Third Poem from Malek

Malek Poem 3

Deep they descended to a hidden hall

Locked with locks, secured with seals.

The narrow gate gaped, they walked within

Dazzled by dance of flickering flames

On diamond and mithril

serried arms and armour

jewels and precious metal.

Their bright brands glanced on stunning stone

Which flashed in the flame like a subterranean star:

And its rose-red ruby like a captive king

Lay enfolded in flowers of moulded mithril.

The Half-Gnome held his breath

at treasure long-lost

in ancient years of death.

He looked at the lord matching eye to eye

And slowly smiled as if to challenge with charm.

'If the mail I make can break the blows

Of your strongest soldier, O Master of Elves,

Would you call this stone an equal exchange?'

And so they agreed

one lustful for power,

The other, from need.

The high-roofed hall given to guests

Echoed with anger and whiplash of words.

Her face aflame, her eyes ablaze

Fèglin, his wedded wife

Spoke for them all

as they huddled close

in that alien hall.

'Make that murderer's armour? His promise to pay

'Is as constant as cobwebs and as safe as a storm!'

'And what can he offer but ill-gotten gains,'

'The pillage and plunder of countless halls?'

Then from her lips a wild cry burst

'Such utter folly

'This has been from the first!'

'That elf has Sarnim!' So Unglak cried

'That my father found and my mother bore!'

'That price will I pay, and risk what I must

'To ransom their relic from this house of dust!'

Fèhaglin sighed: 'And also strive,

'Gaining the treasure,

'to reach home alive.'

Shrouded in shadows that dipped and danced

The three softly spoke in their gnomish speech

Of cares, contingencies, methods, means,

Secrets, circumstances, purposes, plans:

Lest fear at night

should catch them aground

lacking wings for flight.