The Story of Cuzza, Turgon's son of Gondolin

by Cuzza

There came a time when Turgon, in Nevrast, wished for counsel from King Thingol of Doriath. Thus he rode to Doriath with his trusted friend and advisor Drakedon, who was of Finarfin's people who had come from Valinor. But there was still great hate between the peoples of Doriath and the Noldor, and Turgon was not allowed to visit Menegroth. However Drakedon was allowed to enter, since he was of the people of Finarfin.

Drakedon went with the Sindarin Elves into the forest but (being a bit of a clutz) hit his head on a low branch and fell down a hole. For whatever reason, the elves did not notice his absence, and continued without him. Thus, wandering in the woods, Drakedon came across the most beautiful thing he had ever seen - Luthien the daughter of Thingol and Melian. He was immediately under her enchantments, and he forgot his purpose of meeting the King. All he wanted to do was go back and tell Turgon what he had seen. This he did, and when he came back, alone to Turgon's encampment, Turgon was wary of Drakedon, but trusted in his words. Drakedon made up counsel that he told Turgon was from King Thingol. Turgon, unsuspecting, believed this and they left soon after.

During their ride back to Vinyamar, Drakedon was under the spell of Luthien, and all he could think about were his carnal desires for her. They had just crossed the Brithiach when they were waylaid by orcs. Samovuk was with them and he mowed down the attackers with flailing overhand strokes from his enormous spiked club. Drakedon was also a great warrior, and, though all of their party was slain, he escaped with Turgon and Samovuk into the wilds. They wandered alone until they came across a small hut, concealed beneath the eaves of the mountains. Within they found a sole Elf maiden, who told Turgon she had lived alone there all her life. Unbeknownst to them, in her youth she had been captured and sent to the pits of Angband as a slave. Although still pure at heart, she had been corrupted by Morgoth into a crafty seductress, and took a strong liking to Turgon. She gave him what he thought was wine, and he drank his fill.

Drakedon was getting worse, and his desires were overpowering his will. Thus he counselled Turgon, "She is but a lonely Elf maiden - and very beautiful at that. Give in to your deepest desires!" Samovuk recognised that Drakedon was under a powerful enchantment, and tried to stop Turgon, but it was to no avail, and Turgon left the next morning feeling good about himself, but then realised he had made a terrible mistake.

"No one must no of my terrible indiscretion!" he told the others. Samovuk, being loyal to his lord, kept the secret till the end of his days. However Drakedon's enchantment wore off, and had no memory of the previous night's occurrences. But he would always remember the Beautiful face of Luthien - little knowing they would meet again someday.....

The Elf maiden who had seduced Turgon was named Tapestry, and she continued to live alone in her hut. And unbeknownst to Turgon, his child grew within her. So it came to pass that she gave birth to a son. A high Elf he was, as the son of one who had lived in the light of the trees. Tapestry taught him to hate the dark enemy, and she saw a great power within him. The young Elf was named Cusarn, or 'bowstone', since his power and accuracy with a stone in hand had rivalled the marksmanship of the most skilled archer, although over a shorter range. But Tapestry could not reveal the identity of his father to him, for she did not know herself who it was whom she had seduced those many years ago.

Fearod, son of Finwe, was the greatest Elven warrior who ever lived, and would often go alone hunting orc bands. With his flaming sword from Valinor which had been wrought by his brother Feanor, he would single-handedly massacre entire legions of the foul creatures.

It was on one such quest that Fearod came across a small band of a dozen or so orcs. Naturally he charged them, expecting an easy kill. Little did he know they were led by Sauron who had taken the form of an orc. Sauron saw the great Elf coming and took the form of a great Balrog, only darker and more evil.

"At last we meet, son of Finwe" said Sauron. "And it will be the last time" swore the Elf. Sauron strode forth to single combat with Fearod, and they fought hand to hand while the orcs stayed back and watched. Such was the fighting power of Fearod, that none could match him, save the mighty Tulkas himself, and Fearod gradually gained the upper hand over Sauron. But the orcs saw their opportunity and fell on Fearod from behind. They would surely have slain the great warrior, who had very nearly met his match with the lieutenant of Morgoth, had it not been for a shower of stones that came whistling through the air, one by one striking each orc dead on the forehead. Realising he was defeated, Sauron forsook his physical form and fled back to Angband. Fearod turned to see a young Elf perched atop a low hill, with yet another stone in hand. "'Twas thou whom slew these foul beasts of Morgoth?" asked Fearod. "'Twas not I, my lord; 'Twas the trusty stone with which I defend mine self," replied Cusarn, for it was of course the long lost son of Turgon.

"Where dost thou dwell in these parts?" asked Fearod.

"In a small hut in the next valley my lord" replied Cusarn. Cusarn invited the great warrior to his house to provide him with lodging for the night, and Fearod was most grateful for this gesture. He recognised there was high Elven blood in this Elf, and suggested Cusarn and his mother, Tapestry, leave their poor lodgings and go live with the Noldor in Hithlum. Cusarn replied to this,

"My mother is sick and unfit to travel" Then Fearod wrote a letter to his half brother, Fingolfin High King of the Noldor, explaining how the young Elf had saved his life, and asking that he and his mother be taken in by his people.

"Leave when you will, and hospitality you will find when you present this to any of my people," and with that he gave the letter his seal, and left to seek his nephew Finrod on Tol Sirion.

As time passed Tapestry recovered to full health, and Cusarn asked his mother to accompany him to the lands of the Noldor. Tapestry had lived there for many a year and was reluctant to leave her home. However she was eventually swayed to the will of Cusarn, and they made preparations to leave that spring.

The way was long, but the conditions were fair for travel and Cusarn and Tapestry made good time. Until one cool night when Cusarn had made a campfire, and was sitting reviewing their plans.

"I am most eager to meet the King, and pledge my service to him," he told Tapestry. But his mother was more cautious and replied, "I do not trust these Elves from over the sea. For all we know we may be slain the moment we arrive! All we have to go by is this hastily written letter!" and she snatched the parchment from the grasp of her son, when a sudden gust of wind blew it from her hand straight into the fire. Though Cusarn tried to save it, it was burnt to ashes. Tapestry was devastated, and wished to return home, but the destruction of the letter only hardened Cusarn's resolve to complete their journey.

