Clamavi De Profundis - The Loss of Negankerdak

The Loss of Negankerdak

(Turarel)
Oh, who can say, for who was there,
When all things came into the air?
(Orla)
And who can know? Who was around
When all was made, and their forms were found?
(Tara)
When first bright stars sent forth their light,
(Aerial)
When first ice frost covered the night,
(Nergalin)
When first the west wind unfurled the seas,
(Dinach)
When first gleaming fruit adorned the trees,
(Turarel)
When first nine moons tall mountains crowned,
(Treal)
And all was silent underground,
(Rilfar)
Then Irna the earth put forth her gift,
A fountain deep in a darksome rift.

(Dwarves)
Rivulets ran, far beneath the seas,
Flowing like vines, far beneath the trees.
Formed as it passed, in deep earth (was) cast,
Far below ground, in deep chambers vast.
How did it catch the starry-bright sky,
Miles beneath shining realms on high?
Light in its depths, like fire or sun,
Through its own heart, living courses run.
Iron is soft, and gold is dim,
Smooth marble coarse, shining silver thin.
Metal must fail, stone beauty lack,
Beside the gift, the diamond black.
It cannot be shaped, cannot be tamed,
Howe'er it is found, so it is framed,
Too hard to break, too true to melt,
The Humbler thwarts arts of smith and smelt.

(Turarel and Orla)
Oh, Then was found that single treasure,
A Sword unique in shape and measure,
(Rilfar)
By Irna formed from the diamond black,
The Earth-wrought, Unforged, Negankerdak
(Nergalin and Treal)
Lightcatcher, its appearance stark,
(Aerial and Dinach)
Unbedecked yet flawless, dark,
(Tara)
A glow in its depths from blade to hilt,
(Turarel & Rilfar)
Weapon of kings, for greatness built.

(Dwarves)
The pride of dwarves, it held a place
That set us apart, a favored race,
Who else received a gift of such worth?
Who else such blessings from the earth?

(Dwarves)
How, then, a gift that becomes a curse?
Blessing from heaven, to hell and worse?
Came from Shalda, a demon replete
With envy, hatred, and vile deceit.
He stole from us in our delight
Negankerdak! That thief in the night!
Wielding no arts but evil and ire,
He left our people in darkness dire.
Oh! Negankerdak, when none could break you,
What cruel malice could come and take you?
Where are you now, in enemy hands,
A demon thrall, in what shadow lands?
Black Diamond sword, our symbol of light,
Without you, see! our days become night!
Gift from Irna, of metal most pure,
Icon of our race, how shall we endure?