The Tale of the Blue Wizard
M.R. Michel
This
fan fiction is dedicated to the memory of J.R.R. Tolkien. My forays into Middle-earth will forever be
some of my most precious memories, and each time I read or re-read more of his
work, I am awed at the scope and detail of his imagination. He is one of the greatest fiction writers of
our age, and I am honored to walk in his shadow. May God bless his eternal soul.
I’ve
also created a short glossary of important words that you can find after the story. If you aren’t familiar with Tolkien’s
writings, or you have only read certain ones, then this may help you understand
the story in more detail. The story
itself is split into different headings based on subject matter, but is all
part of the same plot line. In all of
Tolkien’s writings, there are only a few lines about the ‘Blue Wizards,’ and
the far East of Middle-earth is rarely mentioned. This is where my fan fiction comes in. Enjoy!
M.R.
Michel
Of History and Lore
As Sauron, most powerful servant of
Melkor, strove against the might of Men, Elves and Dwarves at the end of the
Third Age, the Valar sent lesser spirits of the Maiar into Middle-earth from
the Undying Realms. Called Istari, or
the “Wise Ones” in the Quenya tongue, their role was to give strength and
wisdom unto all the children of Illúvatar.
Common tales tell of three that strove long against the will of the Dark
One. First in strength, and in old times
of wisdom also, was Saruman the White, as he was named in the tongues of
Men. Long he delved into the dark arts
and wrestled against the will of Sauron, but in the end his will crumbled and
he became a thrall of evil. The second
in power was named Gandalf the Grey, who later became Gandalf the White. Of his shepherding role of the Ring of Power
there need be no retelling; and through the merit of his contest with a Balrog in
the deep shafts of Moria he has earned renown.
The third Wizard, so called in common speech, was Radagast the Brown. Radagast had a love for the kelvar and olvar of Middle-earth, and it said that he could utter the speech
of birds. He was especially chosen by
Yavanna, who of the Valar from the beginning has cared for the living things of
Arda. And yea, though he did not much
contest the will of Sauron, and turned more towards the will of his mistress,
his failure was perhaps not as great as that of Saruman, who fell in part
because of his great pride.
Five Istari came bidden into Middle-earth
from the Undying Lands at the will of the Valar, but tales tell of two others. These two Blue Wizards were little known to
the Edain, yet the Eldar named them Alatar and Pallando. Though they came in twain to the East of Middle-earth,
and in friendship undying as only those of the Valar and Maiar might know,
their paths were sundered. It is said
that Pallando was captured by Sauron, and long strove against his dark
will. Even unto the walls of Barad-dûr
in Mordor their battle raged, and the Orcs quelled in terror to see the fierce
light of the Istari’s brow. Yet in the
end Pallando was cast down and his staff was broken, and Sauron servant of
Morgoth had the victory. There was yet a
deep darkness within Sauron’s spirit that would not be broken until the end of
the Third Age. Thus it was written in
the lore of Elves and Men that though the Istari might aid in the eventual
defeat of Sauron, they were not in themselves to be the instruments of that
demise.
Our tale begins not long after
the parting of the Blue Wizards. For
while Pallando went to the North to espy the comings and goings of the servants
of Sauron, and to lay a watch upon that dark land, Alatar remained in the East
of Middle-earth. In olden times the bay
of Cuiviénen lay nestled against the Inland Sea of Helcar, yet the land has yet
been recast after the War of Wrath and the wrestling of the powers in which
Morgoth Bauglir was defeated. In these
lands also awoke the first Children of Illúvatar, the Quendi, or the Elves, who
long stayed there under the shining stars.
Some at last departed for the Undying Lands and were known as the Eldar,
but the Avari grew to love the lonely paths and open glades of Middle-earth,
lit by bright stars, and chose to remain.
This region is not known by many,
even among those who are familiar with the little-trodden paths of Middle-earth. Past the land of Rhûn and the Sea of Rhûn,
the realm of the Easterlings, there lies a land partly veiled in shadow. Here are the great Mornié Mountains, which in
the speech of the Quendi means the Mountains of Darkness. At the base of these mountains, which are
often shrouded in mist, there lies the Kingdom of Tumna Cálë, or Hidden Light. Here some of the Avari yet remain in
secrecy. They have not deigned to look
upon the fate of Middle-earth, and will not come against Sauron with arms. In the Kingdom of Tumna Cálë only Elves have
ever lived, for the inhabitants of this city do not mingle with the other races
of Illúvatar that were brought into being in the First Age. And yet the eyes and ears of Sauron stretch
out over the entire width and breadth of Middle-earth, and it was not long ere
even the Kingdom of Tumna Cálë came to be known to him. Yea, many Elves have tried to escape the
prying eyes of the legacy of Morgoth Bauglir, but that is perhaps not their
fate. Gondolin met the fires of the
dragons and the scourges of the Balrogs, and even so Sauron wished every hidden
land and people to lie under his dominion, or to perish forthwith.
The Dragon is Summoned
Sauron held the allegiance of many
of the Easterlings, not the least being of Ulthel their chief. Thus it was that through his servants Sauron
heard rumors of the city of Tumna Cálë, but as of yet he thought that it was
populated by Men who must have fled his wrath long ago. He sent a summons to bring Ulthel son of
Undiel, the chief of the Easterlings, to Mordor, and there questioned his
thrall. And when Sauron commanded him to
take a force to the east of Rhûn to destroy all that lived there, Ulthel
refused.
‘Lord,’ said he, ‘It is not out of
irreverence that I refuse thee. For here
in Mordor’s dark dungeons I may face a slow and painful death, but in the
mountains beyond the homes of my people there lives an ancient power. It is better that I die today than lead the
warriors of my people to certain death.
For none have ever returned from the far East that went thither.’
Sauron questioned him closely, but
could not gainsay more information. The
Dark One might have tortured Ulthel and perhaps learned something more, but his
designs upon the Easterlings were yet unfinished and he needed the chieftain to
persuade his people to support him in the coming war. Thus he let the Easterling depart, but placed
a mark upon his brow that endured for as long as Ulthel son of Undiel
lived: for all know that the house of
Undiel were forever marked as the servants of the Dark Lord.
Then Sauron servant of Morgoth
Bauglir sat for a time upon his throne of darkness in deep thought. He did not count the strength of this hidden
kingdom as valiant, and doubted much the prowess of what he thought to be a few
Men at arms. Yet inside him there was a burning
desire to make every creature in Middle-earth his thrall, and he could not bear
the thought of a free house of Men. At
this time he could not yet spare a large force from his main campaigns, and Orcs
would have to cross a great swath of Middle-earth to come to the far East.
