Fourth Poem from Malek
Malek poem 3
The trumpet's call announced an arrival
Whom the grim lord greeted to his kingly court.
And courtiers crowded to meet the Lord
Sent to speak for the Watery Land.
Among the rest
the dark sea elves came
to become Sylvan guest.
The Marid smiled, benignly bowed,
Wishing them well with liquid voice.
Seuse, he noted, his Lady and liege,
Was friend to their folk since the sea faring Age.
His thin lips smiled
as a shark’s might that stalked
Prey in the wild.
Their talk soon turned by delicate degrees
To the mail to be made for the land's own lord.
That grim lord laughed and with braggart's boast
Said that they should be finest friends
Since both in their worth
worked to make him
the strongest on earth.
Their words wound on to meaningless matters
And soon they stopped when others arrived.
His evil eyes, though, caught Unglak’s face
And scanned and studied each feature and fault
As if there he read
with gruesome pleasure
ancient tales of dread.
The seasons spun with ponderous pace
From Summer to Spring, and the fiery forge
Roared red-hot in a hollow hall
Where metal's might was shaped by skill,
Where anvil sang
where bellows hissed
and heavy hammers rang.
And Fèglin, furtive, with soft-paced steps
Lurked where the Lord was wont to walk,
In sunlight strolling, head to head,
Closely consulting Seuse’s ambassador.
And her Gnomish ears
heard what they said
confirming her fears.
If our friendship is firm, we stand established,
strong and sure. My lord would ally
his crown to your cause, securing your strength
Should rivals arise. As sign and seal
Will he give you a gem
potent with power.
And one more thing
The ambassador added, with whispering words:
My lord by your leave, a matter to mark:
Lord Fringol has stated, and so it is certain:
That elf once escaped my Potentate's prisons;
His features remind him
Of unfinished business
He would put behind him.
The water lord grinned, his sharp teeth shining.
I need him now, nor would it be wise
To give a guest into hostile hands.
Yet robbers are rife; when he leaves my lands
Would any think it strange
Were he caught by ambush
Covertly arranged?