"Nay, Mother," he told her, "we have come this far, and I shall not turn back! Destiny will deliver me to the Noldor, even into the service of the great Fearod himself!"

So they carried on without the letter, and through great hardship came to Hithlum and the realm of Fingolfin. However the King was far to busy to bother with wandering elves who had turned up out of the wilds, and they received little assistance from any of the Noldor. Since they had little money or possessions, after a few days they were forced to request lodgings at houses they passed along the way. Finally they were willfully received into the house of Feandil, a young Elf born in Hithlum, who said to them, "Come in, friends. Join me for supper and relate to me your story," which they did.

Now Feandil's father Feandor had been slain in the Dagor Aglareb, and his mother had passed away, she was so stricken with grief. Unmarried, Feandil lived alone and longed for adventure. Cusarn and Feandil talked long into the night. "Cusarn..." said Feandil, "What a strange name? I think I'll call you Cuzza. It's a lot easier to say you know." And from that day forth, everyone who knew Cusarn (except his mother Tapestry) called him by his nickname "Cuzza".

One day a rumour came to the house of Feandil. It was said that Turgon was on the move, and preparing a great journey for all his people, and any who would follow, to an unknown destination. Feandil related what he had heard to Cuzza and Tapestry, and added, "There is little for me here. I wish to join the people of Turgon and go with them, wherever they may be headed." Cuzza was of like mind, and Tapestry had no attachment to where they were, so she agreed to follow her son. Thus the three made their way to Nevrast, and joined one of the small companies that were secretly leaving for their new home.

So Cuzza, Tapestry and Feandil came to Gondolin, the city of Turgon built amidst the Encircling Mountains, where they made their home. The companies of Elves continued to arrive, one by one, for many years. Eventually the last of the elves arrived, and with the last company came King Turgon himself. The whole of the city turned out to greet his arrival. This was the first time Cuzza had laid eyes upon Turgon, but for some reason he felt a strange kinship with the King, which he could not explain. Tapestry however, immediately recognised the son of Fingolfin as the long lost father of her own son, and stricken with guilt fled unseen from the celebrations, and missed the feasting and revelry. She kept the secret of her affair with Turgon for many years.

During this time Feandil fell in love with a young elf maiden named Nenar, and they lived happily together. Cuzza became a leader amongst the young elves of the city, impressing many with his amazing stone throwing skills. Feandil would line up small shields along the low wall atop the Caragdur. Cuzza would stand a hundred feet down at the bottom and show off his aim, picking them off one by one with rocks. It was at one such demonstration that his natural talent and co-ordination were noticed by Samovuk, who was the chief of guard in Gondolin. He had come with Turgon to Gondolin, but Drakedon had remained behind, knowing he would never have the chance to meet Luthien again if he went to live in the hidden city.

Samovuk took Cuzza into training as a swordsman. Although there was not great power in his strokes, the first stroke often came so fast that an enemy had little time to respond, which made Cuzza a great fighter. Thus the young elf gained in stature in Gondolin, and was highly regarded by all who new him.

Morgoth had noticed the strength of the alliance between the Noldor and the Edain, thus he sent forth a plague of disease to weaken the forces of the Men of Dorthonion. The plague came eventually even to Gondolin, but Elves do not succumb to disease as readily as Men, and most were not affected. But the evil plague of Morgoth reignited the wounds that Tapestry had sustained while enslaved in Angband, and weakened, she fell sick to the fatal disease. On her death bed she lay with Cuzza by her side, and with her dying gasps she spoke, "Cusarn my son and most beloved. Before I pass there is something you must know."

"What is it, Mother?" asked Cuzza.

"Until relatively recently, the identity of your father had remained unknown to me. I now know and understand why you are such a gifted fighter, and why the light of the high elves burns in your eyes. You are the son of King Turgon." and with that she passed away.

At last Cuzza understood, and he grieved for his mother, for he had loved her dearly. He cursed Morgoth for bringing this plague upon her, and vowed revenge. But alone of his friends he told Feandil what he had discovered about his true identity, and Feandil counselled him thus:

"You are the son of the King, his only son, making you the heir to the throne of Gondolin. Confront the King, and he will see himself in you, and know you speak the truth." This counsel Cuzza rashly followed, and he resolved to persuade the King to make war on Morgoth.

"Spread the word! We go to force the King to prepare for war!" He cried. Now Cuzza had a great following amongst the people of Gondolin, and they rallied in support of his cause. So they followed him to the palace, chanting "Cuzza! Cuzza!" where he stormed into the throne room and walked even up to the king, whom he told in as many words,
"King Turgon, I am your son". The king looked into his eyes and immediately realised that this young Elf was, in fact, his own flesh and blood. Turgon was crafty with words however, and took it in his stride, replying "Of course you are, my son. You, 'Cuzza' as they call you, and all the people of this city are my children, and I love you all like a father." Cuzza was quite taken aback by this, but presented his demands.

"My King, we must make war on Morgoth immediately, and make him pay for all the wrongs he has brought to this world," But Turgon remained restrained, and told him, "My son, we all hate the dark enemy, I just as much as you. I have lost many of my people and my close kin in battle with his forces. No one wants revenge more than I! But now is not the time. When it comes we must be fully prepared, as an ill timed stroke will only hasten our defeat at the hands of Morgoth."

"Then if you will not support me, I shall go alone, and destroy Morgoth myself!"

