Ch. 7: The Shadow on the Stars

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             Forest   took   another   step. The   bloody   grove   was   gone. Instead   he   was   following   a   glowing   woman   down   a   hall   of   still   fire;   what   seemed   like   frozen   flames   of   blue   and   white   decorated   the   walls   and   played   over the   ceiling,   and   bronze   and   red   fires   carpeted   the   floor. Lambent,   burning   nothing,   the   motionless   tongues   curled,   wispy   and   brilliant   at   once,   the   blue   fires   tipped   with   turquoise   green,   the   white   ones   with   darker   yellow;   the   flattened,   horizontal   flames   of   the   carpet   were   in   fact   fabric,   some   enchanted   fabric   of   woven   fires   held   still   and   perishless,   and   wound   in   among   them   were   patterns   and   webs   of   darker   fire. The   woman   glided   in   at   a   door,   looking   around   to   see   if   she   was   followed. The   door,   made   not   of   crystal   but   of   a   satin-polished   white   wood,   closed,   then   faded   transparent   as   Forest’s   sight   walked   through   it.

             “They   are   coming   for   her.”   Sophia   whispered   to   another   Starmaiden. The   two   wore   clothes   of   a   simpler   fashion   than   that   which   the   Star-lords   had   worn;   dresses   with   spiderweb-like   embroidering,   silver   upon   blue,   a   deep   maroon   mantle   over   it   all. The   dresses   were   identical;   clearly   it   was   a   uniform. The   two   glowing   figures,   one   with   flesh   of   silver   and   one   greenish-pink,   huddled   on   the   bed.

             “Will   they   come for   you,   too?”   the   other   said   agitatedly.

             “If   they   do,   I   can   fight   them.”   Sophia   hissed. “I   have   bathed   in   the   flask.”

             “You   have   one   also?”   the   other   Star   said,   timidly. The   bed   was   grand   and   majestic,   golden   wood   wrought   with   gold   winding   all   through   it   so   that   the   very   grain   seemed   of   golden   thread,   and   canopies   of   beaded   and   woven   light   hung   filmy   around   it,   shedding   an   unwet   dew   of   light   like   faintly   luminous   pearls   down   upon   the   violet   and   gold-broidered   covers. Lace-edged   pillows   of   deep   red   were   stacked   high   at   one   end. The   drops   caused   a   strange   ripple   in   the   covers   when   they   fell,   but   otherwise   left   no   dampness   nor   trace   of   their   fall. When   the   drops   struck   the   two   Stars,   a   brighter   spot   showed   amid   their   glow   before   muting,   but   the   girls   paid   it   no   heed.

             “Be   not   absurd. I   suspect   everyone   does. It   grows   harder   a   thing   to   keep   dim. But   I   would   only   fight   if   they   cornered   me. And   I   am   but   her   maid.”   said   Sophia.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Is   it   true   the   Lord   Arcturus   himself   will   bring   the   charges? I   thought   he   was   in   love   with   Charosa.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Oh,   once,   perhaps.”   said   Sophia   loftily. “But   that   is   ages   behind   him. How   could   anyone   be   so   murky   as   to   open   unto   a   Giant? Ever   since   we   were   made   the   Unbegotten   have   tried   to   snare   us.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “She   would   open   to   anyone.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Well,   this   was   the   final   straw. Angar   the   Dark,   they   say,   is   trying   to   have   the   Twins   exiled—or   executed.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Was   Diana   really   with   son   by   him?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “She   ferociously   denies   it,   which   only   convinces   everyone   the   more. None   like   her. How   dare   she   set   herself   up   so   lofty   and   pure,   when   polluted   is   her   very   blood!”   Sophia   said   spitefully. The   walls   flickered,   as   the   frozen   flames   began   to   move   and   shift   dreamily   along   them,   while   the   two   maidens   whispered   underneath;   and   great   candles   flared   into   life   around   the   walls,   as   the   fires   dimmed   and   went   dull. The   two   maidens   sat   up,   alarm   in   their   faces. Sophia   shot   like   a   beam   of   light   to   the   door and   elongated   her   eye   through   the   keyhole,   peering   into   the   hall. She   remained   thus   for   long   minutes,   as   deep   and   solemn   voices   sang   in   a   wordless   dirge,   the   slow   chant   of   the   stars.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “They   are   here.”   she   whispered.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Walls   sped   and   flashed   past   Forest. He   saw   for   a   moment   vast   toppling   structures   of   hard   light,   a   city   of   them,   a   city   on   air,   bright   as   a   cloud. Then   he   stood   in   a   high-vaulted   chamber. The   columns   were   of   glass   shaped   by   some   strange   art   into   lifelike   and   detailed   figures   of   people,   nymphs   and   dryads   weaving   in   and   out   from   one   another,   as   if   growing   out of   each   other   like   glass   trees:   and   they   were   naked,   or   clad   only   in   filmy   drapes,   and   their   graceful   figures   were   so   lovely   Forest   scarcely   realized   their   nudity. The   glass   glimmered   in   slowly   shifting   hues   far   down   within,   rose   and   ruddy   violet   and   mauve   and   lilac,   and   rich   violet. The   walls   shimmered   and   flickered   as   if   heatless   fires   burned   in   ascending   courses   within   their   substance,   fires   of   pearl   and   softest   shell-like   pink,   and   patterns   of   woven   light   played   slowly   across   the   gleaming   surface. Upon   the   floors   lay   carpets   of   light,   patterned   in   rigid   and   somehow   sombre   designs   of   red   and   yellow,   and   woven   black. And   the   chamber   was   filling   up   with   Stars. Still   in   they   poured,   till   they   stood   upon   the   air   in   rank   upon   rank   and   concealed   the   walls,   and   the   lofty   vaults   of   sombre   purple   picked   out   with   red   were   hidden   by   upside-down   Stars.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             A   red   flame   burned   in   the   center,   red   with   her   indignation:   Charosa. Gold   hair   flashed   and   glowed   about   her   scarlet   face. Her   breasts   and   behind   were   not   half   so   exaggerated   as   when   Forest   had   first   seen   her,   for   today   she   was   on   trial. Robes   as   wispy   as   cloud   drifted   about   her. Behind   her   stood   Arcturus,   and   two   lendar   on   either   side,   in   case   of   escape. Seated   upon   chairs   of   wrought   crystal   that   burned   with   bound   sunlight,   the   pearl-gleaming   figure   of   Silmo,   Lord   of   the   Moon,   King   of   the   Stars,   and   the   fiery-haired   figure   of   Urwendi   the   Lady   of   the   Sun,   gazed   down   upon   their   daughter   and   said   nothing.