Jaekob at the Hall of the Ancients, Part 2

   The Druid was exhausted and fell into reverie exactly where he had collapsed, exhausted by the formidable journey to the Halls of Honor. (Reverie is the elvish form of sleep. They rest but are aware of everything around them.) It was hours or was it days before he slipped back into a total awareness, his clothes torn and ragged his hair unkempt, dirty and tangled. His body was caked in various dirts and muds chronicling his journey to the Halls of Honor, home of the Ancients.

   Slowly, he pushed upward on his palms and rose to stand near the statue. He wanted to touch it, his body ached to render his flesh to the marvel that shone itself before him. Then he paused and looked first to his right to note the large doors he had pushed open and left for the cold to have its way. Still the Halls felt amazingly comfortable. He reached into his rucksack and fumbled around until he found the last piece of lembas bread. He slowly removed the mallorn leaf and began to nibble the dry, crisp bread slowly. Then his tired eyes caught sight of the steps leading to the dais and the throne which sat there, wrapped in vines and limbs that probably rivaled his age easily.

Jaekob Discovers the Throne of the Ancients

He moved slowly, each step seemingly deliberate as his worn body moved up each step until his trembling fingers could touch the throne.. It was warm to the touch; it did not reflect the cold outside or the emptiness of the Hall. Rather, it seemed as if the owner had only just arisen from the throne. He let his hand grasp the arm of the throne and let his body slowly move to sit on the throne of the ancients. Then, his body seemed to tremble and he let go the arm of the throne and stepped backward as if some awe or fear had creeped through his worn body.

Then he turned and with a heavy sigh moved back down the steps that had led to the dais, he began to weave and work his way through the thick vines searching each room, each nook and cranny for signs of life. After all, he had come to the Halls for answers, for help. And he would not leave until he had them.