Escape from Umbar

At first the retreat wasn't too bad. The weather was reasonable for marching and the going was good. But this didn't last long. As the day progress, clouds rolled up and it began to rain hard and the wind blew stronger. Fog and mist came down and the land became boggy and muddy, unusually so, almost as though someone was in control of the weather making it more difficult for them. The evening came it was very cold and the companies had lost contact with each other. Beregelis was sheltering behind a tree in a land of hills which he didn't recognize though others had some idea of what it was.

There where six of them at that moment. Beregelis, Fergil, Danton, Beregond, Thondon and Mercil. Six of the members of Beregelis's company but the Sergent in charge was Fergil, Beregelis companion. Though I must say that in this situation rank was not all important and sometimes a good suggestion by one of the troopers could be taken up. But not everytime. Well, there was some discussion about weather to have a fire as it could attract unfriendly eyes, but as it became quite cold, the need for comfort one over.

Which, I am afraid to tell you, wasn't the best idea. At around midnight on Beregelis watch, he had continued his watching without waking Beregond the next one due as he was up awake with some kind of indigestion bought on by fear anyway so he couldn't sleep, there was a sharp noise. It was what he was afraid of and a man walked into the cave which the men where sheltering in. He gave a cry and woke his fellows.

But it was too late. In walked many of the Harad, their enemy with minds full of hate for Beregelis and his people. Well-armed with sharp weapons. One said, 'There you are, I told you I saw something. Let's get them, no mercy!' There was a sharp struggle, but Beregelis and his friends where overwhelmed. Beregelis noticed before he was bound that Fergil had managed to cut of one of the captors hands as he was taken. Beregelis was thinking, 'Good for him!' but the man snarled at Fergil,

'Just you wait, you'll pay for that one!'

Well the six men where bound and facing their captors. Which where many and each had something of a guard. The captors where men of Harad, pale-skinned with long dark or blond hair. These where people in the command of the Lord which you will find out about later. The captors where discussing what to do with their prisoners and neither option appealed to Beregelis much. 'Lets hang them,' simply suggested one.

'How about playing who can throw the prisoner the furthest down the crevice?' was another alternative.

But the captain countered, 'Now come on. You know our orders. We will sell them to slavery. Into a life of chains, dust and little food. I doubt they'll survive long. But that's slightly more fun. Get going!' There was some grumbling amongst the captors as some would have preferred a more blood-thirsty option, but they followed the orders. Though I can tell you that they didn't always and there where cases of prisoners been slayed out of hand.

For a few hours, Beregelis was miserably dragged bound by the Haradrim. He did wonder where he was been taken. Fergil wondered the same thing and had quietly asked him what Beregelis thought. Beregelis whispered back, 'I wonder if it's Irglis. That's not too far. I wouldn't be surprised if the Harad had made it a slave-town.' Well, the perceptive Beregelis was correct at this point. The next day he was sat down at a quarry pit outside Irglis.

An evil morning dawned for him. Beregelis was in a slave-town so it appeared to him. He supposed that fortifications where taking place early, but he could see many malnourished, wretched, miserable men of all ages doing their best to follow the impossible commands of their slavers. Whips where cracked, some stumbled, only to be whipped the more, and Beregelis noticed many corpses about that the slavers obviously couldn't be bothered to clear.

A gruff voice spoke to Beregelis, 'Can you serve drinks, scum?'

'Oh, is that me, yes I suppose I can!'

'Well, that's lucky for you, if you had said no, we'd have killed you for insubordination. However, we do have an important meeting today. You will help with the drinks. If you spill even a drop, you are dead. Though you are probably dead anyway, so it probably makes no difference!' So later that day, Beregelis was forced to serve drinks at the head table. Which wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't for the fact that he had the distinct impression he would have been killed at the slightest mistake.

Now, Beregelis's eyes widened as the Lord of the Haradrim walked in and sat down to be served. Though to be honest, he did think for one with so much power he did look a little weedy with a large nose, a rubbery face and very pale skin. One said to him, 'Lord Whitesnake, these are those from the delegation sent to discuss their grievances against your rule and recent conquests.'