"You cannot! The strength of our city lies in the fact that no one can pass in or out! I cannot allow you to leave, and so risk the betrayal of our location." Feandil relayed this message to the angry mob outside, which roared in disapproval.
"The people are behind me and they trust me," said Cuzza. "Deny my request and they will lose faith in their king!"
Turgon was greatly troubled by this. He knew he could not afford to lose the faith of his people, but neither did he wish for his son to be sent off to what seemed certain death. So, although deeply wounded by the rash actions of Cuzza, he made his judgement:

"I will grant your request, under one condition; Samovuk, my chief of guards, shall travel with you, so to certify that you either complete your quest, or perish in the attempt." Turgon trusted Samovuk implicitly, but made them both swear an oath, that they would return directly to Gondolin with all haste when the quest was over. But more than anything Turgon hoped that Samovuk would be able to persuade Cuzza to turn back from his foolish crusade. This was not the case, and as Cuzza and Samovuk departed through the Orfalch Echor the King wept in sorrow for his only son, who's rage and wrath were still hot within him. The pair turned north into the Vale of Sirion, and headed for Angband. Samovuk's efforts to dissuade Cuzza from his task were fruitless, as Cuzza ignored all counsel he would offer.
As it passed the came to the Fen of Serech, from which Samovuk wished to go no further, and tried to physically restrain the Elf who had once been his apprentice. This was to no avail as Cuzza easily escaped the grasp of his former master, and ran from him, but turned and spoke:

"Why should I return? If I do I would look a fool! Besides, I am the son of the king, and would be an embarrassment to him."

"What are you talking about? You are not Turgon's son! He has but the one child, Idril Celebrindal,"

"Did the King not tell you? You were there on the night it happened apparently." And so Cuzza relayed the story of Tapestry and Turgon to Samovuk, who cast his mind back all those years ago, and remembered that night in the hut.
"It is not too late my prince! Come back to Gondolin in honour of your bravery, even if it came to nought, and take your place at your father's side!"

"No," replied Cuzza, "I have come this far and shall not turn back!" Samovuk then rushed at Cuzza in an attempt to subdue him and force him to return, but quick as a flash Cuzza raised his right arm and let fly a rock that hit Samovuk in the head and laid him out cold.

"I am sorry, oh master, but none shall change my mind on this matter." And with that Cuzza turned, drew his sword with his left hand, and headed for Angband, alone.

The wide plain of Anfauglith lay in front of him, and the peaks of Thangorodrim smoked on the horizon, as Cuzza slowly trudged across the barren landscape, destined for Angband. Deep inside he knew his efforts were futile, but proud and stubborn he carried on towards what he now believed would be certain death. Even so, he knew he would die in high honour, in attempt to take revenge for the death of his dearly beloved mother, Tapestry. On and on he walked, and as the three peaks above the fortress of the Dark Lord loomed above him, he began to taunt Morgoth,
"Coward! He who kills from afar! Come and meet your enemy face to face! Have you no honour? No courage?! Wouldst thou now send your legions to destroy me, or shall you show your wretched existence to me, as you did to my grandfather High King Fingolfin? I am no less a warrior than he!" But this was to no avail. Morgoth remained deep in his chambers, and instead sent three Balrogs, led by Gothmog, to subdue Cuzza and bring him to his underground fortress. Cuzza was a keen sighted Elf, and espied the three demons from afar, then once again took aim and released many a stone at the heads of the Balrogs. Of course, the stones had no effect on the Balrogs, who came at Cuzza like a blazing torrent of fire. Cuzza's amazing speed and agility with his sword gave him the edge at first, and he slew one of the Balrogs. But Gothmog was far too strong, and he tied the Elf's hands with the tails of his fiery whip, and led him to the feet of Morgoth.

It was many hours later when Samovuk awoke. He had suffered a deep gash to his forehead from the stone of Cuzza, but the blow had also triggered an attack of amnesia. Samovuk forgot all his days in Gondolin, and forgot the oath he had taken to return thither. An oath forgotten is an oath unknown, and an oath unknown holds no power. So Samovuk was free to roam where he pleased, and crossing the Fens, he followed the waters of mighty Sirion to his source, where stood Barad Eithel, the dwelling of King Fingon. The Noldor brought Samovuk before the king, who instantly recognised him.

"Samovuk? Friend and advisor to my long lost brother? Where have Turgon and you been for so long?" But Samovuk could not answer, and explained all he remembered, "I travelled with Turgon towards what was to be our new home; his secret stronghold, safe from the forces of Morgoth. We had almost reaches our destination, then the next thing I remember is awaking in the Fen of Serech, from where I made my way here"

"So my brother, sister and their people are all alive, well and safe?" replied Fingon.

"I certainly hope so, my King" said Samovuk.
* * *

Cuzza cowered beneath the throne of Morgoth, unable to speak. It was Morgoth who broke the silence, and spoke in his deep, rasping voice, "The grandson of Fingolfin you claim to be. Fingolfin, who I crushed into the dirt with Grond. Gil-Galad you are not, he being the only son of Fingon. Then you must be the child of Turgon or Aredhel. And if you are, you must know the location of their secret city." Cuzza realised he had already said to much, and was silent.
"Speak, ignorant fool!" demanded Morgoth. "Speak now, and you shall go free. Do not, then it must be forced out of you, and then you will die." But not a word did Cuzza utter, and Morgoth threw him in the deepest, darkest dungeon of Angband, and left him to rot.

Cuzza lay in the dungeon, cold, tired and alone. But the strength and stamina of the House of Finwe was within him, and he stubbornly resisted the starvation and the atrocious conditions. There was no light in that dark prison, save the offensive glare that shone from the flames of the Balrog who stood guard, who fed Cuzza, who was the only company the he had for nigh on a century of cruelty and darkness. Morgoth would torture him for hours, the flaming whips of his slaves biting into Cuzza's flesh. And when Cuzza was right on the brink of death, it would stop, and Cuzza would go back to the dungeon for another day of unspeakable terror.

But Cuzza would not break, not reveal to the Dark Lord the fair city of Gondolin, or where it lay. So Morgoth sent him to work as a slave, as he was proving no use otherwise. This proved a terrible move on Morgoth's part, as Cuzza rallied the slaves to fight back, and escape their imprisonment. The uprising was soon crushed, but not without the loss of hundreds of orcs and trolls, and a fair few Elves. Morgoth was displeased with this, and immediately took Cuzza to the rack, where he was almost pulled limb from limb.

