The Hall of Fire

[The Witch King]

This is the Hall of Fire. Here you will hear many songs and tales.
In it there are no tables, but a bright fire is burning in a great hearth between the carven pillars on either side.

There is always a fire here, all the year round, but there is little other light.

[Rad]

All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
Yavanna made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
each little bird that sings,
She made their tiny voices,
She made their tiny wings.

[Arwen]

*Sits crossed legged on the floor and listens to Radagast enjoying the heat of the fire.*

[Rad]

One for sorrow,
Two for mirth,
Three's a funeral,
Four's a birth.......

[Indis]

*comes and sits by the fire to warm herself and dry her hair.......can feel herself falling asleep with the warmth and the music*

[Arwen]

*Carry on Radagast we're enjoying listening to you.*

Was that last bit about magpies?

[Imrel]

*slips in quietly and stands by the door.*
five for silver,
six for gold,
seven for a secret,
never told.

[Rad]

Ah Firebird
It is a true pleasure to cross paths with one who still remembers the old songs.
It has been so long.

Yes, Arwen, that was a song about magpies.

The one I first learnt as a child went likes this:

One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Threes a girl,
And Fours a boy,
Five is silver,
Six is gold,
Sevens a story,
never told.

There are as many variations on this basic theme as there are creations of Yavanna.

Would any of you like to translate birdsong into shirish (english) with me?
We could take turns to do a line.

I'll start.

[Rad]

                                       The Sunrise Herald

(A Birdsong common among many birds, welcoming in the new day)

Hail Anar! The fire-golden! Fruit of Laurelin!

[Imrel]

i'm not sure if i'll get this right...

hail the silver dawn, the sunstreamed glades, the dewstained blooms.

[Arwen]

*Listens intently to their beautiful song. The firelight dancing on her elven features.*

[Rad]

Indis? Arwen?

JOIN IN!

Anybody else?

JOIN IN!



p.s. nice one firebird - great rhythm! ;D

[Arwen]

I would like to sing a song of old: The Tale of the renowned contest between Felagund and Sauron.
I feel a little introduction is in order:
Finrod Felagund and Beren entered Saurons realm of Taur-nu-Fuin disguised as orcs but Sauron grow suspicious of them and a contest of songs of power was undertaken as is told in the Lay of Leithian:

He chanted a song of Wizardry,
Of peircing, opening, of treachery,
Revealing, uncovering, betraying.
Then sudden Felagund there swaying
Sang in answer a song of staying,
Resisting, battling against power,
Of secrets kept, strength from a tower,
And trust unbroken, freedom, escape,
Of changing and of shifting shape,
Of snares eluded, broken traps,
The prison opening, the chain that snaps.
Backwards and forwards swayed their song.
Reeling and floundering, ever more strong
The chanting swelled, Felagund fought,
And all the magic and might he brought
Of Elvenesse into his words.
Softly in the gloom they heard the birds,
Singing afar in Nargothrond,
The sighing of the sea beyond,
Beyond the western world, on sand,
On sands of pearls in Elvenland.
Then the gloom gathered, darkness growing,
In Valinor, the red blood flowing,
Beside the sea where the Noldor slew
The Foamriders and stealing drew
Their white ships with their white sails
From lamplit havens. The wind wails,
The wolf howls. The Ravens flee.
The ice mutters in the mouth of the sea.
The captives sad in Angbad mourn.
Thunder rumbles, the fires burn -
And Finrod fell before the throne.

[Imrel]

*her applause echoes around the chamber.* brilliant, 'wen. where did you learn it?

[Arwen]

*blushes slightly*

Thanks Firebird. It is an ancient song from the First Age.