Thus he summoned one of the last of
the great dragons of Middle-earth, the winged fire drake Hauthmog son of
Ancalagon the Black. The worm issued
forth from the lowest dungeons in the fell pits of Mordor and lay before his
master. His bulk stretched out the
entire length of the throne room, and many of the servants of the Dark Lord
fled in terror at the stench of his coming.
Long had he waited the call to battle, though Sauron had not yet sent
him out on his errands, because Hauthmog was not in full strength, being a
young dragon.
Now Hauthmog was surnamed the
Cunning, for it is said that of all the brood of dragons his wit far surpassed
even that of Glaurung, who with his wiles deceived the Children of Húrin and
caused their fall. So while Hauthmog the
Cunning had not yet come into his full stature, in guile he was unmatched save
for his master, Sauron servant of Morgoth.
Sauron spoke to the dragon, and his voice was a dark whisper that made even
the shadows tremble. Thus when Hauthmog
had heard the edict of his dark Master, he at once took wing towards the Eastern
lands of Middle-earth.
The Elves of Tumna Cálë kept a watch
on the outskirts of all their land, and if any Easterling strayed thither he
was put to the sword. In this way they
did not allow their enemies to know their strength in arms. Yet they did not keep a close watch on the
skies, for their kingdom was hidden and the rumor of the great dragons of past
ages had long ago waned. So it was that
Hauthmog the Cunning came to the Mornié Mountains unseen in a great cloud of
vile fog, which drifted from the west over the entire region at the bidding of the
Dark Lord. Some Elves there were who
wondered at this fell fog, and accounted it as a sign of coming evil, but they
did not know from whence it came.
Thus Hauthmog came to the realm
of Tumna Cálë in secret. He slithered
down the peaks of the Mornié mountains, leaving a trail of slime in his wake,
and hid in the deep caves of the surrounding region. There for a time he lay quiescent, but if a
traveler were to wander the winding mountain roads he may perhaps have seen the
dragon’s great head lying half out of some dark hole, spying out the land. For the sight of a dragon is of all the
creatures of Eä the most penetrating, save perhaps for the gaze of the
Eagles. Then for a time Hauthmog was
ever-vigilant with his dragon-eye to know the strength of his enemy.
The Coming of
the Blue Wizard
The realm of Tumna Cálë was ruled by
King Thirmir son of Téamos, and for many years the Elves knew only prosperity
and joy. For King Thirmir was in some
ways a wise King; he did not allow his people to leave the Kingdom of Hidden
Light save on pain of death, and would not allow any to enter his lands that
had not been born there, whether friend or foe.
This law was harsh, but Tumna Cálë was saved from the treachery of Men
and the fate of Gondolin. King Thirmir
did not allow his people to build great monuments or works of art, for he
reasoned that such things would only bring ruin and woe upon them. For he said, ‘It is better that my people
learn the lore of growing things and of times past rather than the carving and
delving of the stunted ones. For if we
raise towers, then the Enemy perhaps will espy them from afar; and if we delve
deep into the mountains, then we may release a darkness that even our knowledge
may not be able to repress. Walls and
towers may serve as a defense, but they are not needed unless one wishes to go
to the fields of battle.’ So the Elves
lived in secrecy and in silence, in humble dwellings at the foothills of the mountains,
and did not forge great works of earth and stone.
King Thirmir was of a regal stature,
tall and proud as the Noldor of old. He
took Eyera daughter of Ithiel as his queen, and ruled his people kindly, and as
he thought, justly. Eyera bore Thirmir
one daughter, but she herself died in childbirth. And afterwards the King gave his daughter the
name Nyérë Úvëa, which in
the Quendi tongue means ‘Sorrow in Abundance.’
With the death of his wife he became a shadow of his former self and
walked as a wraith among his people.
Though he remained King, he often forsook the leadership of his kingdom,
and allowed the council to rule in his stead.
Oftentimes many would see him sitting on a rock at the base of the
mountains staring up into the sky. The
people said, ‘Thirmir Téamos
yearns for Eyera Ithiel, yet they shall not meet again, unless it is beyond the
confines of this world.’ King Thirmir
did not often see his daughter, for her laughter only reminded him of his lost
love.
Thus
it was that Nyérë did not find comfort in the King’s hall, though she was a
princess by birth. Many a time she
wandered in the foothills of the Mornié Mountains, and King Thirmir did
not restrain her. He reasoned that these
mountains were safe, for by law none could enter or leave the kingdom. Thus it was that in time she found a hidden
path up into the mountains. The path led
to a vast lake that was fed by deep springs and the runoff of the
mountains. In olden times the Elves had
come to these shores to fish, for the lake was full of life, but they came no
longer. Nyérë looked out upon the deep blue waters and named them Amanya, which means blessed. For it seemed to her that there was a deep
serenity in this lake, and many times she would come to sit by its side and
stare across its vast breadth. She would
bring bread from the stoves of the Elves and cast crumbs upon the waters, and
the birds and fishes would come to feed, so that in time they ate even from her
hand.
She
would also come to the lake to practice the throwing of Anqualë, her dagger. Anqualë was forged long ago by a great Eleven-smith
from a fallen star, and it was said that no metal, rock, or armor was ever made
that could not be pierced by its blade. Her
father’s courtesans said that knife-lore was not for a princess to learn, but
she defied them. Nyérë did not agree
with the wisdom of her father, and thought that the Elves should not have
abandoned their prowess at battle. For
though one may not seek out evil, evil may still seek one out.
One
day Nyérë came to Lake Amanya and sat long beside the waters in thought. She was so distraught that she did not notice
the waters lapping at her dress or the approach of a stranger until he was nigh
upon her. Then she looked up, and for
the first time saw one that was not of her own kindred. Fear came into her face, and she stepped
back, one hand on Anqualë, which lay in the folds of her skirt.
‘Who
are you, errant knave,’ quoth she, ‘that you come upon a maiden unawares and
alone in the hidden kingdom? For this
perhaps my father will have your head, for he does not abide with the race of
Men. The price for entry into Tumna Cálë is Death, and Death is our law. What say you, uncouth Man?’ For she thought that he was perhaps one of the
Easterlings that had somehow escaped her father’s snares and come unawares into
the Elvish realm.
The stranger smiled and mirth
twinkled in his eyes. He was dressed in
a dark blue robe, and wore a tall, pointed hat.
