City for what would be the last time. I had packed my few belongings into a small pack and given it to one of the females to carry so I could be free to defend the colomn if need be. A group of a dozen fighters in full battle armor were also selected to accompany each group, although each dwarf was wearing full armor as well. I knelt down and embraced Nain. "May the Valar watch over us all this day."

"Aye lassie, let's hope so."

"Alright! Let's get going!" I stood up and motioned for my group to preceede me down the corridor, six armoured guards leading the way with the other six placed at intervals along the outside of the group. As I made to take up my position I heard Nain order his group to make way as well. I caught Tanja's gaze and managed to smile at her. She gave me a nod and turned to hurry along the corridor.

Once we had made it through the safe corridors the going should have been slower, yet the journey went very swiftly. Even then it seemed as though we were going to make it quite unscathed. Attacks were few and the groups were small. It wasn't to be, though.

We passed through the final hall that lead to the great bridge of Khazad-dum, so close to our goal, and were assailed heavily. The guards fought bravely to keep the group safe as they descended the stairs. I brought my bow to bear and began to drop as many as I could, but we were overwhelmed. "The bridge! Run for it! All guards cover them!" The songs of battling dwarves echoed all around me. I couldn't believe this was real. I turned to see the last of the group make it across the bridge and yelled out for the guards to go, that I would follow behind them.

That's when I saw it. The Balrog had come. "Balrog! Flee now!" I fired my last two arrows at it then turned to bolt across the bridge. The next few moments are so clear. I heard it pursuing me. It's heat assailed me and it's stench filled my senses. I had made it onto the bridge and was halfway across when I heard the crack of a whip. Searing pain made me cry out and I fell to the stone. The cool sensation of the stone was lost in the screaming heat of the creature's roar. I could fell the wetness of the blood, my blood, seeping down my sides to soak into the stone.

I must have been delirious at that moment because I could swear I heard bells in my ears. The next thing I remember is seeing Tanja standing over me screaming at the Balrog. I told her to go, to leave me, but she refused and flung an axe at the creature. It shrieked. After that all I felt was being painfully drug across the stone towards the stairs to the outside. My last sight was seeing my best friend fall to the Balrog. Then darkness claimed me.

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Glorfindel was suprised to find that he was the one shaking now. Azalea's voice had grown soft and she leaned her head against his chest. He knew the bells she had spoken of for he had heard them too. The call of Mandos. "The rest is mostly blurs, images seen in delerium. Celeborn's face above mine, Elrond's voice, Círdan holding my hand, screams. Nothing really substantial. I spent nearly six months recuperating."

"I never knew all that went on in Moria, but I had wondered why an eagle was sent for Elrond around that time." He took a long drink of his wine. "I had heard the rumors that Durin was felled by a Balrog, but at the time I thought it quite impossible. When Elrond confirmed the story I was dumbfounded." He reached up and stroked her cheek. "After all you have endured it is amazing you are not in Valinor or Mandos. Are there any lingering effects from your encounter?"

She tensed slightly, then shook her head. "No. I am quite exhausted." She slipped off his lap and stood up with a stretch. "Shall we retire?"

He frowned. There was more to this, but it seemed as though she was unwilling to discuss it. He sighed. He would let it go for now. Perhaps on her own time she would reveal more. "Aye." He took her hand and let her lead him to bed.