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “What   Arcturus   claims   is   not   true!”   Charosa   was   saying   passionately. “I   bare   my   mind   and   memory   to   you,   my   sires. See   you   there   the   imprint   of   them,   foes   immortal,   old,   unbegotten,   out   of   void   ancient? Do   you   desire   oaths?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Oaths   have   been   sworn   as   in   all   inquiries,   and   those   are   enough.”   Silmo   made   answer. “I   have   heard   your   account. I   have   heard   that   of   our   son   Angar. Hear   now   then my   doom. I   speak   it   in   the   light   the   Valar   gave   me   when   they   sent   me   to   shine   among   you. I   speak   it   by   my   noble   spirit,   which   sees   farther   than   any    venda.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Charosa   bore   a   twin,   who   bear   in   them   the   blood   of   our   foes   the   Frost-giants. But   in   Charosa’s   mind   is   no   knowledge   of   such   a   deed   as   Angar   alleges,   nor   does   she   lie. It   is   plain   then   that   the   giant   who   begot   upon   her   the   perilous   twins,   came   to   her   hidden   and   in   guise   of   Star. They   cannot   ascend   into   the   airs. They   must   have   had   aid. This   must   be   illumined.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Charosa   is   guiltless   of   treason,   guilty   of   lust. Her   lust   betrayed   her. She   laid   herself   open   to   all   who   came   near,   caring   nor   knowing   whom   they   might   be. For   this   I   punish   you,   by   remanding   you,   my   daughter,   to   one   year   alone   in   deepest   dungeon. This   I   rule.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Silmo   wills   it! Silmo   dooms   it!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             When   all   had   gone,   Urwendi   stayed   Arcturus. “Silmo,”   said   she,   “and   my   lord   Arcturus,   let   us   step   aboard   the   Moon. I   have   words   to   say   in   this   matter.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Forest   followed   them   as   they   sped   like   meteors   through   the   wheeling   airs. Stars   floated   in   their   places,   encased   in   a   globe   of   their   own   light,   a   fierce   silver   and   white   and   blue. Deep,   utter   blue   was   the   thin   air   of   Ilmen   around   them,   clear and   pure. Ahead   a   great   tilting   wheel   of   pure   silver   swooped   and whirled   into   view,   and   when   at   last the   streaks   of   light   he   was   following   stopped   wheeling   and   flew   straight,   Forest   saw before him   a   mighty   vessel,   broad   as   two   houses,   long   as   an   airplane,   its’   hull   a   delicate   pure   crystal   glass   of   virin   itself,   and   it   shone   with   a   powerful   silver   light. Moving   slower   now   the   three   Lights   of   the   Heavens   soared   over   the   transparent   rim   and   alighted   on   an   island   on   the   ship   of   the   Moon. The   queer   haunting   chill   song   of   the   Choir   echoed   in   the   air,   death   for   ears   not   undefended.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   Moon   was   so   beautiful   it   made   tears   flow   unheeded   down   Forest’s   cheeks. An   unutterable   sorrow   filled   him   at   the   sight   of   what   had   once   been,   and   was   now   gone. Lakes   of   liquid   light   condensed   like   dew   or   thin   and   stickless   honey   lay   around   him,   deep   and   brilliant;   and   pathways   and   aisles   wound   among   them,   and   snowy   gleaming   blossoms   crusted   the   brims   of   those   pools. Amid   the   middle   rose   a   tiered   fount   of   that   strange   unbrittle   glass,   thin   as   a   petal   or   as   a   bubble-skin,   and   from   this   came   the   mightiest   glow   of   all,   and   there   reposed   an   undying   Blossom.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Forest   could   not   look   away. Through   the   glass   and   powerful   white   glow   he   saw   a   flower   like   a   rose   with   the   stem   of   a   lily,   longer   and   trumpetine,   but   unfolding   out   into   ten   thousand   snowlike   petals,   and   its’   heart   was   of   white   flame,   and   it   gave   a   throbbing   pulse,   growing   slowly   to   a   greatness   of   light   and   then   fading. It   was   of   great   size,   “large   as   a   car”   thought   Forest,   and   a   dew   of   glowing   honey   distilled   upon   each   petal   and   fell   therefrom,   and   it   swam   upon   its’   own   light,   and   a   marvellous   thin   fragrance   arose   from   it.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Despite   himself   the   Road   dragged   him   around,   and   he   followed   in   the   wake   of   the   Lights   as   they   trod   the   airy   paths. Masts   there   were   like   pale   rods   of   ice,   and   the   strangest   wispy   lights   furled   and   flowed   around   the   spars   like   gossamer   sails,   and   then   Forest   saw   they   were   not   sails   but   spirits   of   silver   and   pale   gold,   the   mariners   of   Silmo,   the   Wings   of   the   Moon. In   the   prow   of   the   Moon   rose   a   fine   pearly   tower   of   light   made   tangible,   and   entering   the   slender   door   they   sat   down   on   chairs   of   glass   in   a   high   narrow   room.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Hear   me,   my   lords.”   said   Urwendi. Her   scorching   voice   was   stilled,   and   she   had   muted   as   well   her   fiery   gold   hair   in   a   veil   of   silver   that   dimmed   her   burning   glance. “My   son   Angar   lied   to   us. Under   the   most   dreadful   oaths,   he   lied   when   he   described   how   Charosa   met   the   giant. Do   you   remember   when   the   Twins   were   born? Even   then   he   knew.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “The   Jotunn   cannot   tread   the   airs   without   aid.”   put   in   Silmo. “Even   those   whom   the   Lord   of   Winter   and   Frost   himself   subdued   to   serve   the   Seasons,   can   only   tread   the   clouds   of   the   Storehouses   of   the   Snow. And   even   they   look   forward   as   they   serve   to   the   time   when   they   will   break   free.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “It   is   said   some   of   them   can   change   their   shape.”   