A great brown beard sprung from his chin, and he held a staff in his
left hand, much like one that a traveler might carry if they are going far
distances. He bowed to the Elf lady, and
spoke. ‘You say that I am of the race of
Men, and that in a way is true. I am a
Man and I am not a Man, but was sent into this world in part to serve the race
of Men. And how do you know that I am a
Man? Have you talked with a Man
before? If that is true, then perhaps I
should tell your father of this.’
Then Nyérë’s words were wroth, and she said, ‘How do you know of my comings
and goings, and if I have ever met a Man?
Do not speak in riddles, old fool!
For if you are a Man, and I think that you are, then you have much to
answer for. What is your name, and from
whence do you come, and how do you know these things?’
‘My
name is Alatar the Blue, and I come from far lands that you have no knowledge
of. I have learned many things in my
time, but knowing things does not mean that one is wise. I came to these waters because the fishes are
my friends, but I knew also that you would come here, Nyérë Úvëa, daughter of the
King. For tales of your great beauty
travels far, even unto the end of the world.’
Then
Nyérë was amazed that he knew her name, and was less wroth than before. For she saw that this odd creature was kind,
and that he knew much of her and of her people.
An unlooked-for joy in her heart was kindled at the meeting of this
stranger, though she knew not why.
‘Well
met, Alatar the Blue. If you are a
traitor, then you shall soon feel the prick of my father’s sword. If not, and you are the bearer of good news,
then perhaps my father will stay his hand.’
Then Alatar followed Nyérë down the secret paths into the town below.
Now
it was that King Thirmir sat upon his carved throne of wood, and Alatar came
before him and bowed low to the ground.
He spoke with friendly words:
‘King Thirmir, Master and King of the realm of Tumna Cálë, I
come before you seeking asylum in your peaceful land. I am Alatar the Blue, and my stance towards
your people is ever peaceful. It is my
wish that you grant me leave to wander the hills and slopes of these mountains,
for I come on an errand that must not be hindered.’
‘Your wish!’ cried the King from
atop his throne. ‘Your wish shall not be
granted, conniving Man! How was it that
you entered by stealth into this hidden kingdom, and did not knock at the
door? How was it that you found my
daughter alone in the mountains? How do
I know that you have not laid some spell upon her, or wooed her ear with the
treacherous guiles of Men? The Law of
this land is Death to all who enter, and so shall it be with you!’
Then Alatar the Blue stepped forth
in the glory of his master Oromë, Huntsman of the Valar, who had chosen and
sent him into Middle-earth. A blue flame
leapt into his eyes, and it seemed that his stature grew and his voice was
filled with the authority of the Valar. Many
who were there that day claimed that far off they heard the echo of Valaróma,
the great horn of Oromë, and the braying of Nahar, his steed. Thus it was that
all lowered their heads as Alatar of the Maiar spoke, and King Thirmir groveled
on his throne.
‘I come on authority greater than
yours, Thirmir son of Téamos of the Avari!
For when your people first awoke under the light of the stars I had
already wandered this wide land hither and thither, and explored its depths and
hidden places. Where were you then,
Thirmir son of Téamos, that you should hinder my errand? Perhaps the Dark Lord has worked his evil
even here, that an emissary such as I do not gain welcome. Of olden times Men and Dwarves were welcome
in these halls, and the people grew rich in knowledge as the three kindreds
dwelt in peace, side by side.
‘Do you think that Sauron servant of
Morgoth Bauglir will deign to let you live in peace? For while his power yet holds sway in Middle-earth
he shall not rest until all the Free Peoples are cast down and trodden
underneath his feet. Therefore my wish
shall be granted, O King. Furthermore, I
revoke your unjust commandment that has held these people as slaves to this
land. For it was a decision that was
made in errant folly, and not in wisdom, as you perceived.’
Then a silence fell upon the hall,
and forever after Thirmir son of Téamos was a king in name only, for he had
been robbed of his authority. And Nyérë herself was most taken of all, to see
this old wanderer transform before her eyes.
For he spoke with the voice of one who has true authority. Thus she said to herself, ‘Surely this Man,
if he be a Man, is wont to do the will of the Valar. For I see in his eyes a goodness and justice
that this world has not known in many an age.’
Though she was moved at the plight of her father, her heart was kindled
towards Alatar, and her gaze did not leave his tall frame. Thereafter she did not rebuke him, but
welcomed his comings and goings.
The Oracle of
the Great Pike
It
happened that in Lake Amanya there dwelt a great and old Pike who had darkened
the deep places of the world ere any of the children of Illúvatar had
awoken. Alatar as a Maia spirit had also
walked the land in those days, and wandered by the lakes and streams and inlets
of Middle-earth; for he had a love for those fishes that swam in the waters,
and those birds that called the sandy beaches their homes. Thus when the great pike was yet a small fry
in the vast waters of the deeps, Alatar had sought him out and called him
friend.
Kyelek
was the name of the Father of Pike, and Ulmo, Lord of the Waters, had
christened him thus. For Ulmo said of Kyelek,
‘Thereafter thy name shall be Kyelek,
the Swift, and thou shall roam the fresh waters of the lands of Middle-earth
under the light of the stars. None shall
be thy equal in speed or prowess, and thou shall be a fearsome predator. I give thee a gift, Kyelek the Swift, Father
of Pike; for though thou art a beast and utter the speech of beasts, I grant
thee leave to speak thrice in thy life with the tongues of Man, Elf, or
Dwarf. Do not squander this gift, for of
all the other beasts that have ever lived only one other has been given this
privilege: and that is Huan the
wolfhound, most beloved of all companions, whose fate is yet untold.’
Soon after Alatar had rebuked the
King, he came back to Lake Amanya. For
it was his thought that he might meditate there, before the calm waters, and
perhaps devise what evil Sauron had sent to destroy the land. As he sat beside the lapping waters Kyelek
the Swift, Father of Pike, forsook his deep abodes and rose to the surface of
the lake. An old fish was he, and large
in length and breadth, and marred with battle wounds, for he had dwelt in the
waters of the world for many ages of the sun and stars.
And he spoke: ‘Thrice have I been given leave to speak in
the tongues of Elves, Men, and Dwarves.
This is the first time. Though
many an age has passed, and the land has been formed anew, I remember thee,
Alatar of the Maiar, and I recognize the presence of thy spirit, though then
thou wast both terrible and fair. Thou
hast ever been a friend to the fishes of this world, and to my children’s
children. Therefore by the will of Ulmo
I now tell thee what thou hast wished to know.
‘Of late these waters have been
darkened with the filth and slime of Morgoth Bauglir. For thus Sauron the Dark Lord has released
his servant Hauthmog the Cunning of the firedrakes to pillage this land and
destroy its people. Be forewarned,
Alatar the Blue: though thou art
powerful, this worm may yet by thy match.’
