TALE OF LEGOLAS AND RAENASLEE (LOTR STORY)

THE KING OF THE DEAD

CHAPTER 25

THE KING OF THE DEAD

“Reputation is what other people know about you. Honor is what you know about yourself.” 

― Lois McMaster Bujold, A Civil Campaign

“Just where do you think you’re off to?” Gimli asked as Aragorn passed.

“Not this time. This time you must stay Gimli.” Aragorn said sadly.

“Hmm…” Is Gimli’s reply.

“Have you learnt nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves?” Legolas said and came up behind Aragorn with Arod.

“Or the ridiculousness of elves?” Raenaslee said holding Emilyra.

 “You might as well accept it. We’re going with you laddie.” Gimli said and stood up. Aragorn smiled and led them to the Dimholt gate.

They travelled through barren cannon the air was dry and cool.

“What kind of army would linger in such a place?”Gimli asked as the footfalls of the horses echoed against the canyon walls.

“One that is cursed. Long ago the men of the mountains swore an oath to the last King of Gondor to come to his aid, to fight. But when the time came, when Gondor’s need was dire, they fled vanishing into the darkness of the mountain. And so Isildur cursed them, never to rest until they had fulfilled their pledge. Who shall call them from the grey twilight, the forgotten people? The heir of him to whom the oath they swore. From the North shall he come, need shall drive him. He shall pass the door to the Paths of the Dead.” Legolas said as they rode.

“The very warmth of my blood seems stolen away.” Gimli said.

They reached the doors to the doorway under the mountain, they all dismounted and stepped closer to the door; there was an inscription above it. “The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead and the dead keep it. The way is shut.” Legolas read.

A cold wind blew through the doorway, Emilyra, Brego and Hasufel spooked and headed back down the mountain.

“Brego!” Aragorn shouted after the horse.

“I do not fear death!” Aragorn said stubbornly and walked through the door, Legolas followed him. Then Raenaslee follows the males.

“Well this is a thing unheard of. Elves will go underground, where a dwarf dare not. Oh. Oh, I’d never hear the end of it.” Gimli said from behind.

Aragorn found a torch and they walked through dank tunnels that smell of mold and mildew.

“What is it? What do you see?” Gimli asked.

“I see shapes of men and of horses.” Legolas replied.