The man called Lord Edward Whitesnake gave a slight weedy smile. He said, 'Well, thank you gentlemen. Let none call me an unreasonable man. Not to my face, anyway! Now then, grievances against my rule, well out with it, speak up, be honest now, tell me what you think! Oh, and Baldrick as your nearest a cup of finest wine would go down well with me, thank you!'

Well, Beregelis heard a number of points been raised, like, 'We don't like the corruption of your officials. It seems like it's a case of those with money have influence rather than those with talent or with our interests. This can't be right, can it? Half the advisers in our region are only their because they paid your Governor, money that we cannot possibly collect.'

Or, 'Whitesnake, your men drained the river that we relly on for our water, our crops are dying!'

Or, 'Whitesnake, men under your command are just acting like common thieves!'

Whitesnake looked and gave a condesing smile at these remarks. He made comments like, 'Indeed, Well that is a little harsh, maybe I should look into that!' for a while. Then he stood up and raised his hand. 'Silence!' bellowed he and kicked a stool into the air, knocking out a surprised man eating near him! 'You, you, you and you,' declared he pointing to some of the complaining declaration. 'I condemn you all to death for disloyalty. Go on, take them away and execute them tomorrow. Including all of you people, I don't like your attitude, execute all of them,' half the table where been sentenced to die.

'I should point out that I only invited you here to find out those that where loyal to me. Now I find out who is and who isn't those that aren't shall die. I decide what goes on around here for me and my friends and no-one else. So it isn't fair. Do I look like I'm bothered about that? Those that have disagreed with me can die. Plus I will have a look at your regions and find if you have any allies and kill some of those as well. Plus, you can too, Geockan!' said he turning to one.

'But I've always been loyal to you!' protested the man.

'And without any talent either. Your no use to me. And you bore me. Take him away!' Actually this wasn't totally true of Whitesnake. But he didn't like men of talent getting too close to him. Close, but not to close. Which I can tell you, made life a bit difficult for anyone serving him! Anyway as an encore, Whitesnake turned to his servant Baldrick.

'Baldrick, I thought I told you to serve me some of our best wine, not something that I think came out of your trousers! That is disgusting. Come here!'

'But my lord!' stammered Baldrick, who did nonetheless obey Whitesnake.

Whitesnake clenched his fist. 'Baldrick, headbut my fist!'

Amazingly, Baldrick obeyed and knocked himself clean out . Whitesnake turned to Beregelis. He looked at the man. 'Shall I kill you too?' mused he. 'I might, you know, I have had rather a trying day! Oh, maybe not today, then!' Beregelis looked away in relief thinking that this decision could have been different. And would it be, another day? Whitesnake continued, 'Oh and one more thing, increase the work hours of our slaves by one hour, please. What's that? They already work 24 hours a day? Well, make that 25!'

After that performance, Beregelis was thrown back in his cell with the others. In rather cramped conditions, they had a quiet discussion about their circumstances and the possibility of escape. Fergil was saying, 'We won't have much of a chance for long. The longer we leave it, the more guards we will get and the longer we will have to put up with slavery. I don't rate anyone's chances of survival for long!'

Beregond came up with an idea. He had put his shoulders up against the cells bars. 'You know, I don't think these bars are that strong for us. I think one strong shoulder charge should cause them to collapse!'

'We'll still be in chains, however,' pointed out Beregelis,

'Yes, but look at those rocks outside. I reckon those should smash our chains,' said Fergil.

It seemed desperate, but it was agreed. With some quick, but tough shoving, the cell bars caved in. Then with a few bruises been created, some rocks where used by people to break and escape from the chains they where in. Fortunately at that moment, no guards where about, manpower been scarce at times even for the Haradrim. So, Beregelis was free. 'But we have to move,' pointed out Fergil, scratching his head. With a cry, Beregelis pointed out a tunnel he had found which lead to a street and in the darkness the people slipped away.

