Day XXVIII continued — A long way round
We stood and looked down at the chasm below;
Most of the dwarves were in tears.
They couldn’t believe that something had sundered
The bridge that had stood here for years
‘Let’s hope we’re not trapped here,’ Kandral said,
‘That rope bridge our weight must bear.’
He was the first to step back from the bridge,
Running a hand through his hair.
‘We must find a way round, if there is one,’ he said,
‘Though nothing is marked on this map.’
‘We’d better head back to the rope bridge behind,’
‘And hope to get over the gap.’
It was then I remembered the rest of the tale
My drinking-companion had told.
About how they’d searched out a path to the north;
Now was the time to be bold!
‘Excuse me,’ I said, “But I think there’s a way…’
‘And we’ve no need to re-cross that bridge.’
But the Gaffer just carried on talking with Thaosli:
‘What’s that we can see on the ridge?’
‘Do we go left or right?’ asked Halgrun of Kandral,
‘I’m not sure we’ll find a way round.’
‘I think there’s a path there,’ said Kandral, still pointing,
‘It disappears over that mound.’
Rosa chuckled: ‘It’s like they can’t hear us,’ she said,
‘When they get fired up for a fight.’
It was true, for the dwarves had gone off to the left
And I knew our path lay to the right.
‘Come back!’ I shouted, but still was ignored.
Up sprang three orcs to attack!
Hroskold killed two, the third one was Thorlaen’s.
And now, they began to fall back.
I took hold of the Gaffer and pointed him
Towards the dark stairs ‘cross the floor.
‘It’s this way, Lord Kandral,’—‘You knew all along?’
‘Why didn’t you say so before?’
We dashed for the steps. Beyond, lay a hall,
That was paved and several yards wide.
‘Hardly a secret passage,' I said,
Now we were safely inside.
We followed it straight for five hundred paces
And though it seemed blocked at its end.
A small path led downwards away to the east,
With many a twist, turn and bend.
‘Now don’t go wandering off,’ said Kandral
‘Who knows what foul beasts we’ll find?’
He was right to warn us, for just round the corner,
We were attacked by a bat of some kind!
Well you’d think ’twas a bat, though this one spat fire;
Too small for a dragon, I’d say.
Leifgrim rushed out and lopped off its head,
And once more we set out on our way.
As we rounded the bend an arrow struck rock,
And fell at the Gaffer’s feet.
A couple of orcs, hardly a match
For the dwarves, soon made their retreat.
‘We’d best watch our rear’ I said, fearing an ambush,
And Leigrim, nodding, fell back.
The path climbed up a steep hill, over which,
It joined with a roughly-hewn track.
By the side was a cart that held mining tools.
But crudely constructed it seems.
‘By Mahal!’ said Kandral, ‘These orcs have been mining.’
‘We’ll soon put an end to their schemes!’
We heaved the cart over the edge into darkness,
‘That‘ll teach them to steal the dwarves’ ore!’
And we followed the dimly-lit track ever downwards,
Keeping an eye out for more.
It was then that I sensed a smell so familiar,
Carried along a light breeze
‘It was sunshine on water; green grass and damp earth,
With flowers and leaf-mould and trees!
‘It’s a lake! Can’t you smell it?’ I cried out in glee;
But Rosa just smiled and said naught.
And as soon as it came, the scent disappeared;
‘Just imagination,’ I thought.
At the end of the track we could see there were orcs,
Guarding the way to the Hall.
But their numbers were few and it didn’t take long
For the dwarves to deal with them all.
Before we went on, the dwarves stared again
At the bridge that was now cut in two.
And once more, they mourned for that they had lost;
All were dismayed at the view.
It was time to move on; we mounted the stairs,
And again the breeze brought us its scent.
‘Now can you smell it?’ I cried out in joy.
This time there was no dissent.
‘The door must be open! I can see light ahead.’
‘Almost there now; we really are near.’
‘Aye,’ Kandral replied, ‘The East Gate lies open,’
‘And beyond, we will find Mirrormere.’
‘So this is First Hall?’ I asked in pure wonder
Looking up at the roof overhead,
There were statues and carvings and arches and pillars;
‘This really is something,’ I said.
Then we climbed the last staircase up to the East Gate,
Shielding our eyes from the light.
Looking back at the Hall, lit up by the sun,
We were rendered dumb by the sight.
And though I had seen so much of this place,
This view was the best, because—
I now understood, for the first time, it seemed,
How important a place this was.
Read the full poem here