offered   Arcturus. “Fafnir   became   a   dragon,   and   Otr   an   otter. But   to   impersonate   a   Star…ah,   that   is   fell   magic   indeed.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “None   of   the   Unbegotten   have   such   power.”   agreed   Urwendi. “That   is   beyond,   I   think,   even   the   might   of   a   Star,   to   counterfeit   another   Star.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “When   a   lend   enters   a   lenna,”   said   Silmo,   “it   is   not   the   static   process   that   it   is   between   solid   beings,   such   as   men,   or   elves,   or   even   giants. They   change   their   shape   constantly   in   their   delight,   their   forms   no   more   static   than   flame. Only   a   male   Star   could   remain   joined   to   her   under   such   conditions. To   so   alter   not   only   the   form   but   the   very   properties   of   a   solid   being’s   body,   would   seem   to   me   beyond   any   piercer’s   skill.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “This   is   known   very   well   to   us,   my   lord   Silmo,”   Arcturus   said   in   a   puzzled   voice.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “”We   sense   the   Road   is   walking   time   again,”   Urwendi   said   serenely,   “layers   of   walking,   and   layers   of   hearing. My   lord   is   right. It   would   need   something   more   than   any   Star   has. It   would   need,   bluntly,   valla.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Or   vallfarnda,   as   the   Warden   puts   it.”   concurred   Silmo. “An   order   of   power   acting   from   above   the   natural   order—and   yes,   you   Stars,   like   all   venda,   are   still   just   barely   in   the   natural   order. But   we—we   act   from   above   it.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “It   seems   to   me,   then,”   said   Urwendi,   “that   we   have   among   us   one   of   the   Great   Evils;   one   not   merely   Maia,   but   Vala. Not   even   Manwë,   I   think,   kenneth   the   number   of   our   fallen   brothers   from   the   great   ranks   who   have   slipped   into   Arda   in   one   form   or   another. Some   never   joined   the   ranks   of   Melkor. They,   like   Ungoiliantë,   acted   on   their   own.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “But   were   not   they all   cast   into   the   Void   when   Angband   broke?”   Arcturus   said.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   two   incarnate   angels   gazed   at   him   sadly. “Many   Dragons   escaped   that   were   small   enough   to   hide   under   the   hills;   even   one   of   the   Balrogs   got   away.”   Silmo   said   sadly. “But we   have   news,   I   see,   that   thou   hast   not. Our   brother   at   the   Gates   of   Night   tells   us—that   they   were   opened.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “My   piercers   did   reach   it,   then!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “And   cast   down   its’   guardian,   and   opened   the   door. Something   came   through   it. Too   late   the   Doors   were   slammed. I   deem   that   what   came   through   it—sits   within   Angar.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Arcturus   rose   to   his   feet. “This   was   for   what   I   have   long   been   preparing. I   have   found   the   counter   to   our   curse,   and   I   am   freed   of   it. Or   so   I   deem. I   will   assail   Angar,   my   Lord   and   Lady. Let   me   do   so   first. If   I   am   overcome   by   curse,   then   will   you   know   I   was   on   the   wrong   tack. But   if   I   survive—then   with   all   speed,   my   Lord   and   Lady,   drink   the   potation   I   will   give   to   ye.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “This   counsel   seems   good   to   me.”   said Urwendi. “Come. Let   us   seize   and   free   our   dark   son.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             '' ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   laboratory   of   Arcturus   was   not   floored   with   transparent   sky   as   Lara   had   described   it:   now   it   bore   a   floor,   if   one   could   call   it   that,   of   rank   on   rank   of   stored   vertical   objects,   floating   on   nothingness,   concealed   by   some   spell   of   power. The   walls   of   meshed   crystal   vines   like   trellises of   woven   glass   were   hidden   by   the   apparatus   of   silver   wire   and   filaments   and   cords   and   threads   of   webbed   and   bedewed   light   that   hung   on   the   air,   packed   close,   hanging   from   the   ceiling. The   lab   had   undergone   changes   since   Lara   had   seen   it. Although   the   resemblance   to   the   lab   of   Angar   was   considerable   in   as   much   as   they   shared   many   of   the   same   queer   devices   and   peculiar   inventions   and   equipment,   still   there   was   a   noticeable difference   as   well,   for   it   was   assembled   by   a   different   man. There   was   a   care   of   detail   about   it   which   the   equally   complex   lab   of   Angar   had   lacked;   a   beauty   and   purpose   in   even   the   vats   and   beakers,   which   belongs   to   one   who   makes   things   for   the   love   of   making,   and   not   solely   for   practical   reasons. Angar   seemed   to   have   only   been   concerned   with   whether   it   worked.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Arcturus   strode   with   grim   purpose   down   the   many   avenues   of   instruments   until   he   came   to   the   back   wall. The   window   there   gave   out   only   upon   the   starry   sky,   but   when   he   shed   a   swirling   beam   from   his   shoulder   over   it,   it   became   a   door. Out   of   his   pocket   he   drew   an   oddly   familiar   key,   a   brilliant   fiery   golden-copper   in   hue,   with   a   cloverleaf   head   bordered   by   a   band   of   raised   beads   and   inside   these   two   curling   shapes   like   flame, or   like   featureless   and   fearsome   dragons. Between   them   was   graven   an   ornate   numeral   rune   that   Forest   somehow   knew   said   9. With   this   he   unlocked   the   door,   revealing   on   the   far   side   a   great dark   hall   stretching   away.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   have   breached   the   nine   layers   of   place!”   the   Sun   exclaimed. “None   save   the   unclad   spirits   can   walk   them,   we   deemed.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   breached   these   long   before,   when   the   Ice   had   not   yet   consumed   the   Silent   Country   where   we   danced,   and   my   nine-and-forty   sons   and   I   constructed   roads   to   link   one   layer   to   another,   and   lead   up   even   onto   the   rooftops   of   Time.”   said   Arcturus. “But   my   sons   are   dark   now. Time   took   them. Time   chained   them,   between   one   moment   and   the   next. This   key   can   only   visit   them. It   needs   the   Road   to   free   them. And   Arheled   has   refused.