He had endured a hundred years in that pit of torture, when Morgoth himself came down the spiral of twelve thousand steps to the deepest darkest pit of Angband, where he found what had become of the once proud warrior. A miserable excuse for an Elf did Cuzza seem, nothing but skin and bones, lacking the strength to even shake a withered fist at his oppressor, who came towards him, as if to strike him his death blow. Cuzza almost wished he had, as the want to live was very nearly drained from him. But to his great surprise Morgoth sat down against the wall, removed his helm, and sighed, though be it a deep rumbling sigh that echoed around the pit. The he spoke:

"Cusarn, I want to show you something." He lent forward and unfastened his massive left boot, made of solid dark iron, then slowly removed it and placed it against the wall. He then turned, and Cuzza expected to see a foot (for though being dark and evil, surely Morgoth has feet, he thought). But there, at the bottom of Morgoth's leg, was what looked to be an iron post, running up inside his armour. Cuzza looked in stunned amazement.

"See what Fingolfin reduced me to?!" said Morgoth. "A peg leg! He hewed my foot, and I had to have it replaced. I would have accepted your challenge at my gates, however I cannot walk properly on this leg, and extended stress gives me great pain." Cuzza was very taken aback, but kept his wits about him, and groaned, "Then how did you walk down twelve thousand steps on your 'incredibly painful' leg? Answer me that, and perhaps I shall share some secrets with you." Morgoth saw the flaw in his argument, but since he was unable to feel pity himself, he could not understand why his poor attempt to make the Elf feel pity for him had failed. All he could think was revenge; revenge to the house of Fingolfin, who had wounded his legs and hewn his foot.

"I have other ways" he told Cuzza, "which I shall not discuss with you." and promptly left Cuzza once again in his misery.

Cuzza was at a loss for this; Morgoth's unexplained behaviour. But over the next few weeks, his food improved markedly, and he was moved to a dungeon near ground level, with a single shaft of light extending from the ceiling, a hundred feet up to the surface, and once a day when Anar passed overhead, he revelled in the few minutes of enlightenment that that tiny spot in the centre of the room received. Morgoth would often come and speak with Cuzza. It was not within his nature to speak gently, or even in a voice that was comfortable to the ears. But he spoke civily and unthreateningly, and told Cuzza some of his deepest and darkest secrets, that will not be mentioned here. He was, of course, attempting to take Cuzza off his guard, in the hope that he would betray Turgon and his people. And it almost worked. Cuzza had been starved of company (his attempts to converse with the Balrog had come to naught) for over a hundred years, and discussed with the Dark Lord most anything that came to mind. After each of the visits, Morgoth would give him better food, and occasionally something to furnish his cell, in order to try and lull Cuzza into a state where he would reveal the location of Gondolin. But Morgoth proposed the question to soon, and caught Cuzza without his guard down. Cuzza flared in rage.

"What do you take me for? I shall never betray my father! Nothing you can offer will tempt me. Better you throw me back in the pit, than waste your valuable time on me here!"

"I can!" replied Morgoth, shaking off his subdued persona, "And I shall! No one has that strong a will. I will find something you cannot resist!" and with that he stormed out of the cell, up the stairs and along the corridor to the throne room, where Sauron was waiting for him, with an extraordinarily beautiful Elf maiden. Sauron said, "I have captured this Elf-princess, Master."

"And what is her name, Sauron?" asked Morgoth

"Prismcat," said Sauron.

Sauron grabbed Prismcat and threw her at the feet of Morgoth. The iron throne of the Dark Lord loomed above her, his menacing presence held her to the spot, unable to run, to move, to scream. But she stared back into his eyes, into the deepest darkest pits of his soul. A child of Illuvatar would have been spellbound by the gaze of Prismcat. It was said that none in all the earth matched her beauty, save Luthien Tinuviel. But ever since he was marred by Ungoliant, and could not take on a fair form himself, Morgoth could no longer understood the concept of beauty. He was unmoved my the gaze of Prismcat, and instead questioned Sauron about her.

"I found her at Nargothrond" said Sauron. "Posing as her husband Lomendil, I lured her to me and brought her here. She is said to be the fairest Noldo ever"

"Really?" said Morgoth, "Well, I think we have finally found the one thing that can tempt that stubborn Cusarn into talking." Sauron and Morgoth discussed the intricacies of their plan. Prismcat did not understand their foul tongue, but as they talked she regained her composure, and looked around at her predicament. She began to sing a sweet song of Valinor. So engrossed were Sauron and Morgoth that they did not notice, but the guards began to dose.
"Foth greatnack!" she yelled. The guards fell into a deep slumber, and she ran for the door. Morgoth arose from his slumber, and Sauron flew to block her escape. Morgoth instinctively swung his sword at her, but he remembered that he needed her alive, and let the sword drop, from where Prismcat picked it up (later the truth was confused, and it was often told that Prismcat had by strength alone ripped the sword from the hands of Morgoth). She did, however, summon all her strength, and threw the sword at Morgoth, wounding his side. Sauron restrained her from behind and led her down the twelve thousand steps to the dungeon.

Cuzza had been lying in the dungeon. It had just passed the hundred and thirty seventh year since he set out from Gondolin, but he was still determined never to betray his people. Just then he heard the fairest voice ever to reach his ears. He knew it was far away, but the song of Prismcat reached down to the pits of Angband, and lifted the heart of what was left of the once great Elf.

"That can only be the voice of Prismcat" he said to himself. "The rumours of the wonder that she is has spread throughout all Elven lands. But what terrible tidings these are, that she has been captured by the forces of evil." Morgoth entered the dungeon once more. Cuzza had lost count of these visits, but this time his strength had been hardened by the song of Prismcat, and he mocked Morgoth.

"Here we go again. All these years you have tried and failed. Why do you not give up and kill me? Does Gondolin mean that much to you? Trust me, it means more to me than it does to you. What cruel trick are you going to attempt to play me with this time?" Morgoth laughed in his face.

"You think your will is invincible. But I have found the solution. I have found something that shall tear you from your morals, from your deepest beliefs"

"Ha! There is nothing in all of Arda that I desire that much."

