by Firiel-(T) May 21, 2011
(Mouse-over the Ilkorin and Doriathin Elvish for the English translation.)
It was the day after the night of this tale that Saeros attempted to kill Túrin.
“Ngorthin drôg Dunntôro!Môrngortho drôg!” growled the Doriathrin Elf, pacing around. “Hath the Tôr had his mind befuddled by a boy of the diori? Tell me not! Is the uncouth lad of the wild Hithlum folk to be Tôro Dior?”
“So it is said,” said his companion dryly; “but mayhap not Thingol’s Heir; Deor hath that place.”
“Aye, the Successor!” laughed the first. His name
was Saeros. “But I have no quarrel with him; his mother is of our folk.”
“Still, this Doldunn is akin to that same Deor’s Aman; Doldunn hath an Adar whose friend and kinsman was the aman’s benn.
So maketh that not enough reason for thee, that he should be held high
by the king? And what of his prowess against the Môrurchin ?”
“I need no distant gwedhôr or tales of tûghôr to sway my dislike,” said Saeros sullenly. “Notice I not, Eltrom, that you have agreement. The shield shineth with Man’s red sun, not the Eglatho stars!”
Eltrom flushed. “The sullen sun hath no place in my
heart, much less upon my shield. But I have no quarrel with Men. This
Túrin Doldunn is a fair youth; and well he fights, tho’ he is a
lonesome one, and inclined to gloom.”
“Ah!” sneered Saeros, “taken by a sharp-sword! I
have a new name for Doldunn Black-head: what think you of Dember, the
Gloomy Warrior?”
“I think ’tis cruel,” said Eltrom quietly. “And I see not thy mock has reason.”
“Did he not but cast a vessel at me, in the king’s
hall this eve at feast?” said the Elf. “I may have provoked it; which
however certes hath not excuse for the breaking of my teeth!”
Eltrom grunted. “Harbor not resentment, Saeros,” he warned.
“What mattereth a blow to the head?” asked Saeros
bitterly, mimicking his friend’s tone. “Merely this. My teeth and my
pride, sore now are. Should you care? The king’s heart is turned
overmuch to the boy. Dember hath a heart sullen on the defeat of Men,
and see, he turneth it upon Eglan folk. Yea! Mablung hath restrained me from teaching Túrin
Woodwose his lesson. Would you restrain me from my wrath’s outpouring
also? Or is King’s Law not enough for thee as well? The Hunter said to
me (and haughty his demeanor was) that “it may be that the King’s Law
will judge a broken mouth a just return for your taunting.” When I
spoke of the drawing of sword by the Woodwose he but answered, “That
seems to me less certain.” Is not the King’s Law heavy against they who
do hurt to his lieges in the hall and the unsheathers of swords there?”
“Yea, ’tis so,” said his friend. “But methinks
Mablung hath the better knowing. Did not he also warn of Morgoth’s
malice and its shadow here? The dairi may give way to a darker Shadow. And were thy manner and words not cruel?”
To this Saeros made no answer.
At length Eltrom rose. “I wish not to be in thy
presence this night, O friend; it seemeth darker, and I find I wish me
away. To a meeting that better the Gellel shine on!” So he passed from the room; but the shadow in the heart of Saeros did not lift.