The Dark Tower

Chapter 2 - Of Naiads and Niggles

Gandalf arrived the following day with a small troop of men, but no Aragorn or Boromir.

‘Beth, my dear,’ he said, bowing low. I ignored the formalities and gave him a big hug.

‘So good to see you,’ I said.

‘I hear you had a narrow escape from Sauron’s brother?’

‘Best not call him that. He seems a teeny bit sensitive about it.’

‘Still?’ Gandalf sighed. ‘Oh well, I’d better go and speak with him.’

‘Are Aragorn and Boromir not with you?’

‘I sent them to help a naiad,’ he said.

Katy and I glanced at each other. ‘That’s where Merlin and Mordred have gone. We were expecting them back by now.’

‘Oh? Interesting.’ He frowned. ‘Hmm, anyway . . . Sorvad first, I think.’

‘This naiad sounds more and more . . . interesting,’ I said to Katy. ‘What is one exactly?’

‘A water nymph. They’re attached to fresh water sources like streams or springs. If they get parted from their water or the source dries up, they die, and the water will never return. So they’re pretty important. And usually naked.’

‘I wonder if that’s what’s keeping the men,’ I laughed.  ‘Have you ever met one?’

‘Only once. I went with Merlin to help one. She was very grateful. At least, she wanted to be, and I had to drag him away. She was quite . . . persuasive.’

‘Goodness! Maybe we shouldn’t have let them go!’

‘They’ll be back,’ she said confidently. ‘Eventually.’

‘What are you doing with Sorvad?’ I asked when Gandalf finally returned.

‘The worst thing possible for him.’ My mind filled with horror-film style scenarios. ‘I shall send him back to his brother.’

‘Cruel!’ Katy said, half laughing.

‘Are the men not back yet?’ Gandalf was frowning.

‘No.’ I walked to the window and looked out in the direction they’d gone, and then walked round the room to look out in the direction of Camelot, although, of course, it was too far away to see, but it was reassuring knowing that I was looking in its direction. Except . . . except the view looked . . . wrong. ‘Katy?’ She joined me at the window. ‘Does the Impenetrable Forest look different to you?’

‘Yes, yes it does. It looks . . . well . . . not very impenetrable. Gandalf?’

Gandalf stroked his long beard and then called for Legolas. ‘There are elven folk in the Impenetrable Forest?’

‘Yes, Gandalf. There is a problem there?’

‘It would appear so.’

‘I shall go and investigate,’ and it wasn’t long before they saw Legolas riding across the desolate plain towards the forest. I felt a sudden shiver of dread and checked my engagement ring. It was a resolute blue, but all that meant was that I was in no immediate danger.

‘I think I shall give this naiad a visit once Legolas returns,’ Gandalf said slowly.

‘You think she might have something to do with it?’

‘I do not know, but Aragorn and Boromir should not have taken this long.’

‘We will come with you,’ I said, more confident-sounding in this declaration than I felt.

‘Oh, you will, will you?’ Gandalf said. ‘Well, actually, that may not be a bad idea. I can keep an eye on you ladies.’

That worried me considerably more than a downright refusal, but I hurried away to pack for the journey.

Legolas returned at dusk and we met him in the main chamber.

‘Queen Mab is missing from the Impenetrable Forest,’ he said, breathlessly. ‘The magic is disappearing in her absence.’

‘Do they know where she is?’

‘She was called to help the naiad.’

‘Hmmm,’ was Gandalf’s only comment.

‘The elves of the forest are well?’ Katy asked.

‘Yes, my lady, although concerned about the forest’s lack of magic. They have heard of other areas where magical folk have been called away.’

‘Well that would cover Merlin and Mordred, but Aragorn and Boromir? Why would they not have returned? Gandalf?’

‘I do not know, Katy. But I think no harm has befallen them otherwise I would know. Legolas, will you and your elves remain here? Beth, Katy and I are going to see this naiad for ourselves. Sorvad will accompany us and I can take him on to Sauron from there. We shall leave at dawn.’

‘Is that a Camelot dawn?’ I asked.

‘No, Beth. I mean actual dawn.’

‘In that case, I think I might go to bed.’ Except I couldn’t sleep. I missed Gwaine more than I could possibly have imagined, but although it seemed nonsensical, I was almost relieved that he was doing some good old-fashioned fighting alongside Percival and was probably safer than dabbling with magical beings.

As I’d arrived through the Impenetrable Forest, I didn’t have my own horse here, but borrowed one of the elves’. It seemed massive compared with my sure-footed pony, so it took all my concentration as we headed across the plain away from Camelot and into the forest on the far side where we dismounted and led the horses along the narrow track. While Gandalf and Katy chatted, Sorvad bound on a horse tethered to Gandalf’s, I rode in silence, thinking about my new life in Camelot. It had been six months since I’d returned permanently, saving the castle from the forest fire and committing myself to remaining there. Two months later, Gwaine had proposed, and, in accepting, I knew that I would spend the rest of my life in this world and I’d promised him I would not return there. Except sometimes it was scary and when I was away from Gwaine for too long, I began to think that I would wake up and this was all an extremely long and exceptionally detailed dream.

As we made camp for the night, Gandalf lighting a fire with a point of his staff and, producing some food for us, he asked if I was missing Gwaine. ‘He will be back at Camelot soon.’

‘He’d better be, we’re getting married soon. You will be there, won’t you?’

‘Of course, my dear.’

‘Would you . . . would you give me away as . . . my parents won’t be there?’

‘It would be an honour. Once we have seen this naiad, I will continue on to the Southern Pass with Sorvad and offer him to his brother as payment to keep the pass open. Then I shall bring both Gwaine and Percival back with me.’

‘Eowyn will be pleased. But at least she has the inn to keep her busy.’

‘It is time the quest moved on. Sorvad’s attack on you both may prove fortuitous.’ He glanced over to where the prisoner sat in sullen silence, either not listening, or simply ignoring us.

We took it in turns to watch, but the night passed uneventfully and we were soon on our way for the final leg of the journey.

‘Not far now,’ Gandalf said, and even I noticed that the vegetation was becoming more verdant.

We dismounted and led the horses towards a stream where were allowed them to drink and then tied them to the trees. Guiding Sorvad before him, Gandalf led us upstream towards it source.

‘Well!’ he said, with some surprise, and Katy and I drew alongside him to observe the most extraordinary sight.