Of the tale of Northad and Earnur

**A little tale of mine about the battle of Unnumbered Tears. Disclaimer, the Silmarillion and its events are all Tolkien's as are the Elves and Men of that tale, I've just added a few minor OCs in the majesty of his tale. I have written this partly because I can't find anything extra about the Fifth Battle at all save what is in the Silmarillion in contrast to many of the other chapters. Thanks to my Beata!**

Grassy hills overlooked a fertile plain garnished with swift silvery streams. In the tall leafy, green trees, where there was just a hint of gold, birds sang and flew jauntily around. Ten figures emerged from a path in the woods. 'Northad, you have got us lost again. What happened to that famous Elven sense of direction?' asked one, with a sigh.

Northad, a young, slim Elf wearing green, blue and yellow looked in puzzlement at a map. 'No, no, I'm not lost, not at all, I know those mountains over there!' He pointed to tall mountains in the distance. 'Oh, all right, maybe that was one of my little jokes, perhaps we are lost! Still, we all agreed that we wanted to see a bit of the beautiful country, so now is our chance.'

The first lad sighed, 'Well, we are at least doing that!'

One girl in the group sat down suggesting, 'We could have some lunch perhaps?'

'Very well,' said Northad. Northad and the maiden were the only Elves in the party. The rest were mortal men. A brisk breeze blew around them as they all sat down to eat. 'Ah, what a nice refreshing drink,' sighed Northad, and he stretched his Elven legs out to the pale but wet green grass beneath his toes.

'Is that just water?' asked a young man called Earnur.

Northad coughed. 'Well, it does taste a little like Noldor beer.'

'Beer? Then I suggest you pass it around,' said Earnur.

Northad did this with a slight reluctance. The maiden suggested, 'But we ought to at least stick a little to the route which we agreed. If we concentrate, its surprising how many interesting birds we could see which dwell in these northern parts. I think I saw a mountain warbler just now!'

Northad laughed. He jumped up at a rock next to a stream. Nimbly, he leaped from rock to boulder across the water laughing and impressing the mortal Earnur. 'Why watch a bird fly when you can watch me dance!' he cried, showing off by dancing and nimbly leaping from boulder to boulder. But as he did so, Northad could see a cloud of dark smoke to the North.

The smile on Northad's face turned into a grimace when he turned his face northwards. Above the mountains he could see an unnatural gloom. Northad had only heard them vaguely up to now, but those tales that he had heard of the realm of Angband chilled his blood. He made a mental note not to travel that way if he could avoid it.

Northad jumped down from a craggy little boulder onto the muddy, slippery, cold, green grass. He ran back to the others. He had only just noticed the shadow to the North. 'We'd better be home by nightfall

The were all young. And Rhogusil was at that moment away up a tree looking at some sparrows. Rhogusil was a Green Elf. She was far more concerned about her trees, beasts and birds than the politics of Beleriand. She was a daugher of Yavanna in many ways, more so than was good in a manner. 'Do not worry,' said Earnur in a reassuring tone. 'We are many miles from the lair of the Dark Lord.'

'Oh, what can possibly happen?' Terglis said.

Northad remained unconvinced. 'Dusk is coming. Please, Earnur, let us go home now.'

'Really, Northad,' said Earnur, 'there is nothing to fear. Nothing at all. I think'

A threatening growl sounded from among the trees. The youngsters looked up as Orcs leapt out. Short, green, bow-legged well armed cruel servants of Morgoth. The Elves scrambled to seize what weapons they could. Earnur ducked and rolled as an Orc swung a scimitar at him. He saw a stick, picked it up and whacked the Orc on its bare shins. Northad pulled a sapling backwards, then released it. The sapling swished into the face of an attacking Orc, which dropped its sword. Northad dived, picked it up and slashed at the Orcs with it.