"You have not seen all that the world encompasses. How can you know? Sauron, bring her in!" Sauron rounded the corner from the stairs, leading Prismcat behind him. Though she was bedraggled and in a terrible state, Cuzza stood in awe of her overwhelming beauty. Sauron chained her to the opposite wall, and left with Morgoth. All was dark again, save the glow of the hovering Balrog. Cuzza called her name,

"Prismcat! Prismcat! I heard your song from far above. I know it to be you"

"What is your name?" she replied "And what are you doing here?"

"Cuzza," he said. "And I have been here one hundred and thirty seven years. I posess knowledge that Morgoth wants. I have resisted his torments all this time. I will never tell him"

"Tell him what?" she asked

"The location of Turgon's hidden city, where I once lived. Oh for the peace and paradise of Gondolin, fair city of mine, where my people dwell in happiness. But it's beauty cannot compare with you, fair Prismcat. It was rumoured that you were fair beyond the wildest dreams of Elf or Man, but those rumours do you no justice, now that I see you with my eyes."

"Ohhh you're making me blush" said Prismcat "But how can you see at all down here?"

"My eyes have grown accustomed to the dark" he told her, "You cannot see me, but to me the light of your eyes is like the light of day"

And so they conversed; Cuzza told Prismcat of all he had been through in his comparatively short life. Prismcat was of course much older, having grown up in the light of the two trees. She told him about the return of the Noldor to middle earth, and the crossing of the Helcaraxe. But Cuzza had been alone for a hundred and thirty seven years, and his feelings for Prismcat grew.

Morgoth returned after a few weeks. Both Cuzza and Prismcat had been fed well (considering they were in a dungeon) and were once again shifted to the chamber near the surface with the single shaft of light. Morgoth took Cuzza aside, put on his most respectful guise, and told him,

"Cusarn, my dear boy. You want her don't you?" Cuzza saw no reason to deny this, and replied,

"Of course I do. No one could resist wanting her, especially after being held captive down here for so long."

"Well, you can have her" Morgoth said. Cuzza's eyes lit up. "If, and only if, you tell me where your father dwells." Cuzza said nothing. "No hurry Cusarn. You have an eternity of imprisonment to decide"

"Oh no I won't" said Cuzza. "We will be rescued! If Fearod ever finds out you are keeping me here, he will raise the greatest Elven army the world has ever seen, and grind you into the dirt." Morgoth laughed at him and threw him back in the cell with Prismcat.
* * *

Lomendil, son of Thingol, sat alone in Menegroth. It had been two years since Prismcat, his wife, had been captured by Sauron and taken away. He would have led an assault on Angband to rescue her himself, had his marriage been one of love. But, although they had become very good friends, there was never anything between them. The marriage was one of convenience, contrived in an attempt to form a fighting alliance between his people the Sindar of Doriath, and the Noldor. Though he had always feigned that he was utterly devastated by the loss of Prismcat, Lomendil loved another.

This alliance had so far come to naught. Prismcat had been beloved of the Noldor, but there was still conflict between the houses to the point that none could muster enough support to attempt a rescue. Lomendil had been criticised for his inaction, and at last resolved to ask the Noldor for aid to rescue Prismcat. It was said that Beren and Luthien supported him in this, pledging to lead the Sindar to war, even against the will of Thingol.

So Lomendil sent a messenger to Nargothrond. Felagund was abroad, and had appointed Drakedon to mind the realm of Nargothrond. Drakedon received the message, but he was not king, and would not pledge support. But when the messenger told him that Luthien was going to fight with the host of Doriath, he remembered his encounter with her long ago, and his will was immediately swayed. He forged the seal of Finrod Felagund, and sent a message promising full support of Nargothrond.

Drakedon was not as stupid as he sometimes seemed, and knew that without the rest of the Noldor, they would not stand a chance against Angband. He rode to Eithel Sirion, under pretence that he was a messenger of greatest importance from Felagund, and came to the hall of Fingon. As he strode in, a voice called o him "Drakedon! Drakedon!" and rushing towards him was Samovuk, his long lost friend of old. Drakedon embraced him.

"Samovuk! Where have you been all these years? Did you not go with Turgon after all? How did you come here?!"

"I do not recall" said Samovuk. "I have forgotten everything that happened since we parted, until I awoke at Serech nigh on a hundred and forty years ago"

"And you did not come to see me in all those years?"

"I have been busy here. Many times I have ridden far and wide with Fearod, waylaying servants of the enemy. We were bade not to travel to Nargothrond save at greatest need, lest we betray the intricacies of the defences of the guarded plain to the roving orcs. With Fearod at my side, the problem of fleeing to safety has never arisen."

"Where is Fearod? I have need to speak with him concerning a great assault that Lomendil has planned"

"Fearod is dwelling with the sons of Feanor, his closest kin, and is idle for the moment. I was about to travel there myself, and can convey this message if you wish"

"I would be most grateful for that. It is with the greatest haste that we must raise the hosts of the Noldor."
Drakedon explained the plans of the alliance to Fingon, but Fingon would not agree to help without the support of Fearod. So Samovuk set forth for Himring, where Maedhros dwelt, and came to Fearod asking for his backing. Fearod was, however, reluctant.

"As much as I wish to rescue Prismcat," said Fearod, "this is not the time for rash tactics. We may very well succeed with the rescue, but I cannot see us taking Angband. Though it pains me greatly to say it, Prismcat is not worth the enormous losses that would surely come to our forces should we attempt this. There is only one Elf whom I would risk everything to save, the one Elf who has saved my own life."

"And who would that be?" asked Samovuk

"It was long ago. In single combat with Sauron I was, and had almost met my match. My back was unguarded, and I would have been slain by orcs, had it not been for Cusarn"

"Cusarn?" said Samovuk to himself. Suddenly he knew. The name had jogged his memory, and he recalled Cusarn, who he knew better as Cuzza, and his lunatic mission to Angband. Thus he told Fearod, and Fearod knew it to be the very same Elf. No other could throw with that accuracy. When they realised that Cuzza was most likely to be imprisoned, because of the great secrets that he kept, Fearod's wrath was awakened.

