[Estelyn Telcontar]

Slightly subdued after the departure of the wizard, the company left the subway car at the next station. They had arrived at Shepherd’s Bush.

“This is not the same station we intended to arrive at, though it bears the same name,” Merisuwyniel explained. “We can walk to our destination from here. To reach the exit, we must needs take the Escalator of Ka-Boom! Stay together so that no one is lost.”

They took several turns and found themselves in a tunnel that ended abruptly ahead of them. There was no passageway to the right or left, so they turned to go back. Suddenly they were approached by ragged, menacing-looking creatures, all stretching their hands out and saying, “Do you have a buck for me?”

“We have only horses, no deer,” Pimpiowyn said, puzzled over the unusual request.

“Yes, dear?” Vogonwë responded, thinking that he was meant.

The heroes brandished their swords, and Halfullion roared, “That’s my two pieces of mithril!”

The creatures fled in fear, and Kuruharan followed, picking up the coins that they dropped.

Merisuwyniel shouted, “We must have mistaken right for left – follow me!”

They raced through the passageway, and there it was – the mighty Escalator of Ka-Boom! Out of breath, they stepped onto the mechanical transportation device that took them upwards. At the top, far away, they saw a faint flickering light that came ever nearer. Something huge and fiery was approaching them, coming downwards on the opposite side of the escalator.

“Ai!” wailed Vogonwë. “Ai! A Balfrog is come!” Pimpi didn’t know what he was talking about, but grasped his hand instinctively.

Kuruharan’s Pain! the Dwarf thought.

“Jolly good opportunity for a battle!” Etceteron exclaimed, but Wylkynsion, who was more learned in lore than his master, cowered silently in his sheath.

Halfullion blanched. Too well did he know this foe and recognize its danger.

Orogarn Two held up his crystal, but it had gone dark and dull.

Merisuwyniel could feel the Bow trembling at her back and shuddered to think of the potentially destructive effect of fire upon it.

Only Chrysophylax was undaunted. After all, he knew a bit about fighting fire with fire. He pushed the others aside and strode up the moving stairway to reach the oncoming threat faster.

From below, the company heard drums, drums in the deep. Merisuwyniel saw graffiti scrawled on the wall: They are coming!

“Dratted buskers!” muttered Halfullion.

Then their doom was upon them. Chrysophylax breathed a mighty flame at the Balfrog, but the foe replied by lashing at him with his long, fiery tongue. The dragon was pulled onto the downward escalator and about to disappear from their sight when Kuruharan shouted, “Fly, you fool!”

And fly he did! For the dragon indeed had wings, and he could use them as well. The Balfrog fell into the deep, whether alive or dead, this story does not tell.

There was the exit ahead of them. Chrysophylax destroyed the turnstile with a playful swish of his tail, and the company jumped onto their noble steeds and raced out of the subway. They had escaped!

Thankful for the light and the fresh air, they galloped toward the Park of Topfloorien. Merisuwyniel’s golden tresses flowed behind her in the wind, her deep purple eyes glowed with excitement, and she shouted a triumphant cry of joy.

Little did any of them realize that they were observed…