Now, I know that this might seem to you like the Haradrim where been a bit lazy and not really taking care of their prisoners. Well, the only thing I can say is that that was what things where like in the fluid war of the time. And yes, I admit that Beregelis and his companions did get lucky! But occasionally, Beregelis did have these moments of good fortune as you will see. Plus moments of extreme bad fortune like getting captured in the first place to make up for it!

Well, it was still dark, in the early morning and Beregelis hid behind some buildings on the edge of town. 'Where do we go now, I don't recognize where we are!' asked one.

Beregelis said, 'Well just head North-West. A few hours we should strike the Harmnen. We'll follow that star!' he pointed to the night sky. Beregelis and some soldiers did have ideas of elementary reading of signs to follow directions when lost, but I'm sorry to say that many had not a clue, been more good at the actual fighting than scouting. But the travelling was in the dark and with many of the Harad not far away, the men didn't risk going straight on the roads, so had to take a more difficult route with rocks, dust and boulders.

But as he stumbled forward Beregelis did see in the sky bellows of smoke drifting and sounds of fire. The Haradrim where destroying much of the country as they moved. This was, unfortunately the way they behaved. It was a fact that green and growing things where much rarer in lands under the Harad control than Gondor and small workshops and smoke been more common. It was a sad sight, even in lands that wasn't his home.

As morning dawned, they where still miles from the River. But at least there was no sound of the enemy for now. It was perilous, but due to speed it was considered worth the risk to march on the open plain. But fortunately no living enemy could be found, though some corpses from both sides where past. But as he past a rocky hill, Beregelis heard a trumped and the sound of men marching quickly.

'Friend or foes?' wondered Fergil. The men where marching towards them and it was impossible to avoid so all they could do was to attempt to hide behind stones that offered little concealement really! But quickly a company marched round the hill in uniform of green and white and familair faces. 'Gondor!' cried Fergil in joy and they all leapt forward to greet their comrades.

It was indeed a company of Gondor. But Beregelis noticed the look of fear in the faces of the men and the rather unorganised natured of them as though the men where retreating in a hurry. Which had been the case. The Captain said, 'Echtelion and our main force isn't far from here. But we must hurry. The enemy is close on our heals and will make every effort to stop us crossing the Anduin. If we can do that we should be close to our reinforcements and our own lands.' The men marched for a short while and soon caught up with the main force.

The river was blue, swift and wide. But the army had supplies of bridge building materials to make a temporary if hazardous crossing. 'Hurry, hurry, hurry, the enemy is near!' Echtelion cried loudly. This was confirmed by arrows flying and some of the enemy's horsemen in blue and red charging into the rear of the column. Some of the arrows flew near to Beregelis and one struck Beregond in the back of the neck, killing Beregelis's companion stone dead.

But there was no time for Beregelis to grieve too much. Horsemen of the Harad galloped up, attacking the retreating men in the rear, close to Beregelis. The retreat and harassment had caused close to panic amongst the men of Gondor and the retreat was near to becoming a rout. It was only when Echtelion cried, 'Turn, about and fight!' that some type of order was resumed. In fact, Beregelis was convinced that it was only Echtelion that prevented a total massacre and no-one returning home.

Beregelis personally was assaulted by 3 Southrons. Now as said, Beregelis wasn't the greatest fighter in the army but he had been given some training. He attempted to whirl his sword with speed, hitting in turn the swords of his enemy. One stroke nearly stabbed Beregelis in the entrails, but with a quick thrust he saved himself swiping the Southron sword away. But facing 3 was ill-fortune. The swords came closer and it was only a matter of time before one hit home. With a cry of triumph one of the Southrons managed to cut Beregelis's neck. Blood flowed, but Beregelis thought it was only a flesh wound.

With a desperate parry and then a swipe, Beregelis did managed to slay one of his foes that fell to the dust. Rather to his surprise as much as anything, this seemed to do the trick and for the moment the other two where dismayed by his fierceness and fled. But there was no time for Beregelis to be triumphant or to worry about his wound. The trumpet for retreat re-sounded and time was at the essence. A rather rickety and unstable structure had been erected across the river by the army for the retreat.