Fearod's wrath was awakened, and he spoke with the same passion and power to the hosts of the sons of Feanor, as Feanor his brother had spoken to the Noldor in Tirion, when he swore his terrible oath. Thus their forces were aroused, and when Alkarang, Fearod's flaming sword from Valinor was raised, the army of Noldor marched westwards to join their allies.

From Doriath came Lomendil, Beren and Luthien leading a great force of Sindarin warriors. The Elves of Nargothrond issued forth, with Drakedon at their head. They joined Fearod's army at the Brithiach, and together marched up Sirion's Vale. And as they reached the dusty wastes of Anfauglith, Samovuk rode to meet them from Eithel Sirion, with the hosts of Fingon behind him.

So was assembled the largest Elven host ever to challenge Angband. Some said it totalled a million strong, but no proper count was ever taken in the rush to assemble the forces. The friends of Cuzza and Prismcat met privately while the armies prepared for the assault. Lomendil, Beren, Luthien, Samovuk, Eowyn (Samovuk's wife, most renowned shildmaiden of the Noldor), Drakedon and Fearod gathered together under the stars, ready to attack the next day.

"You all know why we are here" said Fearod. "Our first aim is to rescue Prismcat and Cusarn. When they are safe we will storm the fortress of Morgoth. Prismcat you all know, but Cusarn, or Cuzza as he is better known, will be a mystery to most of you." So Fearod told them about his brief interlude with Cuzza, and Samovuk explained all that he remembered, although Cuzza's lineage still escaped his memory.

It was then that Drakedon once again laid eyes on Luthien. Luthien, who he had secretly been in love with for all those years. While the rest of them talked battle and strategy, Drakedon's mind wandered to places that this tale will not dare go. By the morning he was in a total dream state, having forgotten entirely what they were up against; only Luthien was on his mind. This was to prove disastrous.

The next morning trumpets sounded, and echoed across Anfauglith, and the banners of the Great Elven Alliance were raised in challenge to Morgoth. However, relying on strength in numbers they had posted a minimal watch during the night, and a great orc host had surrounded their encampment. Suddenly the orcs charged, and so began the Dagormel, or Battle of Love, for it was the Noldor's love of Prismcat that drove them to her rescue.
Little is told of that battle, and of what is little will be told here. For while the Kings and Princes of the elves stayed back to command most of the armies, Beren, Lomendil, Samovuk and Fearod led the assault on the gates of Angband. While most of the host remained on the battle field, Alkarang flamed in all its glory as the small party destroyed the Dragons, Balrogs and Wolves that Morgoth had entrusted to guard the gate. This utter destruction allowed them to pass inside unnoticed while the battle raged outside. They headed for the dungeons, totally obliterating any orc or beast that stood in their path.

Meanwhile, Drakedon was still on the battlefield. Caught up in the battle, he had temporarily forgotten Luthien. Luthien had stayed back behind the fighting because she was still jealous of Prismcat's beauty. She called aloud to Beren to return to her safely. Drakedon heard this and was once again enchanted. He turned to the sound of Luthien's voice but a great orc army had come between them and he was cut off from her, but he was undeterred. His lust was overpowering, and he ran straight at the orcs, cutting a great swathe six feet wide, killing every orc he touched and the rest fled from his path.

"Luthien! Luthien my love! Where are you?" he called. He came across her and her small party beneath a small patch of woods.

"Who on earth are you?" she asked.

"I am Drakedon. I love you. I have always loved you. I will always love you." and with that he swept her off her feet and they disappeared into the woods and were not seen again for a long time. A messenger came to the battlefield and told King Thingol (who was commanding his army) what had happened.

"An evil wild demented Elf has taken Luthien! We fear that she is lost!" he told him. Thingol was instantly devastated by these tidings, and all his concern turned to Luthien.

"Curse the Noldor for bringing me into this ill-fated war!" he said. He ordered his army to retreat, and the Elves of Doriath fled the battlefield. When the forces of Nargothrond heard that Drakedon was missing, and that they had lost Thingol's support, they lost heart and also retreated.

It was said that to begin with the Eldar had the numbers to take Angband, and were it not for Drakedon's misadventure, they would have done so. Although they now had no hope of victory, the sons of Feanor and the hosts of Fingon held fast, waiting for the rescue party to return from the bowels of Angband.
* * *

Cuzza had resisted his temptations for two entire years. Morgoth was furious.

"How does he have the strength of will?! I am sick to death of this! I will find out from someone else." He sent for Sauron. "Have Cusarn and Prismcat killed, and their body parts strewn over the Thangorodrim." Sauron headed down to the dungeons where the two Elves were chained up. "Leave us!" he yelled to the guarding Balrog, who obediently made his exit.

"I have waited a long for this Cusarn you snivelling rat! You have wasted mine and my master's time for so many years; I shall delight in your death. And you, Prismcat, I shall leave to the Balrogs. But first you shall watch Cusarn die." Sauron walked across and glared at Cuzza.

"You are a pathetic excuse for the son of a king" he said. Cuzza spat in his face, and replied, "And when the Eldar triumph may the Valar imprison you in the everlasting darkness for all eternity"

"Ha! The Eldar shall never destroy me" Cuzza did not know it but this was absolutely true. Sauron unlocked the chains from about Cuzza's wrists and ankles. Cuzza fell in a heap on the floor.

"Get up, you!" yelled Sauron. Cuzza dragged himself to his feet, and stood there, waiting for Sauron to finish him. Finally it was the end of his torment. Sauron drew a long black knife with which to slice the Elf's throat. He was about to strike when suddenly a great wolf appeared at the door.

"Lord Sauron!" spoke the wolf. "Angband is besieged by an enormous army of Elves! Morgoth commands your presence at once."

"I shall finish with you later," he told Cuzza, "and you shall pay for the defeat of your armies." and with that he leapt upon the wolf's back, and it bore him away up the stairs, the guard Balrog following. Prismcat moaned,

"Cuzza! Release me from my bondage!" Cuzza hauled himself across the cold hard dungeon floor to the wall where Prismcat was shackled.

