View source for 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?