THE HIDDEN KEY

The Mysterious Figure

Gilford headed across the room and sat down on the corner of a large bed. His eyes fell upon a large beautiful, sculptured marble fireplace as he gazed deeply into the fire. Why does the king yearn for Morgorth's Blade so badly? It's no different to any other sword. He crossed his arms, touching his lips with his fingers. How am I going to find the sword without a map?

Footsteps echoed outside in the hallway and seemed to get louder as they closer to his room until they abruptly halted outside his door...

Gilford turned and stared at the stout wooden door...the cast iron ring on the latch screeched when it started to turn. "Hello, is anyone there?"

There was no answer...

Gilford uncrossed his arms and slowly got up. His heart pounded and his hands trembled while he stared at the door as it slipped off the iron latch and slowly creaked open. His stomach started to churn while he waited to find out who was outside. "Who's there, answer me!"

Still no answer...

Gilford headed across the room towards the doorway to find out who was outside his room. His heart bound as he slowly peered around the corner of the doorway...there was nobody there. Who opened the door? A heavy sigh parted his lips as he shut the door and turned around...there resting on the bed was a folded sheet of paper. Where did that come from?

He made his way back towards the bed. His eyes fell on the letter while he gazed at it. His hands and fingers trembled as he reached for it. Who could have...

He picked it up and slowly unfolded the piece of paper, hoping to find out who had written it...but all it said was to meet someone after nightfall.

Gilford scrunched the piece of paper up in his hand and tossed it into the fireplace and sat down on the corner of the bed. Where does the person want to meet me?

He gazed at the orange and yellow flames while they flickered in the fireplace and as he touched his chin with his fingers...footsteps echoed in the hallway again and stopped outside the door...then someone knocked on the door.

"Come in." Gilford glanced across at the door. His eyes fell upon the cast iron ring on the latch that screeched as it started to turn...the door slowly creaked open and a soldier entered the room and closed the door.

The soldier stared at Gilford. "Have you ever wielded a weapon before?"

"No, I haven't used a weapon before." Gilford stared at him. His eyes fell upon the sword inside the decorative leather scabbard that hung from the brass buckled belt around his waist while gazing at the blood-red jewels that were embedded in the pommel and cross-guard.

"Then, you'll need to train before you set off on, you're journey tomorrow." The soldier turned and exited the room.

Gilford stood up and rushed after the soldier. His breath rasped as he entered the garden, hoping that the maiden he had passed earlier was still there. But she wasn't. Where did she go? It would have been nice to meet her. He paused and gazed at the white bench where the maiden had sat earlier.

"We need to keep moving?" The soldier turned to him.

Gilford turned towards the soldier. "Who was the maid that was in the garden earlier?"

The soldier turned and made his way down through the door without saying anything.

Gilford rushed through the door and out across the courtyard towards an archery range. The soldier who had come to his room was talking to another soldier, who was clutching a bow in his hand. "Who is this?"