Editing Unglak and the Stone (section)

== Unglak and Orodruin in the halls of the Drow ==

Dim in dusk, dark fields and forests lay

Open, exposed to lengthening light.

Golden beams glinted on heads and helms

Silently slipping from forest fastness

Into open twilight

reaching the road

on the verge of night.  


They were awaited: one in sable silk

Bowed gravely in greeting, held out his hand,

Wishing welcome to His Lady’s lands.

The riders reined in, their heavy helms

Revealing elvish eyes:

Sylvan, unyielding

Wary, yet wise. 


Hunched on the heights, a castle crowned the crag:

In fading light it loomed stark and strong.

The cobblestones clattered; flaming torches flared

Shielding corners in shadows that dipped and danced.

They entered the hall:

bright gold, crystal

a fire-lined wall. 


The master of his Hall sat in state

Tall as a tower, gaunt, with gleaming eyes.

Briefly they bowed, then stood silent, still

Like statues in a tyrant's tomb.

The tall lord smiled

as a hunter might 

to something once wild. 


'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,'

'And would learn from your lips what price you would pay.'

And his face was cold

his voice polite

and utterly controlled. 


'Have you skill sufficient,' said that master of Drow,

'Armour to make unbreakable by man?'

'No price may be paid for the perfect piece,'

'But gifts I may give, exchange priceless for perfect.'

Thus the grim lord

offered for armour

a choice from his hoard. 


'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,

'Or battering of battle, though the smith should strive'

'Armour to make unbreakable by man.'

'But what, great lord,'

might you have to offer

from the depths of your hoard?