The Gondorians hurried towards it in an effort to escape from the enemy. But more arrows thudded into their line, and with a cry a larger army of Southrons was spotted marching on the horizon close by. Now everyone just put everything into a desperate effort to get over the River. Now it was a case of men running. No effort was made to turn and to delay the Southrons or to fight them as Beregelis couldn't help but notice in contrast to what Turn had said earlier. Beregelis was towards the back. A group of men with him reached the bridged and hurried across.

But it was perilous indeed. Arrows lit with fire whirled around them. The Bridge itself had to be hastily made and didn't seem quite totally stable. Beregelis saw men fall into the water and was careful in the rush and the crush to avoid his footing. His neck-wound was bleeding quite badly, but there was nothing he could do about that. But just in time he made it across the River. As his feet touched the blissfully stable ground there was a cry and a rush and the bridge collapsed behind him. Both Gondorians and Harad fell into the water.

Beregelis dived into the water like others in the army to save someone. But in the time it had taken to grab someone that couldn't swim and drag him to the other bank, smoke had lit up, the current had proved too strong and no others could be saved. Bleeding from his wound, Beregelis sat down with Fergil who had a cut too, to attempt to heal himself as well as taken a much-needed rest.

Now, I am afraid it is impossible to have a confrontation of this nature without considerable harm been done to both sides. Many men had been slain, many more injured. You will be pleased to know that the healers of Gondor where amongst the best in the world, but despite this there where some that would be injured for many years, some more for the rest of their lives. Beregelis in fact in only having a flesh wound was relatively lucky.

Though he certainly wasn't happy. 'I really do hate all this,' complained he. 'Even if it is necessary but why? What a waste. If only we could live happily side by side!' Beregelis was sitting under one of the little trees in the tropical bank of the western Anduin. Fergil gave his shoulder a gentle pat and offered Beregelis a little stew which was all the food they had for now.

'Well, we can't really surrender can we? You've seen what the Lord of the Harad wants to do to us. And while he isn't the only one, the other major lords of the region have the same general attitude. You fancy living the rest of your life in slavery?' he answered Beregelis.

'Yes, I know, though we haven't always been whiter than white ourselves, have we?'

'Yes, that is true. Though the conditions we keep our prisoners or subject countries have always been better than those, there have been times when our people have had an Imperial outlook and we haven't always treated those under us with proper respect at least. But that attitude was some time ago. Quite frankly we simply don't have the power to treat people like we did in the old days. I suppose you're right in that it is rather sad that now that we are seeing the need to live more equally with our neighbours, they have become stirred up in rage against us.'

In fact, the forces ranged against Gondor where a bit of an odd, even unholy mix. Some of the most authoritarian rulers in the recent past had claimed lordship of Gondor and when they had been exposed as bad rulers with scant justification for power and thrown out, they had allied themselves with some of the wilder folk of the South and East in a general campaign against Gondor. However, I'll take you back to the main tale.

Indeed, there was worse news to be had. Not only had Gondor lost it's Southern lands, but also it's eastern ones. Plus, the King of Gondor had been slain in a charge against the Easterlings in the defeat. This caused much consternation amongst many. But not totally all. Fergil had muttered to Beregelis quietly, 'Well, this sounds harsh, but frankly I did prefer his son. Much more of a ruler. I'm not the only person that thinks this, many of our advisors do the same,'

'Bit of a rough way to speak of the dead, however,' replied Beregelis.

But, now the retreat was gathering more and more pace and steam. In fact, the only thing on most of the Soldiers minds was to get to the main River of the West and to cross it to safety. The direction to this was on a tributary from the River Hamnen to it. But Beregelis couldn't help but think the retreat was happening in too much of a disorderly way. 'Don't you think we ought to stop a bit and gather ourselves a little?' he would question, but not many where listening.

There was one night where he didn't get much rest as he had lain down with a dark hill looming behind him. It was a hill with a very evil look about it. With a bit of thought he had realized why. It was a plague hill. Or, rather it was one of those in the year of the plague around 200 years ago, but it still was devastatingly enough for it to be on the back of people's nightmares, but in this plague, many of those of the West where slain due to pestilence. Beregelis didn't sleep that evening, despite his tiredness. He kept on looking at the eerie hill where it seemed to him the unquiet souls of the dead beckoned to him.