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   am   sorry.”   said   Silmo   gently.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “As   yet,”   said   Arcturus,   lighting   the   mysterious   hall   with   his   own   form   as   he   paced   down   it,   “I   alone   possess   the   secret. Or   so   I   hope. But   if   Angar   truly   is   possessed,   he   may   know   as   well,   for   it   was   he   after   all   who   first   set   me   on   the   way   to   knowledge. Here,   my   Lord   and   Lady,   keep   I   my   weapons.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Such   a   weird   arsenal   Forest   had   never   imagined. The   variety   and   design   of   the   things   stored   there   were   staggering. A   few   familiar   shapes   stood   out from   the   mob:   bows   with   C-horns   absurdly   bent   and   stringed   like   harps,   fitted   with   darts   so   queer   and   twisted   no   archer   could   possibly   shoot   them;   axes   and   maces   and   war-hammers   of   convoluted   form,   wrought   in   awful   runes   and   carvings,   with   odd   distorted   blades   and   silver   strings   strung   incongruously   along   them;   great   swords   with   ridiculous   complicated   baskets   of   wire   for   hilts;   shields   with   curling   spikes   and   bosses   that   seemed   queerly   unsolid. Besides   these   were   objects   that   looked   like   sewing   machines   or   car   engines   that   had   gone   through   a   volcano   and   come   out   half-melted   and   twisted   out   of   shape,   or   queer   assembled   disks   and   balls   of   elaborate   pattern   that   seemed   only   designed   to   slide   around   each   other;   and   countless   distorted,   beautiful   and   deadly   shapes,   each   evidently   a   device   of   power.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “These   are   fell   indeed.”   said   Silmo   in   a   hushed   voice. “I   comprehend   their   purpose   and   power   in   a   single   glance. Some   of   these   attack   the   property   of   a   body. Others   attack   various   accidents. But   these,   here,   these   disrupt   the   very   form   and   substance.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “They   can   even   injure   an   intellectual   substance.”   said   Arcturus   grimly. “I   kept   no   record   of   how   I   forged   them,   and   pushed   from   my   mind   the   knowledge. But   they   are   here. Even   Melkor   himself   might   flinch   before   these.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Slowly   Silmo   lifted   one   of   the   devices   in   question. A   bizarre   basket   of   golden   wire   elongated   toward   a   funnel-like   mouth;   but   inside   it   was   darkness,   where   should   be   emptiness. Queer   dark   crystals   gleamed   in   the   openings.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   see   now.”   he   murmered. “Foolish   Arcturus. You   would   power   this   device   by   the   harvested   essence   of   Chaos   himself,   that   infects   all   matter   beyond    the   Holy   Realm. But   what   if   we   were   to   face   that   very   being? You   cannot   harm   him   with   himself.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   will   take   one,   nevertheless.”   Arcturus   answered. “Though   I   will   not   depend   upon   it. Choose   what   you   will,   my   Lord   and   Lady;   all   that   I   have,   it   is   yours.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   halls   of   Angar   stood   apart   from   the   other   halls   of   the   Alaplondo,   the   Planets,   those   eight   mighty   princes   of   the   Stars. They   had   originally   been   constructed   on   more   sombre   lines;   the   crystalline   substance   of   forged   and   fused   light   which   made   them   (as   opposed   to   pure   crystal   in   the   houses   of   less   wealth)   was   a   deep   purple-red,   fading   into   black   in   the   corners   and   the   hollows   of   the   carvings. Gold   shone   here   or   there,   and   silver   glimmered   in   places. The   lines   of   the   architecture   were   harsher   and   more   severe,   less   ornamental   and   soaring,   than   the   palaces   Forest   had   previously   seen;   arches   rose   to   stern   points,   and   ornament   was   reduced   to   a   single   row   of   fluted   shapes   along   the   edges   of   the   frames. Severe   groins   rose   in   simple   sweeps   to   uphold   the   vaults   of   the   entrance   porches;   their   dark   purple-blue   cast   a   gloom   upon   the   unlit   portico. They   were   falling   into   disrepair;   parts   of   the   walls   were   cracked   and   eroded   with   evaporation,   and   some   of   the   hard-light   mouldings   looked   like   they   were   melting. Beneath   the   city   Forest   did   not   see   a   broad   circle   of   curving   land,   as   he   expected;   but   of   curving   clouds   like   turbulent   towers,   ugly   and   thick. Lightning   sprang   upward,   forking   like   tree   limbs   before   fading   out,   and   the   continuous   snarl   of   far   thunder   drifted   up   from   below.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   Sun   and   Moon   alighted   on   the   portico. They   wore   the   strangest   armour   any   Star   had   ever   seen,   and   in   their   hands   were   the   weapons   of   Arcturus. He   too   was   dighted   for   war,   dozens   of   his   bizarre   and   deadly   inventions   hanging   about   him. He   smote   open   the   grim   doors,   wrought   not   of   hard   light   but   of   metal,   and   Forest’s   sight   followed   in   after   him.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             He   stood   in   a   single   massive   hall. The   hard   light   was   not   present. These   walls   were   dead   black. They   were   forged   of   wrought   darkness. Woven   shadows   carpeted   the   floor. It   was   lit   only   by   the   blood-red   light   of   the   eyes   of   Angar,   piercing   as   the   Sun   but   far   more   withering. The   Dark   Star   stood   at   the   far   end,   tall   and   silent. Robes   of   darkness   flowed   about   him   like   choking   smoke.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Angar!”   the   voice   of   Arcturus   thundered. “I   have   come   in   the   name   of   the   Sun   and   the   Moon,   to   bind   and   to   seize   thee,   that   the   evil   within   thee   may   be   exorcised. Submit!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Submit.”   the   low   mocking   voice   of   the   Dark   Planet   rolled   in   the   black   hall. “You   come   to   me,   you,   a   mere   venda   of   the   people   of   the   Stars,   and   seek   to   overcome   me?