A loud battle cry followed by the thunder of horses' hooves filled the air. Northad recognized the approaching horsemen as allies. Hurin, a leader of men with his brother, Huor. The men charged at the Orcs which fled in terror or were slain at their approach. Hurin was a man with pale, flaxen hairand a bushy beard. He put a large hand upon Northad's shoulder. 'This is where you are! You didn't report back to us before nightfall. It can get dangerous around here at night. Didn't anyone tell you?'

'We lost track of time. But look to Terglis. He's hurt and it seems bad. Please help him!'

Terglis had collapsed to the ground clutching his chest in pain. Hurin looked at the wound, then with a worried frown, said 'Huor has the greater skill in healing Brother, come and take a look at this.'

Huor took a look at Terglis,chest but shook his head. 'This is bad. This arrow is tipped withslow-working poison. It's a cruel blow. He will die painfully within a day or so unless he gets more help. ' Huor looked around at the green hills to the West. 'We are not far from Fingon's forces. He is he High-King of the Elves, the mightiest in healing. He can help.'

Northad's hope dwindled. 'I will take Terglis on my horse,' offered Huor. 'We will meet you with Fingon's forces.' The Man picked up the stricken Elf and sat him on the horse, climbed up behind him, and rode away without a word, to find the Elven host which was not far away on the western slopes of the mountains of Ered Wethrim.

The moon was high in the sky when they finally arrived, but Fingon's servants reassured the Elves that their companion was out of danger and beginning to recover. Northad raced into the room where Terglis lay in bed, and was delighted to see him looking much better. Fingon frowned at Hurin, 'What were these young scamps doing around here? War will ride in these lands soon!'

Hurin laughed. 'It seems they thought they were safe in this part of the country. They are no warriors, though. We should send them home.'

Fingon gave a curt Elven nod.

'I am willing to fight, my lord,' said Terglis. He propped himself up on one elbow. 'I can wield a bow well enough, you cannot leave me without a battle in this greatest fight of our age. When the need arises, you will find that a mere mortal like myself has the heart of maybe, Feanor,' he knealt down.

'As can I,' declared Northad.

'Very well,' said Fingon, 'you may join my army.'

The following day, Northad took the opportunity to look around. He could see many fair and mighty Elven folk, clad in fine colours and arrayed in well-organised companies. They were confident and full of joy. One of his companions that accompanied him in his initial journey North, Duirion, put an arm around his shoulder. 'Surely we will have the day in the battle to come,' he declared.

'He did beat us last time,' countered Terglis.

'Yes, but Morgoth caught us unprepared. We and our Elven allies were possibly softened by years of peace. But now it is our turn. Did you know that one mere mortal man entered his Tower, in recent years, personally wrestled with the Lord of Despair and won back a Silmaril?' Duirion's knowledge of the journey of Beren and Luthien was a little mixed.

Northad marched over the river, across the plains of the fen of Serech, over the blue River of Rivil, and he looked around at the Elven warriors as he marched. The army of Gondolin to the right, the mighty men of the North to the left, and nearby, an army of stout Dwarves strengthened the force, clad in mighty Dwarven chan-mail, bearded, singing slowly and waving their axes in the air in anticipation of battle. Huor had also told Northad that even more Elves and Men were on the way, The powerful Sons of Feanor had yet to arrive.

Then someone pointed out to Northad the trees of Grimbolth on the far right. This was an eerie, dark-looking wood and Northad could see with his Elven sight the skeletons of Men that had been hung on trees. Terglis told him that these were a company of Men that in years past had been ambushed by the Wolves of Sauron and eaten alive.

Above the stony hills, Northad saw a cloud of black dust. Crows were flying ahead there and Northad caught his first sight of the forces of the enemy. Little, but many figures of Orcs in the distance and other creatures more fell. Smoke bellowed in the distance, the air darkened and there was a rumble both of thunder a flash of lightening and Northad was certain of the ground shaking beneath his feet. Angband had answered their challenge. Whatever was going to happen Northad suddenly realized that this was going to be a mighty clash between two strong armies. This was not going to be pleasant. He couldn't help but think that many of his allies, even the Lords amongst them were possibly a bit over-confident.