"I have not the strength to break these bonds, and have no powers with which to dissolve them!" he told her. Prismcat noticed that during his haste to leave, Sauron had dropped the knife on the bottom stair.

"The knife! Use the knife! She told Cuzza, who went and got the knife, and examined it closely. Forged from some dark iron it was, and as he picked it up he felt the many dark enchantments that were laid upon its blade.

"I cannot risk using it. If it slips and cuts you, you will be tormented by the pain of the wound for the rest of your days!" he told Prismcat.

"I will accept that risk; for it is worth the pain just to escape from the hell hole, even If it kills me." Then Cuzza jammed the tip of the evil blade into the locks and, as if overridden by a darker power, they shattered and fell to the floor in a fine rain of iron dust.

"Thank you! Thank you Cuzza" said Prismcat; but she looked up the winding stair and her heart fell into despair.
"I have not the strength to climb the twelve thousand steps to the surface, and neither do you my friend" and with that she collapsed in a heap on the ground.

"But we must try! We must!" said Cuzza, and he made his way towards the door, but tripped in the dark and fell on Prismcat who lay before him. Neither had the strength to get up, so they lay there together, awaiting the end.
Suddenly they heard a banging on the door, and a great commotion outside. Then a bright flaming light flashed under the door. Three blows fell upon it, and it's hinges burst asunder. There stood the great warrior Fearod, with Alkarang glowing amidst the perpetual dungeon darkness. Past Fearod strode Lomendil, with Beren and Samovuk close behind. Lomendil and Beren rushed over to Prismcat and Cuzza.

"Hey you! Get off her!" Lomendil yelled at Cuzza, and, thinking he was an enemy, reached down with his knife to slit Cuzza's throat. But Cuzza looked up into the eyes of Fearod and Samovuk, and they knew him, and he knew them.

"Stop!" yelled Samovuk, and Fearod ran to restrain Lomendil, who dropped the knife and shrank away.

"I am sorry," he said. "I fear my wrath is overpowering me; for though my heart is not truly in this marriage, I do love Primcat dearly, as do you all, and would not suffer any harm to come to her." He knelt beside her and embraced her.

"Do not doubt yourself, Lomendil," said Fearod, "for in your position I may very well have done the same. But unlike you, I know this Elf." and he extended his hand to Cuzza, and lifted him to his feet "For this is Cusarn, who rescued me from the clutches of Sauron many years ago. I owe him my life."

"And I know him also," said Samovuk, who stepped forward to embrace his long lost friend. "The greatest of my pupils he was, and had he not run off on this foolish, idealistic crusade, he would have risen to become one of the greatest captains of Gondolin. For now that we meet again Cusarn, my memory has returned. How I long to go back to the Hidden City, where Turgon's people live in peace and happiness!"

"Then" said Cuzza "you remember the oath?"

"Yes, I remember the oath" said Samovuk "And together we shall return to Gondolin, triumphant from the battle that rages above us. For the alliance that was forged for the purpose of your rescue shall also bring about the fall of Angband, and the end of the reign of Morgoth." Then Beren spoke:

"Do not speak so surely. For I may be but a man, but I alone of us who know about the situation have come face to face with Morgoth. I do not believe his time is ended."

"Then what are we waiting for?" yelled Fearod. "Let us aid the battle!" Alkarang flared into life and Fearod sprang away up the stairs, with Beren in hot pursuit, Samovuk aiding the weakened Cuzza, and Lomendil bearing Prismcat in his arms.

Fearod was angry. Though overjoyed that the rescue was so far successful, he could not help but have the battle raging above plague his thought. Up the stairs he ran, faster, faster. The steps to the deepest dungeon of Morgoth numbered in the tens of thousands it was said, and even the fastest wolf of Angband would take some time to reach the top. But Fearod ran faster than any beast, and just before he reached the top he came once more upon his arch-nemesis, Sauron, still riding on the wolf's back. Fearod was bewildered for a moment, and wondered how they had not seen Sauron on the way down.

"What are you doing down here, o foul slime of the underworld?" asked Fearod, "and how did I miss you during my descent?"

"I have powers of enchantment beyond your comprehension," said Sauron "and right now I have more pressing matters to deal with than a renegade Elf with a flashy sword." Sauron then laid a spell on the wolf, which grew enormous in size, and Sauron fled towards the surface. Fearod called after him, "I will catch you! One day you will feel the bite of the sword of Fearod!" but that was all he could get out, before the wolf was on top of him. Its enormous claws swiped at his head, but Fearod avoided the blows and like lightning hewed the wolf's head from its body. He knew he had lost Sauron once more.

Beren came up the stairs to find Fearod standing next to the hulking carcass.

"I let him get away again!" yelled Fearod

"Who?" asked Beren

"Why, Sauron of course! Let us chase down and end his worthless existence!" replied Fearod impatiently.

"What about the others?" said Beren

"Samovuk and Lomendil can handle themselves," said Fearod, "Besides, there is no one down here. They're all fighting the battle."

"Calm yourself, Fearod. We came here to save Cusarn and Prismcat. The battle is all very well, but without them, we will have failed." Fearod took a moment to settle his nerves.

"I am sorry for my rashness. My lust for revenge is dominating my thoughts. You are right my friend; we must help the others."

Beren and Fearod returned down the stair, and finding no resistance except the occasional wandering orc, came across the others.

"We must hurry!" said Lomendil, "Let us bear Cusarn and Prismcat away from here." so the four rescuers carried the two wounded up, up, up to freedom. Cuzza watched the winding walls pass by, and realised that finally that period of torment was slipping away. He was injured though, and fell into unconsciousness. When he awoke, they were still ascending. He saw daylight, and Prismcat's peaceful face asleep in the arms of Fearod and Lomendil. He looked up at Samovuk who was carrying him.