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Arcturus   glowed. Rainbow   fires   of   every   hue   leaped   inside   his   weapons   as   they   awoke. “You   gave   me   knowledge. For   that   I   thank   you,   for   it   gives   me   the   power   to   overcome   you.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Hall   and   chamber   shook   and   wavered. The   air   around   him   dimmed   and   flickered,   queer   hues   boiling   out   in   loops   and   bends. Angar’s   form   shivered   and   wobbled. Suddenly   the   arcing   distortions   warped   back   into   their   weapons. Arcturus   staggered   from   the   recoil. Angar   stood   unharmed.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “A   little   harder,   Arcturoha.”   sneered   Angar. “By   the   Gods,   one   would   think   thou   wert   assaulting   a   fly. Even   a   son   of   the   Maiar   would   laugh   at   these   elemental   distortions.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “No   Maia   will   laugh   at   these,   I   assure   you.”   said   Arcturus   as   the   spokes   of   his   armour   bent   and   glowed. Warps   of   power   bent   inward   from   all   sides,   till   Angar   was   almost   hidden   by   the   wavering   distortions. The   wrinkles   in   the   air   slowed:   Angar   was   holding   them   off. Suddenly   Arcturus   appeared   behind   him   and   unleashed   a   stream   of   fiery   black.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Angar   shattered. His   form   splattered   upon   the   air,   into   mist,   and   then   into   gas:   Arcturus   had   stricken   him   with   the   essence   of   the   curse   upon   the   Stars.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Slowly   and   victoriously   Arcturus   strode   back   up   the   hall.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Behind   him   mist   and   gas   rushed   back   together. Energy   hardened. Angar   appeared,   whole,   undamaged. Arcturus   whirled   as   Angar   blazed. A   bulging   cloud   of   meeting   power   erupted   between   them. Energy   began   to   snap   and   spark   like   lightning.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   may   be   a   son   of   spirits,”   Arcturus   said,   “but   I   am   of   the   first   magnitude!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             From   his   shoulder   rose   the   sinister   device   of   golden   wires,   the   darkness   within   them   rotating   and   throwing   out   flares   of   red   and   evil   green. Full   upon   Angar   it   blasted. Air   and   light   and   space   imploded   around   the   ray   that   it   sent   forth.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             It   expired   on   Angar’s   hand.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             He   began   to   laugh. Mirthless,   heartless,   cold   as   death,   cruel   as   stone   and   harsh   as   knives,   the   sound   sliced   into   Forest’s   ears   and   mind   and   soul. Even   protected   by   the   Road   he   reeled. For   Arcturus,   with   nothing   to   aid   him   but   his   celestial   nature,   it   was   far   worse. His   form   blew,   wavering   as   if   before   a   wind   of   power,   streamers   of   glaring   white   breaking   out   of   him.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   cannot   be   injured   by   my   own   essence! ''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">”   the   grating   voice   of   Chaos   himself   broke   out   of   Angar’s   mouth.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             In   rushed   the   Sun   and   Moon. From   their   hands   they   cast   down   empty   flasks. In   their   eyes   a   mighty   light   was   blazing. The   eyes   of   Arien   fried   the   very   air   they   stared   through. Softer   but   no   less   powerful   was   the   light   of   Silmo. Chaos   looked   at   them   from   the   eyes   of   Angar. Then,   quite   suddenly,   he   was   not   there.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Arcturus!”   cried   Silmo,   helping   him   coalesce. “Art   thou   wounded?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Never,”   groaned   the   Star,   “will   that   voice   leave   my   head. Melkor   walks   among   the   Stars. We   must   arm   for   war.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “What   is   the   hurry,   Sophia?”   cried   the   starmaid   Forest   had   seen   with   her   before. The   two   were   racing   down   a   corridor,   each   laden   with   what   seemed   to   be   ceremonial   paraphernalia,   which   they   kept   hovering   before   them   on   a   net   of   energy. “Gods! Whatever   we   say   of   Charosa   she   was   never   this   demanding!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “The   lord   Üra   wants   his   full   regalia   and   retinue   to   accompany   him   to   the   Sun. Urwendi   has   commanded   all   the   Eight   for   a   council   of   war.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Perhaps   they   have   enlightened   the   giant!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Or   whomso   aided   him.”   said   Sophia. “I   hope   he   makes   not   me   to   dress   him. As   yet   I   have   not   drawn   his   eye.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   are   lucky.”   the   other   snorted. “To   be   shone   on   by   him   is   like   being   stabbed   with   icicles.”   The   halls   they   were   racing   down   were   high   and   awful,   like   vaults   of   hewn   ice;   the   crystal   gleamed   pale   blue   in   the   vaults,   and   harsher   noon   blue   in   the   ribs,   and   knobs   of   pure   blue   indigo   joined   them. Blues   in   many   kinds   played   in   the   frozen   walls,   and   hoarfrost   wrought   into   elaborate   unmelting   forms   served   as   carving   for   the   frames. Icicles   hung   ornamentally   from   every   surface,   some   curling   back   on   themselves. Dews   of   coldness   condensed   into   such   severity   it   shone   of   itself   served   as   light   within   the   walls,   and   rosy   shimmers   hung,   frozen,   within   the   chilled   blue,   picking   it   out. They   arrived   breathlessly   in   the   rooms   of   the   Lord   Üra   and   bowed   to   the   floor,   levitating   the   burdens.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “We   come,   Lord.”   quavered   Sophia.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Maricrondo,   dress   me.”   the   deep,   utterly   cold   voice   of   Üra   echoed   from   the   dim   room. “Sophia,   garb   thee   as   befits   a   lady:   thou   wilt   be   among   my   retinue.”   