Then Kyelek sunk beneath the surface once more, and returned to his
domain.
This news troubled the Wizard, for
he did not reckon that Sauron would send out such a powerful minion to the
Kingdom of Tumna Cálë. He did not doubt
the words of Kyelek the Swift, but with all his craft and lore he had not
espied the dragon or signs of his passing.
Thus Alatar thought that indeed a cunning spirit rested within Hauthmog. He left the side of the lake to search the
mountains for signs of the worm, but was wary lest he come upon him unprepared.
It came to pass that once more Nyérë Úvëa came to meditate by the shores of
Lake Amanya, and to escape the ministrations of her most ardent suitor, Fönin
son of Falstag. Before, when she had met
the Blue Wizard, it was likewise for this reason that she came to these waters. Nyérë did not love Fönin, though he was fair,
for she counted him as ill-tempered and vain.
Her father approved of the match, and when Fönin asked for Nyérë’s hand
in marriage, he urged her to accept. She
refused him, but Fönin did not grow lax in his attention. For Nyérë was the daughter of the King, and
whoever married her would one day become Lord in Thirmir’s stead. The beauty of Nyérë Úvëa was renowned, for
though she had come into the world in an hour of sorrow, her complexion was as
of a flower blooming under the light of the stars. She was tall for an Elf maid, and her skin
was milky white and fair. Her hair was
raven black and her eyes were the blue of sparkling diamonds, and she carried
herself with the grace of the daughters of the Noldor of old. Thus many stood by her side, though she would
spend many hours alone weeping for her father and especially for her mother,
whom she had never known. But when she
did not weep, her mere presence would cause others near her to grow cheerful.
Nyérë
was also known for her sorrowful voice.
It is said that when she sang, the grief of all the woes of the Elves
could be heard in her voice, and it had caused more than one stalwart Elf lord
to weep. Often she would sit beside the
waters of the lake, or in the foothills of the mountains, and she would
sing. All the birds and fishes would
come to listen, and the Elf maiden counted them as her friends. Thus now she sat beside the waters of Lake
Amanya and sang to ease her troubled heart.
Beyond the twinkling of the moon, far from
this dark abyss,
Past valleys deep, and
hillocks fair, and mountains veiled in mist;
Over winding streams,
and oceans deep, and Fangorn’s dark floor,
There lies in endless beauty
fair the land of Valinor.
I long to go and dwell in
this land of undying bliss,
To feel the warmth of
Summer and forsake Winter’s cold kiss;
To wander in the gardens
fair and climb the mountains steep,
To hear the flutes of
brethren Elves and visit Manwë’s Keep.
O Valinor! Too long have
I dwelt upon these bleak shores,
Beset by doubts,
beleaguered and worn, weary of all wars.
O Valinor! I feel your breeze from the Shadowy Seas;
I hear the song of
blissful birds from all your wooded leas.
To this place I must go,
to join my sundered kindred there,
Though none may take me
to this hallowed land so dear and fair!
Many times Kyelek the Swift would come to listen to the
Elf maiden’s fair voice, and so he now drew near to hear her song. He revealed himself and Nyérë was amazed at
his great size and strength. She did not
fear him, though, for she was friends with all the fishes that dwelt in Lake
Amanya. He heaved his bulk up from the
water and spoke.
‘Thrice have I
been given leave to speak in the tongues of Elves, Men, and Dwarves. This is the second time. I am Kyelek the Swift, Father of Pikes. I speak not with mine own wisdom, but with the
wisdom of my masters, the Valar of Eä, servants of the will of Illúvatar. Long have I listened to thy song, Nyérë Úvëa, daughter of Thirmir. To these ears it is as beautiful as the songs
of the Maiar and the Valar when they walked these lands; and there is an added
depth that perhaps they lacked, for they cannot tell of the sorrow of those
that have suffered in this Middle-earth.
‘But
I do not speak thou praise alone. I come
to give thee advice and to steer true thy heart. For well thou doest to think long on matters
of the heart, for those who are immortal should not cleave unto one another
unless they are bound soul to soul. If
thou dost not love this Elf who seeks thy hand in marriage, then thou shouldst
not marry. It is better to wait and hope
than to enter into alliance with one who only seeks thy hand for power and
glory.
‘By
the powers of Ulmo I see thy heart laid bare, and know perhaps even that which
thou dost not yet know thyself. Thou
lovest the Wizard Alatar the Blue, friend of fishes, who with his staff shall
perhaps save thee from ruin. There have
been few unions among the different kindreds, and fewer still among the Maiar
and the Eldar. I do not count the union
of Elf and Man as wise, for either one must bear the long halls of eternity
alone until the sundering of Eä, or both must be brief and fading flames in
this world. But the union of Elf and
Maia I count as good, for as the years pass neither shall grow old or weary,
and their love may be ever renewed. Thus
it was between Elu Thingol and Melian, and so could it be between Nyérë Úvëa
and Alatar.’
Then
Nyérë stood astonished, and did not know what to say. For though she was kind towards the Wizard,
she did not yet think that she loved him with such a love, for she still thought
of him as of the race of Men.
‘Great
fish, strange are your words! Though this
Wizard has stirred an unlooked-for kindness in my heart, I do not yet love
him.’
‘Dost
thou then know love? Whom hast thou
loved? In his true guise Alatar the Maia
is fairer than any Elf lord, and thou wouldst perhaps be a fool to defy the
fates of Arda and deny thy heart. I go
now to seek the depths of my domain, but I will tell thee one more thing before
I depart. In the hour of Alatar’s need,
look to thy own hand if perhaps thou might gainsay the courage to do so.’ Then he disappeared beneath the gently
rolling waves and left the Elf maiden alone upon the shore.
From
this time forth Nyérë gave much thought to the words that she had heard, but
did not yet give in to all of the desires of her heart.
Fönin’s Folly
So
it was that after a time Hauthmog the Cunning came forth in full might to taunt
the Kingdom of Tumna
Cálë. His bulk issued from among the
caves and hidden places of the Mornié Mountains, and he flew seven times around
the King’s city in a cloud of black smoke, and then returned to his lair. Then
the courage of the people waned and all save one cast down their heads in
fear. For Fönin son of Falstag stood among the assembly of the Elf lords and spoke.
‘Do
we of Elven blood then cower at the feet of this dragon? We are many, and he is one. Let us then assail his lair and put his foul
carcass to the sword. Indeed, in this
hour I, and all that come with me, shall prove our worth in front of the King. And where now is this Alatar the Untrustworthy
who came before our gates and pledged allegiance to our cause? In time of our greatest need, he has
abandoned us.’
