4. Under the Orocarni

A candle crawls through hollow hills,
Barren bleakness, inner earth,
Quiet coldness, darkness dim,
Eery echoes, barren bones.
The dark doors gape,
- the hallways stretch -
- and yawn before each passing shape. -

The candle quivers, as spirits seek
And welcome warmth in liquid light.
Up winding ways, down steps and stairs,
Past quiet caves, subsurface streams -
Whose footsteps fall
- and echo once, -
- or not at all? -

'What's that? Who's there?' - Alert, unseen
A sentry speaks in challenge changed
To quavering crowds. His swift soft whisper
Harsher sounds
- like shattering shards -
- or baying hounds. -

The shadows shake as lights are lit
Framing faces, haloing hair
Auburn, ebony, red as rust.
The sentry staring, smiles, struck mute:
- Who stands there armed -
- with sword and flute? -

'Daeron? I dream! In our hidden halls?
'Such art unbidden, honor undreamt-of,'
'Unlikely laughter, heart's grief healing!'
'What draws you down from the upper land?'
- 'Some urgent errand?' -
- 'Some oath's demand?' -

'Mercy.'

'Their captors killed by arrow's arc,'
'These ladies live, and living, grieve,'
'To loss unreconciled.'
- And widowed one yet bears-
- her husband's child.' -

'Welcome to Gonnmar!' the gate guard cried,
'Secret stronghold of the Eastern elves.'
'Though wary or weary, though hunted or harried,'
'Or by memory haunted,'
- 'Here there is peace,' -
- 'and beauty undaunted.' -