"We are nearly there, my prince" said Samovuk. "Get as much rest as you can, as we still may have to fight our way out of here." They rounded the corner and suddenly the passage opened up into a huge hall, two hundred feet long with enormous iron gates at either end. Beren raced out into the deserted hall and looked around.
"No one is here. Flee while your legs can still carry you." Fearod gave Prismcat and Cuzza some Lembas, which gave them just enough strength to walk unaided. They were making their way towards the gate, when suddenly the passage behind them caved in. Scores of orcs poured through the gates, followed by Balrogs. The largest orc then spoke. He was nearly seven feet tall, green skinned and heavily armed.

"Put down your weapons and surrender. Even you, Fearod, cannot kill us all. You will die. Don't try anything."

Fearod whispered to Cuzza: "It's me they want. I'll attack, and all of you run for the gate" Before Cuzza had the chance to reply, he heard the sound of wrenching metal coming from the gates, which burst asunder. There stood Maedhros and a small but obviously powerful party of Elves. Their sudden appearance sent the orcs into a battle frenzy, and the Balrogs could not constrain them. Fearod flew at the biggest orc, who blocked his first blow, but his arm was injured and Fearod ducked below his reach and slew him through the belly.

The few orcs with any sense left went after Lomendil and the others. In the confusion he, Prismcat and Cuzza were captured and led to the throne room. Fearod and Beren ran towards the broken gates, slaying the wayward orcs. But Samovuk was cornered by four Balrogs and spent all his energy blocking their flying whips, and when the evil demons saw he was weakened they closed in and finished him, and he fell, unburied but by no means unremembered. Fearod and Beren reached Maedhros and they passed out of Angband onto the battlefield. The Eldar were now outnumbered and tired, having fought many hours without rest. But they fought on, with but little hope that the three captured would manage to escape.

Cuzza, Prismcat and Lomendil were led to the throne room, where Morgoth sat as always on his iron throne, but with only two Silmarils gleaming in his iron crown. He shouted at them, "Call off your attack, or you shall die!" Lomendil replied, "If I do what will stop you from killing us anyway?"

"I give you my word" said Morgoth.

"I will not" answered Lomendil. He saw the rage build in Morgoth's eyes. But Morgoth whispered something to the guards, and left the throne room.

The guards took them to a dank, dark room. The guards brought torches, but there was only enough light to see a figure of what lied in there. The guards strapped Lomendil to a wooden rack. Then they wound the crank and stretched Lomendil’s arms and legs. He cried out in anguish, but the others said nothing. PrismCat’s eyes began to water; tears began flowing down her face. Lomendil stopped yelling for he could see her tears. The pain intensified. Cuzza could not bear to see Prismcat suffer that pain, and he new Lomendil would not give in, and would not want to see Prismcat suffer either. He finally burst out, "I’ll call it off." But the guards did not know that Cuzza had no real control over the armies. They unstrapped Lomendil and led them to outside the gates.

"Tell them to surrender" said the guard. Cuzza called in Quenya: "I am Cusarn, Turgon's son of Gondolin. Eldar come to my aid!" the guards could not speak Quenya but Morgoth (who was just inside the gates) could, and he yelled to the guards "Stop him! He's calling for help!" but it was to late. A party of Elven archers had already answered Cuzza's cry and let loose a flurry of arrows, and most of the guards were slain. Fearod rode up on his great horse and finished off the rest off them and freed Cuzza and the others, and they all ran from the persuing forces. Cuzza glanced over his shoulder and caught a glimpse through the gate of Morgoth's eyes, and saw the immense frustration and despair. Cuzza briefly felt a sense of satisfaction, but his mind was soon lost in the immense scope of the devastaion of the battlefield of the Dagormel.

They reached safety at last. None were severely injured save Cuzza, who had been hit by a stray arrow. "It is very deep" Lomendil told him.

"Can you heal it?" asked Prismcat

"I don't think so," said Lomendil "Sorry Cusarn, but I must be honest. There is little hope" Fearod and Beren came over. Cuzza moaned, "Well, I guess this is the end. Fearod, will you do me a favour?"

"Of course Cuzza, anything" said Fearod

"Give my mother Tapestry a proper buriel, and find Feandil and Nenar in Gondolin and let them know what has happened to me. Oh, and make sure you do away with that damn Sauron!" with that, Cuzza uttered his last breath, and while his body lay in the arms of Prismcat and Lomendil, his spirit passed away to the halls of Mandos.

Epilogue

The Elves were utterly defeated at the Dagormel. As soon as PrismCat was free all the Noldor fled from the rampaging dragons. The party of friends unfortunately came across a rogue band of orcs and PrismCat was slain, remarkably suffering the same fate as Cuzza, an arrow in the shoulder. With great sorrow they buried her under a mound, that flowered eternally until the end of Ea.

Fearod led them to Gondolin, but only he was allowed to enter, being the highest of the Noldor. He went straight to see King Turgon, whom he told what had happened. Turgon wept for his son, but was proud.
Fearod went through the city and found the house of Feandil, and relayed to him the fate of his friend, and of his bravery and courage. Feandil gave Fearod a small wooden urn which contained the ashes of Cuzza's mother Tapestry.
Fearod and Turgon had their ashes buried in a small but beautiful private garden that was planted in the city as a memorial to Tapestry and Cuzza. And when Gondolin was finally overrun by Morgoth, it was said that due to the defiant spirits of Tapestry and her son, none of the foul creatures would go into that garden, and it was left unscathed until that part of the world was detroyed.

Whilst Cuzza had been away, Feandil and Nenar had a son, and they named him Cusarn, after their long lost friend. Young Cusarn was eager to leave Gondolin, but the king would not allow it, until Fearod noticed the strength within him and decided to take him as an apprentice. Feandil and Nenar reluctantly consented, and since he was under the instruction of the great Fearod, Turgon allowed Cusarn to leave Gondolin.

Cusarn and Fearod remained in Middle Earth at the end of the First Age and went on to fight together in many a war or battle as Fearod ever pursued his arch nemesis Sauron. Cusarn lived to his name, and he used his magical stone-headed arrows to tear through many a rank of orcs. He eventually followed the rest of the Eldar across the sea and outside the circles of the world to live until the end of days.