Then
some hearkened to his call and a few brave Elves pledged troth to Fönin son of
Falstag, and said, ‘Ere death we shall slay this fell beast, or he shall slay
us.’ Now Fönin spoke against Alatar
because he had shamed the King, and often he saw the gaze of Nyérë following
this Wizard, and he was envious of him.
He reasoned also that if it was by his hand that the dragon was slain,
then the princess could no longer refuse his betrothal.
Then
Elémdris son of Eléner spoke. He was old
even by the reckoning of the elves, and was renowned as one of the most
knowledgeable in history and lore. ‘Do
not be over-hasty, Fönin son of Falstag.
You know little of dragons and their ways. Few there are who can stand against the
breath of the firedrakes, save for the metal helms of the Dwarf-lords. But since we have forsaken all ties with the
other kindreds, we must face our plight alone. And it is not only by might that
the great worms of Morgoth Bauglir have triumphed, but by cunning and
treachery. Beware the dragon-spell, lest
it fall upon you! For Men of more worth
have fallen prey to a dragon’s cunning than you, Fönin son of Falstag.’
Then
Fönin was extremely wroth and walked up and down the throne room with great
strides. ‘Old fool!’ he said. ‘Pray continue to stick your nose in ancient parchments
and scrolls, while Elves of true valor protect this kingdom! Let us depart at once, for a great task lies
before us, and this scoffer would only hinder our errand.’
Fönin
gathered his companions, and besides himself there were six others who pledged
their swords to his cause. Then Fönin
was glad, for he reckoned many of these to be the most stalwart and mighty
among his brethren. He purposed to come
upon the dragon by stealth, and slay him in his own lair while he yet
slept. They departed in the waning of
the evening, and it was Nyérë who guided them to the place of the secret path
that led into the mountains, even though it was against her will. For Fönin had many times followed the Elf
princess from a distance to keep watch over her, and whether for good or for
ill he knew that she often left the leas of the foothills for higher
ground. By edict of the King Nyérë was
forced to show them the secret paths.
When they had come to the region of the lake, Fönin turned to Nyérë and
spoke.
‘Elf
princess, when my eyes fall upon your beauty my whole being rejoices. Truly a portion of starlight is captured in
your eyes, and the scent of your hair is sweeter than the gardens of
Yavanna. You have thwarted my advances
thus far, but know that when I succeed against this dragon, you may perhaps
accept my love. I would be proud to
serve as King, if you would stand by my side as Queen.’
Nyérë
spoke. ‘Do not be a fool, Fönin son of
Falstag! For though I do not love you, I
would not see you die in vain. Seek
first the council of Alatar the Blue, and perhaps he may aid you in your
endeavor. Life is too long to throw it
away in such a short time. Lessen your
pride, and perhaps then you may achieve the victory.’
Fönin
did not heed her words but drew her to himself and kissed her, though she
struggled in his arms. The others around
them stirred uneasily, for though Fönin was leader by edict of the king, they
did not like what they saw. When Fönin
released Nyérë, she fled down the hill in tears, and the Elf warriors averted
their eyes in shame.
But
Fönin gave a rousing speech, and said, ‘Let us proceed! For when the dragon is dead our kinsmen will
rejoice and shower us with many gifts. There
will be ale and food for the taking! And
it may be that many an Elf maiden will pine after us for the deeds that we have
done, we who are accounted among the mighty of this world.’ His words encouraged his companions, and they
climbed until they came to the dragon’s dwelling-place.
The
dragon dwelt in a series of dark caves, and all was dark within. Fönin commanded two other Elves to light
lanterns so that they could find their way.
They drew their swords and advanced through the caverns, cautious lest
they awake the dragon.
Suddenly
a great wind blew through the cavern, and the lanterns of the Elves were
extinguished. For Hauthmog had seen
their advance from afar, and waited until they were inside his lair. Then with the powerful beating of his wings
he created a strong gale that put his foes in the dark.
Fönin
commanded his companions to stay together, but none could hear his voice over
the roar of the wind. Thus the
companions were sundered, and thereafter it was never known what became of
them. Some perhaps were killed by the
dragon, and others fell in the dark places of the caves, and still others
wandered in weariness seeking the light of day until their strength waned. But Fönin son of Falstag alone came to the
dragon’s lair, whether by chance or by fate.
He
could see nothing, and could only smell an unbearable stench. Then the dragon, which lay on a ledge above
him, let a puff of flame and smoke rise from his nostrils, and Fönin saw his
enemy.
‘Well
met, Fönin son of Falstag,’ quoth the dragon.
‘Thou hast come to slay me, Hauthmog, last of the great firedrakes. Who now stays thy hand? Where art thy companions?’ Then Fönin was speechless, and he looked up
at the dragon into his great eye and fell into a swoon. Many who were greater than he had tried to
fight that baleful gaze, and had failed, as he did now. Under the spell of the dragon-eye he fell speechless,
as one who is mute, and he could not move.
Then Gauthmog mocked him, saying, ‘How easy is it to defeat the greatest
servant of Sauron, Elf-lad? Thou knowest
nothing of evil and its ways, and perhaps thou art even more a fool than thy
king.’ Then Gauthmog heaved his bulk
past the Elf and slithered out of the caves, leaving him frozen under the
spell.
A Game of
Riddles
Hauthmog
the Cunning purposed to destroy the town and its inhabitants ere the light of
day, but as of yet he knew nothing of the Blue Wizard. Thus as he flew down the mountain he espied a
lone man standing at the edge of the lake, and he landed on a great boulder
that was upthrust near the shore.
Now
Alatar cast his gaze downward upon the sand, and would not look at the dragon
or meet his gaze. For he knew of the
dragon-spell, and did not wish to fall under it.
‘Well
met, son of Man!’ quoth the dragon.
‘Thou art worth many of these Elves, who know not of my power and my strength. Who art thou, and from whence dost thou come?’
‘Well
met, Hauthmog the Cunning of the firedrakes, spawn of Ancalagon the Black,
servant of Sauron the Dark Lord. I am
Alatar the Blue, and have come to fell the evil in these lands that has
lingered with the stench of Morgoth Bauglir, the curséd one. And you shall not pass this lake, or harm the
inhabitants of this city, lest my body be broken on these rocks and my spirit
return to the lands beyond the four corners of this world.’
Then
the dragon hissed, and a belch of smoke poured from his mouth. ‘Alatar the Blue! I have not heard of thee, but I see that thou
art not of the race of Men, to make such claims. For many are the Men in these lands, and all
have fallen under the dominion of my Lord and Master. But if thou must have death, then I shall
give it to thee.’