He   was   long   and   craglike,   preferring   a   form   that   looked   cut   from   frozen   rock. Naked   as   he   was   now,   he   seemed   like   some   lonely   pinnacle   on   a   mountain   of   ice   in   a   cold   moon;   a   cold   blue fire   burned   on   his   hearth,   and   the   rooms,   besides   being   hued   like   ice,   were   almost   cold   enough   for   air   to   condense. Black   walls   with   heights   of   cold   blue   in   the   carvings   and   the   ridges   of   the   sharp   arches   rose   to   sharp   dark   vaults,   fading   to   indigo   and   ice-blue. All   his   maids   feared   him.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Soon   she   and   the   retinue   of   Üra,   all   in   gleaming   shades   of   blue and   grey,   were   streaking   through   the   heavens   in   pursuit   of   the   Sun   on   the   far   side   of   Arda. Yet   however   far   west   they   sped,   not   even   over   the   sea   could   they   escape   the   ponderous   towers   of   roiling   cloud. Lit   by   the   lights   and   by   their   own   lightnings,   they   shone   soft   rose   and   strange   lilac   and   sombre   violet,   and   many   hues   of   grey   and   blue;   but   underneath   were   a   grim   dirty   brown,   as   if   wrought   not   of   vapor   but   of   smoke.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             A   mighty   glare   came   from   ahead. Shielded   by   the   Road,   Forest’s   eyes   were   not   overborne,   now   were   those   of   the   Stars,   and   though   the   heat   of   Anar’s   rays   made   their   forms   steam,   great   heat   is   as   much   their   home   as   great   cold,   and   no   Star   showed   pain. The   sky   around   them   was   aflame. Even   the   air   was   close   to   combustion. White   and   golden   fire   filled   the   world. Then   they   reached   the   heart   of   it,   and   Forest   saw   the   ancient   Sun.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Where   the   Moon   had   been   a   tranquil   place   of   repose   and   delicacy   and   clearness   of   sight   and   thought   like   glass,   the   Sun   was   a   place   of   fury,   of   exultant,   fiery   beauty,   fierce   and   joyous   and   violent. Broad   of   beam   and   ship-fashioned,   she   was   yet   smaller   than   the   vessel   of   the   Moon,   and   her   hull   was   of   some   fiery   clear   substance,   lucent   as   a   glass   transfused   in   nature   so   as   to   be   half   of   gold. Gold   that   did   not   melt   was   laid   for   rim   and   rail,   and   gold   were   the   masts,   and   upon   the   spars   stood   motionless   maidens   lucent   of   flesh,   and   light   flashed   from   their   glorious   limbs   that   no   raiment   could   abide   upon. All   that   ship   was   filled   with   fire;   liquid   light   of   purest   burning   gold   flashed   and   seethed   in   waves   of   golden   foam   like   maple   sugar   that   is   boiling   over,   and   in   the   midst   lay   a   fruit   so   huge   as   to   dwarf   even   the   mighty   Rose. Pips   like   shining   gold   burned   with   juices   like   quivering   flames   of   amber   and   red,   like   a   jar   of   maple   syrup   held   up   to   the   sun. It   had   no   rind,   for   Aulë   had   used   it   to   forge   that   lucent   hull,   yet   it   died   not,   and   shed   dews   of   fire   from   its’   gleaming   pips.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Upon   a   deck   of   wrought   gold   laced   with   petals   of   yellow   and   orange   like   new   coals   taken   from   a   hearth,   Urwendi   stood,   and   there   alighted   the   Stars,   the   seven   Planets   and   their   assembled   retinue;   yet   strange   to   relate   that   deck   contained   them   all.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “My   lords   my   children,   I   welcome   you   to   the   Sun.”   said   Urwendi. “I   see   Hormo,   and   Barvast,   Drëdo   and   Gentos,   Üra   and   Doldûn   and   Lundno   the   silent. Why   are   there   here   only   Seven   of   the   Eight?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   Planets   looked   one   at   the   other. Barvast   shrugged. Gentos   frowned. Doldûn   looked   utterly   unmoved.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   will   tell   you   why   my   son   Angar   is   not   here.”   said   Urwendi. “My   lord   Arcturus,   step   forward.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Arcturus   wobbled   faintly   as   he   did   so. Forest   heard   startled   murmers   among   the   Stars:   usually   no   injury   is   permanent   to   a   shapemelding   being,   unless   his   power,   or   his   spirit,   is   wounded. Deep   weariness   and   pain   etched   his   face. Sophia   made   a   startled   sound,   but   stayed   where   she   was.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             In   sonorous   tones   Arcturus   told   of   the   evil   long   growing   in   the   stars,   of   the   Shadow   on   the   Choir,   of   the   madness   of   immorality   and   even   perversion   that   raged   among   the   host   of   Heaven. “Now   daughters   are   beginning,   wearied   of   experiencing   only   other   lendar,   to   soften   their   walls   to   be   shone   on   by   their   fathers,   and   brothers   shine   on   sisters,   and   sisters   please   to   mothers.    Lendar   are   even   beginning   to   lust   after   lendar, and   lennaí   after   lennaí. In   the   midst   of   this,   some   unknown   power   enables   a   Giant   to   impersonate   a   Star.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             They   all   knew   what   he   was   talking   about.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “An   evil   walks   among   us. I   have   looked   into   its’   eyes. I   bear   the   scar   of   its’   laughter   in   my   limping. It   has   entered   into   the   body   of   Angar   our   brother.”   Vividly   he   described   the   duel,   the   portentuous   unnatural   power   of   Angar,   and   his   terrible   words. The   Sun   and   Moon   concurred   in   his   statement.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “But   where   could he   be?”   cried   Barvast.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “He   must   have   taken   refuge   with   one   of   you!”   accused   Hormo.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Are   you   saying   I’d   harbor   him,   wingfoot?”   Barvast   threatened.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Bedlam   erupted. Hormo   and   Barvast   were   shouting. Doldûn   was   accusing   Drëdo   of   harboring   Angar. Drëdo,   the   eldest   and   leader,   was   trying   to   shout   some   sense   into   everyone   else. Üra   was   sneering. Gentos   was   saying   something   and   saying   it   ever   louder. Even   silent   Lundno   looked   roused.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Forest’s   flesh   grew   chilled,   as   if   eyes   of   unutterable   cold   rested   on   him. He   turned   around. Angar   invisible   stood   nearby,   laughing   to   himself,   his   freezing   eyes   burning   into   Forest. He   knew   Forest   was   there. Suddenly   the   scene   vanished   as   the   Road   whisked   Forest   away,   even   as   the   awful   hand   of   Chaos   reached   out   for   him.