Tianwen·Magweth Pengolodh

Robes of weapons, our own rank symbols are thus in disarray.

I was hit hard several times.When I reported to the Armory, I'd have died twice if I hadn't happened to get a newly designed helmet.Another warrior, seeing me reaching for a victim's sword, reminded me that it is better to use a spear, because we can keep the enemy at a certain distance.The spear is also a useful lever between falling rocks, and a cane to support us when we are numb from fatigue.We have talked to each other and calmly accepted our approaching death.If it were not for the battle in our Gondolin, more than one would lie down to die.Tuo was luckier than us.He went to look for Idril, and found her, just in time to witness the collapse of the palace.Our battered princess - now our queen - cries beside him in armor, and he is our star of hope like a male tiger around a tigress.

When they were together, Tuor looked about him, and his eyes were bloodshot, and he was panting with fatigue.He shouted hoarsely: "Okay! We are finished. If you want to live, we must get out of here while they are busy looting the collapsed palace! Go to your family and friends and tell them..." He continued The escape tunnel.I think it's finally time.We live so close to my home, I feel incredibly lucky.I staggered and got there as fast as I could.Although there was smoke coiling from the open door, the house wasn't on fire or even looted, just empty.I searched, called for 5 minutes, and even descended into the cellar; I was filled with equal parts hope and fear.I can only pray that Thingo Thiel has activated the secret I told her.

Pausing for a moment at the polished smooth table we've eaten at countless meals, I feel the house start to tremble, like the striding stars of doom.something is coming.Without even trying to figure out what it was, I fled out the back door.Leaving like that almost brought me to tears.I used to go out like that every day, to the library and the scribe in Gondolin, to—and then I thought of Rumir.

Rumir must have attended the king's council, and then what?I have no idea.When planning Gondolin, Rómil had insisted that his private quarters be built in the library, so as not to drag his lame foot too far.It seemed sensible at the time, but now, it is frightening that the square, including the library, is so close to the crumbling royal palace.I ran there without thinking.If I had thought about it, I might have decided that Rumir should have attended a meeting in the palace and died with the king, or else he would have been sensible enough to escape to the tunnel.However, my blood boiled with renewed fear and hope, and I didn't think about reason at all.

I passed dead bodies and collapsed houses along the way, and the blood in the streets was still fresh.I was traumatized by an encounter on the way and made me suffer even more.In spite of my bruises, I outrun those bow-legged orcs.A side alley led to the square I was going to, and I stopped.

The Library of Gondolin, the Hall of Books, still stands, but it doesn't look like it will be standing for long.A giant dragon longer than two carts crouched in the middle of the square, hissing towards the library's gate.When the dragon entered the square, its thick tail had knocked down other buildings.It stretches its neck.I worked my way around it, peering through the smoke and swirling mist.Its target is the one -- or several -- people standing in front of the library.

"Enough," it hissed, "give it up. You say you'll defend your treasure to the death, but you're about to die!" The gigantic reptile evidently thought the library guards were out for gold and gold. Jewelry is ready to fight to the death.It licked its lips with its forked black tongue and said, "Give me a part, and I will spare your life. You are wise to do so."

"Reptile, you really let me down." A deep voice came over.My heart jumped for joy, and at the same time my blood cooled.That was Rumir's voice.He was still alive - lame and old, he dared to challenge a dragon.I stayed downwind and tiptoed up to watch.Rumir stood deep in the archway at the library's entrance, where his voice could echo.He wore a large fuchsia cloak that concealed his fragility. "Ever since I heard about your race, I hope to fight wits and courage with one of them. It's a pity that you are mediocre."

The evil dragon roared, stood up coiled up, and bent its thick neck: "Bastard, we fire dragons are not 'mere'! You will learn this right away." It began to inhale deeply, brewing flame.I raised the spear I had picked up, took a breath myself, and at the same time chose a place to attack on the huge scale-covered body.

Before I could jump out, Rumir's voice sounded again just before the dragon spit out the foul-smelling flames.He chanted it aloud in the Valaran tongue he had scarcely taught, and the power in the words he chanted made the dragon writhe and choke as if something were stuck in his throat.It growled in defiance, the sound meaningless, shaking its horrible head, but no matter how much it struggled, it stayed where it was, as if trying to vomit and couldn't.When it trembled most, Rumir fell silent, and cried in a language I understood: "Your darkness has been cast out. Morgoth once stole you and filled you with evil spirits, and now you are restored As it was - Beast from the Age of Lamp. Freedom!"

The huge reptile staggered to its feet, and it was no longer a dragon.It looked around blankly, black saliva dripping from its coffin-wide mouth, which was loosely opened, revealing its knife-like teeth.It looked to the left, then to the right, more and more afraid of the strange sights around it—it was out of its own time, a long-lost era.In just an instant, it turned all fear into anger, and embers of madness lit up in its eyes.Rumir, exhausted from singing the song of power, staggered and staggered.I shouted to him: "Rumil, beware!" and our enemies sprang into action with a sudden rage.If it was still a dragon, I might try to argue with it, but it's just a beast now.Seeing me with those dull eyes, it turned sharply, and with a more savage growl, it rose on its hind legs.It swung its tail out for balance, and hit the pillars in front of the library, sweeping away the graceful arcade.The elegant façade of the building, which had been crumbling from previous disasters, finally collapsed—on Rumir!I yelled in despair, sprinting aside as the beast wobbled forward.

Just when I thought all hope was lost, another evil dragon of a more slender variety slid into the square: "I said, what is this all about? You should have cleaned up this place long ago. Hurry up!" Get that guy out." The newcomer's words awakened a certain age-old competitiveness in the beast.It opened its mouth as far as it could go, and charged at the new dragon. "You'll never take criticism," the dragon hissed, rushing up to meet him.They wrestled and soon brought down more buildings.

I hardly bothered.I sprinted to the ruins of what had once been the library gate, and soon found what I was looking for—just a corner of fuchsia cloth, stained with stone chips.What I never expected was a wave of my hand as I grabbed the corner of the fabric. "Rumir! Rumir, I am Pengolod," I said, removing every rock I could pry from him.He was still mostly buried under the great stone of the arch. "You've been hit," I said after another moment.

Rumir groaned.His hood slid back, revealing a pale face covered in bruises. "I think...the dragon...has done what the Orcs started long ago." He coughed and spat blood.And I burst into tears.

I choked up and said, "I'm sorry. It's my fault. I wish I hadn't screamed, I wish I had come sooner...I'm just prying these rocks with my spear—"

He said gruffly, "Don't. I said, I'm useless. You might as well salvage something else instead of dragging my broken bones out." He nodded to the library that opened behind us Grinning like a skull, "Even in the end, it's my library. As long as there's a glimmer of hope, I'll leave it to hell. But it's the last moment. Those books , those old tales." He coughed again, "if the Orcs tear them up and use them for their dirty work, I'll be damned. Take what you can, and go The Idril road, the rest—burn them."

"I swear." I promise.

He slowly closed his eyes. "I knew you would. Good luck, my boy," he said.Then he died.

For a moment, I was overwhelmed with grief.A roar of triumph erupted from the other side of the square, making me jump.The thick-necked reptile was biting the fallen dragon, cutting off chunks of flesh with its sharp claws.Once again billows of black smoke rose from the square.Time is running out for me to fulfill my vow.

I scrambled over the rubble holding on to my spear.The tall beech doors of the library were still hanging on their hinges, but broken enough that I could squeeze my way through.I limped past the ornamental vestibule, which was cracked and half collapsed.I entered the large scroll room.Save the books - this is my teacher's