Hauthmog
might have then destroyed the Wizard, but Alatar held up his hand and
spoke. ‘Do not move so quick to your
doom, great worm! Oft times I have heard
of your cunning, and it is said that even Glaurung and Smaug did not have your
wit. Would it be not better if we were
to solve this by a battle of wits? Then
one of us would emerge victorious, and the other would be cast down into this
lake to his doom.’
It
is said that if dragons have a weakness other than gold, that it is pride. Therefore Hauthmog the Cunning lay his bulk
back down upon the rock and pondered this challenge. ‘Thou wouldst try to battle me in a game of
wits? I am not a fool, O Alatar the
Mysterious. This battle of wits may be
to my liking, but in direct combat I would ever be the victor. Nevertheless, let us then fight with our
minds rather than with claw and steel, and perhaps thou may emerge the victor.
‘I
shall pose to thee a riddle, and thou shall answer. Then thou shall get thy turn. Three times I shall pose a question, and
three times thou wilt answer. And if
thou dost not know the answer, thou wilt be cast down into the deeps. ’
‘Very
well,’ Alatar said. ‘But why should you
get the first riddle, and therefore be at an advantage?’
The
dragon laughed, a great roaring laugh that shook the mountains. ‘Well met indeed, Alatar the Blue! Thou art no fool. The first riddle is mine because I have agreed
to your game. I could eat thee where thy
stand instead, if thou dost not think it fair.’
‘It
is fair enough. Proceed, great worm,’
Alatar said. Then the dragon hissed his
first riddle.
‘Its
hide is strong,
Its
spear is long;
Its
tongue is dumb,
Its
wit is numb.’
Alatar
thought for a moment and then answered.
“A cave-troll! You will have to
do better than that to defeat a Wizard, dragon!
Now answer my riddle.
‘Shadow,
stench, and stone;
Rubbish,
filth, and bone;
Silver,
gold, and jade;
Mithril,
helm, and blade.’
The
dragon let loose a cloud of smoke and pondered the riddle. ‘A dragon-hoard!’ he answered. ‘Thou might mark something rubbish which to
me is treasure. Perhaps I may yet make a
dragon-hoard in this mountain, and use the plunder of the Elves. Now it is my turn, Alatar the Blue. This time, I shall truly test thy wit.’ Then the dragon spoke his second riddle.
‘Its
teeth are jagged,
Its top is ragged,
Its tramp is loud,
Its carriage is proud.’
Then
Alatar sat by the lake and ran a hand through his great beard. ‘This one is more difficult it seems, but not
impossible. Is it an army marching to
war?’
‘Yes,’
hissed the dragon.
‘Now
you will answer my second riddle. Listen
carefully, Hauthmog son of Ancalagon the Black, or you may soon meet your
demise.
‘It
eats and eats, but hungers still;
It
has no life, harbors no will;
It
does not hate, wishes none ill.’
The
dragon lifted his bulk off of the stone and flapped his wings. He belched a narrow swath of flame into the
air, and then landed again. ‘Thou had me
for a moment, Wizard. It is a fire,
whose appetite can never be sated or controlled. Now hearken to my third and final riddle, and
see whether thou canst answer it.
‘What
has white hair,
Is void
of all air,
Down,
down it goes,
Where,
no one knows?’
‘It
has white hair?’ Alatar muttered. “These are difficult words, dragon.’ Then he strode up and down the length of the
shore while the dragon mocked him.
‘Surely
this is an easy riddle, protector of the Elves.
Thou hast no wit if thou canst not answer it.’ And the dragon made ready to cast the Wizard
into the lake.
‘Aha!’
Alatar said. ‘The white hair is
foam! The answer is the ocean.’ Then Hauthmog rent a deep furrow in the
ground in rage, but Alatar lifted up his staff and spoke once more. ‘You have sworn to uphold this game to its
end, fell dragon. It is time that I
spoke my third and final riddle, and it is as follows.
‘A tool
without handle, wheel, or blade;
For
both poor and rich men is this thing made.’
The
dragon sat a long while in thought, the smoke rising from his nostrils. Alatar watched him closely, holding his staff
ready. Hauthmog finally reared his great
armored body up and said, ‘This was a hard riddle, for I shall never have use
of this thing. But it is a shoe, or boot,
and now we meet a stalemate in our game, Wizard.’
Hauthmog
drew his great body into the air, and released a vast swath of dragon-breath
that scorched all of the land in-between him and the Wizard. But Alatar swept his staff upward and spoke
words to the waters of the lake. Then a
multitude of rushing water swirled in a torrent and met the fire in the
air. A great volume of steam was
released by this meeting of elements, and when it had cleared Alatar found that
the dragon had circled around him.
Then
Hauthmog the Cunning dove downward with great speed, and with his claws he rent
a wound in Alatar’s side and knocked his staff from him. Then all would have perhaps been lost, and
Hauthmog might have had the victory, but for the Elf-maid Nyérë Úvëa. For after leaving the ill-fated adventurers,
she had circled around and came back to the lake.
Thus
it was that Nyérë saw Alatar lying wounded on the ground without his staff, and
the dragon coming around for the final assault.
In that moment Nyérë remembered the words of the Great Pike, who said
thus: ‘In the hour of Alatar’s need,
look to thy own hand if perhaps thou might gainsay the courage to do so.’ Therefore she took Anqualë her dagger and ran
towards the field of battle.
Now
Hauthmog was wholly focused on the Wizard, and he did not see Nyérë running
towards him. Thus Nyérë threw the dagger
Anqualë at the belly of the great beast when he was above her, and fate guided
her aim. For though the armor of dragons
cannot be pierced by sword or axe, their belly is soft and may receive a
wound. Then Hauthmog shrieked his death-cry
when he felt the dagger enter his lungs, and fell from the sky as a burning
star. It is said that those who heard
the death-cry of the dragon would ever remember it, for in it was both
suffering and evil that cannot be measured.
Then
Nyérë ran to Alatar, who lay wounded upon the shore of Lake Amanya, and cradled
his head in her lap. Great is the
knowledge of healing lore of the Elves, and Nyérë had been trained some in that
craft. Thus she cleaned Alatar’s wound,
and wrapped it in a piece of cloth torn from her skirt. Then she also wept, and her tears fell into
the wound. It is said that the tears of
the Elf-maiden may also heal, for in their sorrow they hold a great power. Not far from there, in a wooded area, she
found the plant Athelas, commonly called Kingsfoil, and she used this to drive
away the darkness in the Wizard’s wound.