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Whirling   scenes   shot   by   him   with   each   step   of   his   foot. One   seemed   to   be   a   sky   filled   with   large   brilliant   flashing    stars,   and   instead   of   the   eerie   heartrending   starstriking   singing,   all   he   heard   was   a   static   of   shouting   voices:   every   star   seemed   to   be   berating   every   other   star. Shouts   of   “Giant!”   mingled   with   shouts   of   “Angarist!”   Beating   weirdness   of   rayed   light   sparkled   in   every   direction   from   everyone;   it   was   like   a   forest   of   fireworks   that   hang   in   place   and   do   not   spread.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             These   faded   behind   him,   and   he   saw   marching   up   the   sky   seven   great   companies   of   silent   gleaming   soldiers,   and   each   as   it   passed   threw   open   a   door   in   the   air,   revealing   huge   factories   of   weapons. The   doors   opened   with   a   wrenching   groan   like   the   splitting   of   the   worlds,   and   at   each   opening   the   sky   quivered. The   weapons   within   gleamed   chill   and   dreadful,   intricate   as   a   frost-laden   tangle   of   undergrowth. A   few   looked   similar   to   the   ones   Arcturus   made,   but   by   and   large   the   designs   were   so   disparate   it   was   obvious   each   hoard   had   been   developed   independently. He   saw   flashes   of   Stars   donning   weapons,   noting   the   different   styles   and   colors   of   each—red,   blue,   violet,   grey   and   green,   ochre   and   silver.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">              Suddenly   he   stood   on   a   ruined   tower   of   hard   light,   recently   broken,   for   light   was   still   evaporating   from   the   edges   of   the   rents   in   pale   gleaming   curls   of   mist. Luminous   jags   and   sharp   spires   of   broken   fragments   jutted   pale   yellow   against   the   deep   dark   blue   of   the   cerulean   vault. In   a   corner   crouched   the   Twins,   pale,   battered,   their   forms   looking   ready   to   collapse. As   if   they   had   just   suffered   defeat.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             They   had. Towering   above   them   stood   Angar   the   Dark,   his   eyes   red   and   burning   with   a   queer   light,   and   his   form   was   so   huge   Forest   wondered   how   the   other   Stars   did   not   see   it,   until   he   realised   Angar   was   only   visible   to   the   Twins.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   are   mighty   among   the   Stars,   but   you   are   nothing   beside   me.”   the   deep   grinding   voice   of   the   Lord   of   Chaos   mocked. “In   thy   condition   I   could   kill   thee,   but   see,   I   let   thee   live.”   He   waved   his   hand   and   the   waveriness   of   their   forms   stiffened,   and   color   returned   to   their   faces. “For   I   am   the   Lord   of   Life   and   of   Death.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Why   did   you   seek   us   out?”   gasped   Apollo.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   have   shaped   thee   and   guided   thee   thy   whole   entire   lives. It   was   by   my   power   that   thy   father   came   to   thy   mother. I   begot   thee. I   have   fashioned   thee   all   these   years,   for   just   such   an   hour.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   got   me   with   child!”   Diana   accused   fiercely;   but   her   voice   lacked   heart. “You   destroyed   my   virginity! You   betrayed   me!”   Artollo   said   nothing.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   made   thee   big   that   thou   might   be   strong,   Diana.”   laughed   Angar. “I   made   thee   big   so   that   thou   might   sacrifice   thy   own   son,   and   thy   abortion   make   thee   grow   strong. Thou   art   children   of   Giant   and   of   Star,   descended   from   spirits:   thou   art   stronger   than   any   being   that   walks   in   the   heavens.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   Twins   said   nothing,   staring   at   him   with   large   eyes.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Thou   should   not   fear   nor   venerate   the   Gods,   those   wizened   beings   stooped   with   years. Thou   should   not   worship   the   strength   of   thy   sires;   for   thy   sires   are   weak,   and   soon   to   be   brought   low. There   is   no   real   war   between   me   and   thee. Thou   hated   me   only   from   resentment. But   I   can   give   power   to   thee,   my   dear   niece   and   nephew. The   power   of   the   Sun   and   Moon   themselves.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             He   held   out   two   quivers. Wrought   of   black   metal   bands   intricately   curling   among   leather   strips,   the   quivers   had   a   high   cruel   look   to   them. Out   of   them   rose   arrows,   tightly   bunched,   hundreds   of   them;   but   arrows   more   weird   and   dreadful   of   shape   than   anything   Forest   had   ever   seen. Their   subtle   heads   had   fluted   curling   edges   that   seemed   to   fade   into   nothingness,   so   it   was   hard   to   say   where   edge   stopped   and   sky   began. Shaft   and   bark   and   feather   glowered   with   a   dark   red   light,   though   their   substance   was   black:   the   glow   of   power. “Do   as   I   shall   command   thee,   and   when   I   say   to   act,   and   when   battle   is   hottest   thou   shalt   overcome   with   these   thy   feeble   grandsires   the   Sun   and   Moon. For   I   powered   them   with   myself,   which   I   had   diffused   into   matter.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Slowly   their   hands   reached   out   to   take   the   quivers.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Another   voice   broke   in   on   Forest’s   ears. He   saw   at   once   that   he   was   in   a   dungeon   beneath   the   earth,   for   earth   made   its’   walls;   and   sitting   in   the   mud   of   the   dark   floor   was   a   girl   in   rags. Her   face   was   grimed   and   filthy,   but   despite   this   it   was   clear   she   was   extraordinarily   beautiful. Her   eyes   had   a   dull   glaze. She   sat   perfectly   still,   now   and   then   shapeshifting   hand   or   foot   and   watching   absently   the   changing   forms,   until   she   relaxed   it   and   let   herself   go   limp   again.