After such a long time, there was silence, peace and quiet on Amon Rûdh. As calm night fell down outside and the waning moon rose high upon clear skies of Beleriand, only the burning torches on the walls and lamps hanging from the ceiling lit the faces of the three survivors:
Andróg,
Beleg and
Gil-Galad.
All were lost in their thoughts.
Beleg, looking at the dead corpse of the terrible beast lying in front of them, remembered with pain Túrin his friend and his last words. "I knew there was something evil going to happen," he muttered to himself. "Alas! But what shall I say to Thingol the King? How could I face Húrin the Steadfast if he ever returns from the shadows? And what will I say to Morwen, mother of Nienor - that both of her children are lost?"
The joy of victory disappeared. Just sorrow remained.
Gil-Galad observed the dead body with disgust. What a terrible creature has lived alongside them all these days! He should have run during the days they were outside with the Dwarf, leaving this terrible place behind. He shuddered. But at least he is now alive and safe - unless he has anything to worry about from these two? He looked sideways on those he knew before as Macalaure and Rikae.
Andróg mourned only a little. Yes, he was sad of loss of his captain, with whom he wanted to continue the life of an outlaw. And even he was shocked by the terrible fate that befell the children of Húrin. But now he was holding the precious bow of Beleg, and the knowledge of it for a moment smoothed away all the thoughts of evil and danger of previous days and nights. He palmed the black wood of
Belthronding and a smile appeared on his face.
Unnoticed by the remaining Outlaws,
Mîm walked into the place. With fear, he looked at the carcass that once was the guy who be short and then looked at the faces of the standing. He noticed the smile on Andróg's face and frowned. Old hatred woke inside him again, now intensified by the recent events. How comes poor Túrin and Nienor and other good men and women are dead, and this wretched one still lives! With no less hatred he looked at Beleg. Serves him right, being robbed of what he cared the most, he thought to himself. But at that moment Beleg looked at him and their eyes met.
"Mîm!" he said. "Look, the last beast is dead: the hill is clear again."
"Mîm's heart cannot rejoice," said the Dwarf. "Both his sons lie in deep sleep now, and the friend of his chose to end his life."
Beleg came near to him. "I know how you feel: I, too, lost those whom I beloved. But you are now free of your debt, and we will no longer trouble you. I have to leave soon, to bring, alas, bad tidings to those of my kin. And the rest will probably leave you soon as well."
"The Elf is right," spoke Gil-Galad. "There is nothing for us here. At least I don't want to stay in this place, and if possible, do not want to see it again. I may join some outlaws to continue the battle against the Enemy, but - I will avoid Amon Rûdh on long distance."
"That said -" Beleg turned to Andróg. But the outlaw raised his hand. "I know what are you going to say, Elf. But there will be time. Let us sleep now. I am terribly tired."
Beleg nodded. "All right, then. We will burn the beast's body tomorrow and then speak. Go to sleep if you want. But I will spend the last night beside the entrance, remembering my friend." With these words he headed in that direction; and Andróg's sight followed him.
* * *
It was deep night still and Mîm the Dwarf was sneaking through the corridors of Amon Rûdh. Treading lightly, he at last came to the place he was seeking. First, he just took a peek in the room, but when nothing was to be seen, quietly he entered. Only a few steps in front of him he knew was the place, where his enemy slept. Soundlessly, he raised the bow he was holding. "If he does, he shall die by it," sounded in his ears. "That curse I lay on him -"
But before he could prepare the arrow to shoot, something pulled him, a hand gagged his mouth and he was picked up. The bow fell to the ground. Mîm kicked his legs, but he couldn't make a sound. He felt as something took a dart from his quiver and put it to his throat.
"Shh," said Andróg. "You don't want to wake up Gil-Galad, don't you." The Petty Dwarf was tossing himself, but to no effect. He felt as the arrowhead is pressing harder on his neck.
"Stop it," spoke the Outlaw once again, "or I will have to fulfil
my curse myself. You surely don't want that. Or do you? I need only a little service from you. I know there is a hidden way out of the hill. Now where is it?"
Mîm felt that the hand holding his mouth loosened its grip. "I won't tell you anything," he chuckled. "You killer, murderer! My sons are dead, now I care not of my life anymore! You can do whatever you want to me, but I am not going to help you -"
"Indeed?" said Andróg with soft voice. "Then sorry." Suddenly Mîm felt a pain and warm blood began to flow on his neck. "I will tell! I will tell!" he breathed. Behind him, in the darkness, Andróg smiled. "So you are still afraid of death," he said. "Now tell me."
* * *
It was morning and
Gil-Galad awoke sooner that day. "Hey, Elf!" he shouted, coming out of the cave. "Are you awake? I want to leave this place as soon as possible."
Beleg was still sitting on the edge of the cliff. "I burned that carrion as sun rose," he said. "We can leave now. Only I need to have a word with Andróg. Is he awoke yet?"
"I have not seen him," said Gil-Galad. "Maybe he sleeps still."
"Let us see, then," Beleg said, stood up and went to the cave, followed by Gil-Galad. But when they reached Andróg's room, the only thing they found was old Mîm lying on the floor in bonds. There was blood on his clothes. "What happened here?" asked Beleg when he released the Dwarf. "He put bonds on me!" he cried.
"We saw that," muttered Gil-Galad.
"He put bonds on me! AGAIN!" cried Mîm. "I will never, never, never forget him! Curse him, curse him forever! And all who offer aid or show mercy to him shall be cursed too!"
"Stop that," said Beleg. "Don't you have enough curses? How did he flee?"
"He forced me to show him the hidden stair," said the Dwarf, angered. "I will kill him, I swear I will kill him if I see him - !"
"I think we should leave," said Gil-Galad. "That little man is clearly out of his mind."
Beleg rose. "You are right. Fare thee well, Mîm, with all joy that can remain in your life!"
"Joy?" said the Dwarf. "There is no joy left for Mîm. Only revenge! Yes, revenge..."
The two Outlaws walked away, leaving the old Dwarf to himself.
* * *
Sun shone brightly that day and western wind blew. Beleg and Gil-Galad looked from the top of the hill upon the plains, forests and in the far north the shadowy heights of Dor-Lómin.
"I think I may go home," said Gil-Galad. "What about you?"
"Me, too," said Beleg. "I have some news to tell..."
"All right then," the young Outlaw reached his arm. "Fare thee well. Hopefully we may see each other again, in a better place. And - hey, your bow! You are leaving it to the old scoundrel?"
But Beleg did not answer. So Gil-Galad just shrugged and turned to climb down the hill, as Beleg's high stature still remained standing silently above him; until he descended among the piled rocks and then he saw the Elf no more.