2454

The Numenorean riverboat sailed slowly down the down the White River or the Iron River as the people of the mountains more and more often called it. The River was used by the Numenoreans to carry gems and precious metal to the coast, after trading with the dwarves. The people of the White Mountains now of only one precious metal. One, which could be used to create weapons with. Thus, they named it after that.

The riverboats could only carry a dozen men. So often armed warriors riding on the riverbank escorted the boats to prevent a surprise attack. The Numenoreans would often sail close to the northern bank, as they felt more secure here.

This boat was however unescorted. It had left without waiting for the escort. The men onboard were alerted and their eyes sharp as they watched both banks while the drifted towards the sea. As they approached Tatyalonde, the river got wider and they became more relaxed, longing for their home.

However, an enemy watched them. As the boat rounded a bend on the river, arrows fired from the high grass on the north bank hit the boat. One of them hit captain at the rudder; other hit several of the seamen on board. One of them fell into the water.

From behind the bend, many small boats with only one or two people on board sailed towards the Numenoreans.

The Numenoreans all came to the deck retuning the fire. However, they were surprised by the attack and failed to understand the magnitude of the attack. Some rushed to the dying captain other to the one of the wounded sailors that had fallen into the water.

Some of the attackers managed to climb on board and a fight broke out on the deck. The Numenoreans were the better warriors and they killed many attackers. No one was at the rudder and the ship ran aground making it possible for the archers to run into the water and climb on using the small boats around the riverboat.

The Numenoreans fought for their life. Some of them screamed, not from wound, but in hope that people close to Tatyalonde would hear them.

Slowly the fighting die out. The attackers jumped on the last few Numenoreans alive and even if they did what they could to inflect pain on the attackers, they were outnumbered and all Numenoreans on the ship was dead. Even though they had killed twice their own number, there were still a handful surviving attackers with no wounds. Their wounded comrades cried and begged for help, but they started searching the ship instead.

No one notice the Numenorean in the water. He was hit be an arrow as the first and had fallen into the water. Now he held on to one of the attackers small boats and slowly drifted from the riverboat and down the stream towards Tatyalonde.

He looked back at the riverboat and heard the cheers as the attackers found the cargo the ship was carrying.

When he felt safe, he went shore and attended his wound. The Numenoreans was well educated in this. He removed the arrow and pushed a small fabric into the wound to stop the bleeding. After a few hours, when the night came, he felt safe and started to walk towards Tatyalonde.

The night watch at the palisade saw him and they help him inside.

The episode came before the council of Numenor. A Numenorean from Tatyalonde told the story.

He said; "We returned and found the boat. We found all our sailors dead from wounds. We also found many enemies there, some of who was alive. They had been abandon by their comrades who had fled with the cargo. We interrogated them and punished them afterwards as pirates and murderers deserve."

Everyone at the council knew that the punishment was dead.

Tar-Telemmaite was furious. He said; "what happened with the cargo? It was my property. I had got this from honest trade with the Naugrim."

"I do not know;" said the warrior; "we believe that they sailed back across the river and then south towards the mountains. We followed them, but even though they had only one days head start and were on feet, they left no traces. There are many trees in that area and it is easy to hide. If they divided the cargo of gems among five or six, it will also be easy to carry. We returned to Tatyalonde, before more blood was waisted."

The king stood up and left his Throne. He walked to the back of the room and returned while speaking.

"I asked the gems to be delivered fast. They must have known the ship was unescorted. Could there be traitors among the servants and workers at the White Tower?"

However, no one knew if this was the case, so the council did not speak.

The king stopped. He faced the council and stretched his arms towards the members.

"Any advices from the council of Numenor to their King?" He asked.

One member said; "We should not sail ships unescorted;" but then realized that the order had come from the king and quickly stopped talking.

Another one said; "Maybe we can send cargo north to Tharbad and then to the sea, if we rebuild Vinyalonde."

The King said; "It is twice the distance. Tharbad is in ruins and we have no harbour there anymore."

The King was angry. He continued; "and do not suggest we send it to Umbar, as we have no control over the land around Harnen anymore!"

Nobody wanted to speak. They knew the last suggestion by the King was only to ridicule the previous one.

The King relaxed. He said; "there must be someone in the council bold enough to give a solid advice to the King."

Telemmaite let his eyes slowly follow the members from the back to front where the member from Mittalmar was sitting closest to the King.

Then he looked at his Throne and next to it the empty place where the Heir should have been seated.

"This meeting is over;" Tar-Telemmaite proclaimed.