First Poem from Malek
Poem found on the way into Malek (in the room full of corpses):
NEGATIVE - 7 = dusk
Dim in dusk, dark fields and forests lay ---- dusk = heading into dark => implies move to negative age Start point is on -ve side but also indicates close to a pivot between light and dark
Open, exposed to lengthening light. ----conversely, this implies that light (+ve) is increasing? Moving in a +ve direction towards the light
Golden beams glinted on heads and helms ----good light on a battlefield? +ve forces winning the day
Silently slipping from forest fastness ---- elves leaving the Sylvan Forest Causes other elves to leave ?
Into open twilight ---- openly following evil's path ...and to follow another -ve path
reaching the road ---- they set foot deliberately on the road to Evil where a clear route is shown to them
on the verge of night. ---- again implies heading into darkness ...a split in the Elvish yet balancing +ve & -ve
AN OUTER PLANE- 7 = underground
They were awaited: one in sable silk ---- Black Silk could be Malor Lanzi agrees
Bowed gravely in greeting, held out his hand,
Wishing welcome to His Lady’s lands. ---- on behalf of a female ruler (probably Hel or Inwe) Malor welcoming Inwe to Hel's domain)
The riders reined in, their heavy helms
Revealing elvish eyes:
Sylvan, unyielding ---- Sylvan elves leave a forest openly heading toward evil
Wary, yet wise. ---- Malor welcomes Sylvan into Hel's or Inwe's domain? Hel's I think - Lanzi
The first 2 verses are either side of one door on the same wall; the next 5 verses are all on one wall. The poem reads naturally anti-clockwise around the room
FIRE - 7 = fumerole or in the volcano
Hunched on the heights, a castle crowned the crag: ---- Castle on a mountain? A minas? or Ratorain Tower?
In fading light it loomed stark and strong. ---- again fading light => +ve to -ve transition
The cobblestones clattered; flaming torches flared ---- stone = earth; flame = fire
Shielding corners in shadows that dipped and danced. ---- dancing shadows, evil ascendant?
They entered the hall: ----
bright gold, crystal ---- bright gold => good but crystal => Sarnim Stone; is a good shard here?
a fire-lined wall. ---- a volcano?
possibly NEGATIVE - 7 = maybe be a negative outer plane; planes of Hades / Hel = Nilfelheim
The master of his Hall sat in state = Hades himself ---- in state => in death => a Lich Lord?
Tall as a tower, gaunt, with gleaming eyes. ---- a giant?
Briefly they bowed, then stood silent, still
Like statues in a tyrant's tomb. ''---- tomb => -ve
The tall lord smiled
as a hunter might ---- a predator/killer
to something once wild. ---- he is patronising so possibly ancient?
This is another natural break between 'where to go' and 'what to do'
- 8
'Welcome,' he said, 'And where is the smith,'
'Whose skill is famed near and far?'
One stirred and stepped forward; softly spoke:
'The smith stands before you, for Orodruin has come,' ---- possibly Orodruin has come to a Lich Lord?
'And would learn from your lips what price you would pay.'
And his face was cold ---- cold => ice = -ve water
his voice polite
and utterly controlled. ---- I think Orodruin is not evil; he is not happy to be here...
- 7
'Have you skill sufficient,' said that Master of Drow, Master of Drow = ruler of Drow = Hel or Hades in Greek mythos
'Armour to make unbreakable by man?' ---- unbreakable by 'man' but not by 'woman'; schoolboy error
'No price may be paid for the perfect piece,'
'But gifts I may give, exchange priceless for perfect.' ---- bartering artefacts??
Thus the grim lord ---- grim => -ve
offered for armour
a choice from his hoard. ---- what did Guerin have left to offer Orodruin?
- 8
'If the metal is mithril,' the Half Gnome answered,
'My skill could shape it strong and sure.'
'But armour unbreakable? Only Powers could prove it, ---- Powers => Gods?
'Or battering of battle, though the smith should strive'
'Armour to make unbreakable by man.' ---- 'by man', Orodruin exploits the poor choice of words (as per badly cast wish)?
'But what, great lord,'
might you have to offer
from the depths of your hoard? ---- what did the armour cost ...?