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             With   a   thud   two   men   appeared   in   the   cell. One   was   tall   and   stringy,   with   hair   like   red   fire;   the   other   was   a   Star   in   strange   robes,   shining   a   faint   and   eerie   purple-blue:   Polaris,   King   of   the   Northern   Hemisphere,   second   in   power   only   to   the   Planets   themselves.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “She   is   far   gone,   Polaris.”   the   red   one   said. At   the   voice   Forest   gave   a   violent   start:   for   he   knew   it. “Why   did   you   call   me   up,   merely   to   visit   her?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “The   dungeon   is   protected   by   the   vallfarnda   of   the   Sun   and   Moon   themselves.”   said   Polaris. “But   thou   art   Carn’hell’nar. Surely   the   Father   of   Dragons   can   overcome   it.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Surely   you   did   not   call   me   out   of   the   constellations   merely   to   pull   her   out   and   wash   her   bottom   clean,   for   an   hour   of   pleasure?”   the   Father   of   Dragons   said   darkly.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Thou   sayest   rightly. Nay,   I   desire   both   thy   help   and   hers   on   an   enterprise   I   have   long   held   in   mind,   but   which   in   the   current   chaos   is   suddenly   much   more   attainable. The   Evening   Star.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “The   Mariner.”   Carn’hell’nar   said   thoughtfully. “You   wish   to   go   up   against   the   Silmaril? How   do   you   think   I   can   overcome   it,   when   not   even   Ancalagon   my   mightiest   stood   out   against   it?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Thou   forget   that   he   has   a   curse   on   him   also,   the   Mariner:   he   is   never   to   touch   earth,   whether   the   waters   of   the   seas   or   the   soil   of   the   ground;   nor   mingle   in   the   affairs   of   men. We   need   not   overcome   him. All   we   need   to   do   is   make   him   touch   the   ground.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “She   is   of   little   use   in   such   a   venture.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Thou   art   the   Father   of   Dragons. Heal   her,   then,   that   she   may   know   what   we   intend.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “It   is   done.”   said   Carn’hell’nar   with   a   wave   of   his   hand. The   girl   was   sitting   up,   staring   avidly   at   them. “Charosa,   sweetling,   did   you   hear   what   we   were   saying?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “The   Evening   Star.”   said   Charosa,   her   voice   bright   and   hard. “You   are   taking   down   the   Mariner.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Yes.”   the   Dragon   smiled   darkly. “Such   is   the   proposal.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   want   him.”   she   said,   rising   to   her   feet. Her   rags   shapeshifted   into   flowing   gossamer   robes,   through   which   her   splendid   body,   suddenly   clean,   glowed   fiercely. “He   is   mine. I   want   his   body   on   mine. The   only   male   ever   to   refuse   my   advances. I   want   his   ship. I   want   his   jewel. I   want   to   shine   in   his   place   as   the   Evening   Star. He   walks   so   pure   among   us,   so   lofty,   clinging   to   his   elfling   bird-maid   and   despising   all   others. I   hate   him.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   may   find   that   jewel   to   be   more   than   you   can   handle.”   the   Dragon   said   with   a   dark   smile. “It   has   burned   even   the   hands   of   spirits…but   a   Star,   it   would   melt.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   can   counterfeit   it’s   light. All   I   desire   is   his   place   in   the   heavens.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “So   be   it.”   said   Carn’hell’nar,   an   ironic   smile   still   playing   on   his   lips. “Let   us   beset   the   just   one,   for   his   ways   are   repellant   to   us. Let   us   set   a   snare   for   his   feet,   and   a   tripwire   in   his   path. For   he   is   a   reproach   to   our   ways,   and   his   life   is   a   rebuke   to   ours. Let   us   see   if   the   Gods   will   defend   him   in   distress.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Their   dark   voices   faded. Sophia’s   voice,   taunt   with   anguish   and   sorrow,   replaced   it. She   was   standing   in   the   window   of   a   broken   tower,   from   which   all   light   had   leaked;   the   crystal   was   dead   and   black,   the   jagged   shapes   like   shattered   glass   against   the   deepness   of   blue. In   her   arms   was   Arcturus,   and   he   was   bristling   with   weapons,   so   that   he   seemed   like   some   horrible   titanic   hedgehog   of   death. Outside   the   stars   wheeled   and   boiled.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Arcturoha,   please   it   you,   go   not! Shine   not! No   good   can   come   of   this.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Some   sense   may   yet   be   pierced   into   these   darkened   minds.”   Arcturus   said   sadly. “I   love   thee,   Sophiala,   and   I   should   long   ages   hence   have   made   thee   wife,   but   the   Shadow   lay   on   me   as   well   and   I   left   thee   unwed. And   now   there   is   no   time   for   marrying;   below   us   on   earth   the   storm   breaks,   and   above   us   the   Shadow   is   breaking   into   storm. Rain   pours   around   the   globe. One   thing   I   lay   upon   you,   for   the   love   you   bear   me. My   last   wish,   it   may   well   be.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   will   not   die!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “If   I   find   Angar,   I   will   die;   for   I   must   fight   him,   and   he   is   too   great   for   me. Listen   to   me,   Sophiala. Take   no   weapon. Make   no   fight. Take   no   part   in   this   dreadful   madness. I   no   longer   put   my   trust   in   the   science   of   Angar. If   the   curse   is   indeed   from   the   Gods,   then   it   will   work   in   our   despite,   or   else   the   Gods   will   come   to   enforce   it. Against   such   an   hour   was   it   imposed. If   we   do   go   to   war—Arda   dies.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Sophia   was   weeping   tears   of   white   fire. “My   joyheart,”   she   sobbed,   “I   obey. I   will   take   no   part   in   the   Rebellion   of   the   Stars.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Arcturus   kissed   her   passionately,   and   their   forms   merged   and   flowed   one   around   another,   the   weapons   hovering   in   a   manlike   shape   beside   him,   awaiting   their   master’s   attention.

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