For without this plant the wound would have rotted with the stench of
the dragon, and Alatar would have died.
Then
Nyérë would have gone to the dragon, and recovered her blade, but Alatar
stopped her. For he said, ‘Beloved
Elf-maiden, do not worry about the fate of your blade. For the black blood of dragons is poison, and
it is better that both knife and victim go down to the grave together.’
Then
Nyérë sat for a time beside the Wizard, and her gaze was both loving and
kind. Alatar was amazed, both that she
would look upon him thus and that she had slain the dragon. And he said, ‘You have slain the evil worm,
Hauthmog the Swift. Where greater powers
have failed, the power of your hand has conquered. Thus name anything, Nyérë Úvëa, and if it is
in my authority to grant it to you as a boon, I shall do so.’
Then
Nyérë said, ‘I require no boon save thy love, my lord. For it was out of love for thee that I slew this
fell beast. Perhaps it was not my hand
that guided the dagger, but fate’s.’
Then forever after the two were knit in one spirit.
While
she tended Alatar, Kyelek the Swift once more rose to the surface of Lake
Amanya, and spoke thus: ‘Thrice have I
been given leave to speak in the tongues of Elves, Men, and Dwarves. This is the third and final time. Of all beings I perhaps know you both best,
blessed of Maiar and Elves. For in the
early days I was comforted with thy presence, Alatar the Blue of the
Maiar. And long have I listened to thy
song, Nyérë Úvëa of the Elves. Therefore I put my blessing upon thy house
forever, so that no shadow of the woes of this world shall lie upon thee. Be blessed forevermore, until the sundering of
this world.’ Having thus spoken, the
pike swam back down to the depths of the lake.
Now
Hauthmog lay for a time on the ground, but then his evil spirit departed and he
lay dead. Thus it was that Fönin was
released from the dragon-spell, and knew then how he had been shamed. Thinking that all the rest of his brethren
must have been slaughtered, and the city ravaged along with Nyérë Úvëa,
princess of the King, he cast himself into a deep hole. So ended Fönin son of Falstag, in part by the
dragon’s guile, in part by his own hand.
Journey to the
Undying Lands
For
threescore days Nyérë Úvëa cared for Alatar the Blue, and was ever-faithful and
stayed by him. Ever she wept or sung by
his side, and her voice and tears helped to heal the Wizard of his wounds. They burned the body of the dragon and a foul
stench arose from his carcass, and forever after no green thing would grow in
that place. And when this time had
passed, the Wizard was once again strong and hale. The Elves held a great feast, and Nyérë and
Alatar were wed amidst great joy. Then
the king and the other elders took council with Alatar, and he spoke to them.
‘These
days are evil, and you must decide the fate of your people. For either you must join your standard to the
cause of good in these lands, and fight against the evil of Sauron, or you must
seek the light of Valinor, where most of your brethren now dwell. It is not decreed that Elves should stay in Middle-earth
forever, for it has been given to the kindred of Men. But some Elves shall stand with Man ere the
end, and whether they perish together or defeat the powers of evil in this
world, I know not. But my task in this Middle-earth
is finished. Therefore take council with
your people, King Thirmir, and choose together what course you deem wise.’
Then
all of the people gathered together, and the majority was for journeying to the
Undying Lands. For they knew little of
the plight of Men in this age, and did not wish to perish in that fight, as
they thought. Then Alatar led the people
of Tumna
Cálë up out of the East, and they took only what they could carry with
them. He guided them through the deep,
dark places of the world, beyond the gaze of Sauron, and the journey was not
without peril. For it is told of how
King Thirmir son of Téamos perished in an earthquake, and some of his people
with him.
But after a long journey under
mountains and across seas, the Elves came at last to Valinor, and were welcomed
in that land. Alatar the Blue then took
on his true form, of a pure and mighty Maia spirit strong in wisdom and in
kindness, and lived in peace and love with Nyérë Úvëa, daughter of the Elves, until the sundering of Eä.
Thus ends our tale
Glossary of Important Words
I’ve created a short glossary with words that appear
in my story. This will be helpful to new
and old Tolkien fans alike, for much of what I have written about does not
appear in the Lord of the Rings, but in other works such as The
Silmarillion. I haven’t included any
words or characters that I made up; this glossary only includes Tolkien's work. I’ve
tried to be as brief as possible, although many of these words have vast
histories behind them. If you see a word
in the story that I’ve missed, please let me know so that I can add it to this
list.
Ancalagon
the Black: Greatest of
all firedrakes (dragons).
Arda: The Earth
Avari: Quenya for ‘refusers.’ Those Elves who chose to remain in
Middle-earth.
Balrog: Corrupted Maia spirits who
served Morgoth Bauglir. They often bore
great black whips in battle.
Barad-dûr: The Dark Tower inside of Mordor
where the Eye of Sauron dwelt.
Cuiviénen: The Eastern land of Middle-earth in which the
Elves awoke.
Dark Lord: See Sauron.
Dragon: Great beasts created by Morgoth
Bauglir to serve evil. Also called
‘Worms.’ There are two main types –
cold-drakes, who slither along the ground, and firedrakes, who fly and breathe
fire.
Dragon-hoard: Dragons will often collect
silver, gold, precious jewels, weapons, and other objects and guard them
jealously.
Dwarves: They do not appear directly in
this tale, but are a short and hearty race in Middle-earth most adept at
quarrying and smithying. Often called
‘Stunted Ones’ by Elves.
Eä: Quenya for ‘universe’ – all that
exists
Easterlings: An offshoot of Men who live in
the East lands of Middle-earth.
Edain: Sindarin for ‘Second
People.’ The house of Men, who awoke
second after the Elves in Middle-earth.
Eldar: Those Elves who accepted the
summons to Valinor.
Elu
Thingol: King of the
Sindar Elves who married Melian the Maia.
Elves: The first race to awaken under
the stars. Elves are immortal but can
die through sword or pestilence. They
are mightiest in force of arms, wisdom, and knowledge in Middle-earth.
Fangorn: Sindarin for ‘Beardtree.’ An old forest in Middle-earth.
Firedrake: A dragon that can fly and
breathe fire.
Gandalf
the Grey: One of the
five Istari (Wizards) sent out by the Valar to combat Sauron in
Middle-earth. Gandalf helped to guide
the Fellowship of the Ring and was a key figure in many of the battles in the
Third Age. He is renamed Gandalf the
White after his return from his fight with the Balrog in Moria.
Glaurung: Father of all dragons. A cold-drake, he could only slither along the
ground.
Gondolin: A mighty, hidden Elvish city
that eventually falls to Morgoth Bauglir and his minions. It can be seen as the prototype for the city
in this tale.
Helcar: See Inland Sea of Helcar.
Huan
the Wolfhound: Also called
The Hound of Valinor, he is an instrumental figure in the tale of Beren and
Lúthien. For this story, it is most
important that he was given leave to speak thrice in his life.
Illúvatar: Eru Illúvatar is the being who
created the world. In Quenya, Eru means
‘The One,’ and Illúvatar means ‘Father of all.’
Inland
Sea of Helcar: A sea in
the Eastern lands of Middle-earth that was destroyed during the War of Wrath.
Istari: Elvish name for Wizards. See Wizards.
Kelvar
and olvar: In Quenya, Kelvar are the animals of Middle-earth,
and Olvar are the plants of
Middle-earth.
Maiar
(singular Maia): Lesser
Valar who nonetheless have significant powers, knowledge, and wisdom. Many Maiar chose to follow a particular Vala
(for example, Ossë chose to follow Ulmo, and Sauron chose to follow Melkor).
Manwë: King of the Valar, he is lord of
winds, air, and clouds.
Melian
the Maia: Follower of
Yavanna, she married Elu Thingol of the Elves and cared for the living things
of Middle-earth.
Melkor: See Morgoth Bauglir.
Men: Second-born of Illúvatar’s
children. Men are mortal and die of old
age, but are still capable of great deeds.
Middle-earth: The birth-place of Men, Elves,
and Dwarves. The Dark Lord Sauron seeks
to rule the entire continent. The bulk
of this story’s action takes place in this land.
Mordor: Sauron’s evil stronghold in
Middle-earth.
Morgoth
Bauglir: The great enemy
of the Valar. He is of the Valar
himself, and all evil originates with him.
Sauron is his lieutenant. He is
defeated in the War of Wrath, though his evil spirit lingers in the world. Before his fall, he is known as Melkor.
Moria: An ancient underground Dwarf
kingdom.
Noldor: One of the greatest peoples of
the Elves.
Orcs: Twisted servants of evil made
from the tortured bodies of Elves.
Oromë: One of the Valar, he is a great
huntsman. His hunting horn is called
Valaróma and his steed is called Nahar.
Quenya: Primary language of the Elves in
the Undying Lands and Middle-earth.
Radagast
the Brown: One of the
five Istari (Wizards) sent out by the Valar to combat Sauron in Middle-earth. He loves most the animals and plants of
Middle-earth, and does not figure prominently in the tales of the Third Age.
Rhûn: A large land region in Eastern
Middle-earth.
Saruman
the White: One of the
five Istari (Wizards) sent out by the Valar to combat Sauron in Middle-earth. The strongest of the Istari, he is also
corrupted by Sauron and becomes an ally of evil.
Sauron: Morgoth’s chief lieutenant. Though Morgoth perishes, Sauron lives on and
again takes form in the Third Age. He
seeks to gain control of Middle-earth, but is eventually defeated.
Sindarin: A secondary Elvish tongue spoken
in Middle-earth by the Sindarin Elves, or Grey Elves. In its simplest structure, it is an estranged
form of Quenya.
Smaug: A great firedrake who is the
antagonist in The Hobbit.
Sundering
of Eä: The end of
the world.
Trolls: Large, evil creatures of great
strength. Trolls are also known for
their stupidity and love of flesh, whether it be man, elf, or hobbit.
War
of Wrath: A
cataclysmic conflict in which Morgoth was defeated. It reshaped much of the land in Middle-earth.
Wizard: In this tale, Wizard refers to
those five Maiar spirits in the guise of old men who were sent out by the Valar
to Middle-earth to combat Sauron and to aid the free peoples.
Ulmo: One of the Valar, he is the lord
of waters.
Undying
Lands: See
Valinor.
Valar
(singular Vala): The
principal spiritual beings of Illúvatar’s creation. They dwell in Valinor and wield great power,
knowledge, and wisdom.
Valinor: Also called the ‘Undying Lands.’ The dwelling-place of the Valar and many
Elves, it is said to be the most beautiful continent of Arda (the Earth), and
evil does not dwell there.
Yavanna: One of the Valar, she cares for
living and growing things.
List of Further
Readings
I used many of these books while writing this fan
fiction piece. Any Tolkien fan will want
to read them all. If you would like a
further description of these works, or need help finding them, please let me
know and hopefully I can steer you in the right direction.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Hobbit by J.R.R.
Tolkien
The Silmarillion by
J.R.R. Tolkien
Unfinished Tales by
J.R.R. Tolkien
The Book of Lost Tales, Part One and Part Two by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Children of Húrin by J.R.R. Tolkien
A Tolkien Bestiary by
David Day
Tolkien’s Ring by
David Day
A Guide to Middle-earth by Robert Foster
Author’s Thoughts
It was quite fun, but also challenging,
to write this fan fiction piece. There
are so many people, places, and things in Tolkien’s world that it is hard to
get everything straight. If there are
any errors in this work, especially with translation, they are mine
alone. Please let me know and I will try
to fix them. I think that the hardest
part of writing this story was definitely coming up with decent riddles. I very loosely based the format of the
riddles on the ones told in The Hobbit by Bilbo and Gollum, if you
remember reading those. I hope they all
make sense once you know the answer. A
fun game might be to ask others you know to see if they can guess the
riddles. Thank you to everyone who
participated in the riddle that I put up on my Facebook! The other greatest challenge was trying to
come up with my own names that appear at least slightly credible next to
Tolkien’s. I think I have managed at
least a decent attempt in this regard. Some
of the names were just made up on the spot, and some are actually part of
translations from Quenya. It was also
interesting to write in the style that Tolkien adopted in The Silmarillion
and other writings, because it is a more archaic form of English. You may have noticed that the dragon, Valar,
and other characters talk with ‘thees’ and ‘thous.’ While this may be weighty prose, I believe
that Tolkien chose to do this because it set certain characters apart from
others. In this matter, I have simply
adopted his conventions. The last matter
I wish to discuss is Nyérë’s Song. I patterned it after Galadriel’s Song, which
is 14 lines long and contains 14 syllables in each line. The rhyme scheme is AABB. I don’t write much poetry, but when I do it’s
always a great deal of fun. Thank you
for reading this! If you have any
thoughts, comments, questions, or reactions, please post them in the comment
section below. Who were your favorite characters? Which characters didn't you like? If you have a friend who
might be interested in reading this, by all means please share it with them. I only ask that if you do copy it elsewhere,
that you would provide a link to the original posting and keep my name with the
writing.
Thank
you,
M.R.
Michel