The next day the retreat was in full vigour as men desired to get back to habitual lands that where not, relatively speaking, far away now. But across the bank of the tributary, Beregelis kept on noticing things that others appeared not to. Men, he was sure, where gathering across it and not friendly men, either. All day long he could see this, but no-one else appeared to notice, well the retreat was occupying the armies mind.

Eventually, Beregelis could bear this no longer and spoke to Fergil, his immediate commanding officer. 'Look, we are in trouble here. We are still over a day's march away from the River, yet already we are been overtaken. I believe we are in serious danger of been surrounded before we get to the Anduin. We're retreating too heavily. The time has come to order some kind of counter-attack!'

Fergil didn't really take this seriously at first. 'I'm not sure if you've noticed this, but we are been worsted out here. Those Southrons are too strong for us. If we turn around and launch a counter-attack, we'll be slaughtered.'

Beregelis replied thoughtfully, 'Well, not necessarily. Remember what Echtelion said what everyone seems to have forgotten. We shouldn't retreat too hurriedly. There must be some way we can harass the enemy. Perhaps we should attack in an unobvious place. If they are gathering on the banks to the East, they can't be fully prepared yet. Maybe we can attack them at the east? We must at least know the lands a bit better than them.'

Fergil coughed, 'Well, I'll mention it to the Commanders at our next meeting. This evening in fact, I believe,' and to be honest Beregelis didn't think that much would come of his idea. In fact he was more concerned about Thondon a small, dark companion of his that was busy writing away and had been doing for some time during the retreat. Beregelis turned around,

'Why are you scribbling away like that?' he snarled a bit irritably.

Thondon smiled, 'Oh, I'm just writing my journal. I know that many are, but we don't know how many of these will survive. So I thought I'd make my own contribution. Interesting idea of yours, there!' Beregelis sighed and eat what was the last of his rations. He was thinking that food might well be a problem in the future. But that evening there was news of deliveries.

'Yes, some supplies seem to have managed to get through. This time without too much hassle and as ordered. Must be something to do with the fact we are nearer home. Oh, and Beregelis a meeting in a few hours time, you're wanted. Our commander wants to see you, so good luck!' Beregelis wondered what this news from Fergil would mean to him. But in the meantime he had new supplies which was good. Some metal that he could sharpen and repair his sword and dagger with, much needed, food some gerkin for his helmet and some welcome food supplies. He even had delivered some of the fuses he was interested in, oh well, would be nice to have a peacetime interest once he was out of here.

Later he was presented to Echtelion in the Captain's command tent. Beregelis looked around at the Captain surrounded by many of the great and good in the campaign's leadership. Echtelion beckoned Beregelis and Fergil to come over to his table which was covered in maps, goblets and various tactical items. Echtelion smiled at Beregelis, 'You're right!' he said, 'We have been retreating too rapidly. Plus we do know that the enemy is overtaking us on the eastern bank of the River and might well get to Anduin before us. Now some of us will still get through, no doubt, but if we are cut of, many, probably the majority will not. This might just well be a disaster that Gondor will not recover from, Therefore, I agree and we will send out a small but dedicated team to make a counter-attack,'

'Well, I'm glad to be of help, good luck in that counter-attack, goodbye!' Beregelis tried to slope away.

A black man in the Captain's guard called to him, laughing, 'And, um just where do you think you are going? Someone as imaginative as you are will be a vital addition to those in the Counter-attack. It will consist of a few as we cannot spare many, but surely you weren't thinking of making such a suggestion to put men in danger then sneaking of without volunteering yourself, where you?' Been part of such an attack himself was rather more than Beregelis had bargained for and he had thought of that.

The man, called Forgil laughed again, 'Well, I'll be leading this one and you will be coming with me. So will you're commanding officer. So we need to be kitted out. Echtelion can't really come as he will be needed by the general army. But in such a desperate mission we will need special supplies. Deawin, here,' Forgil pointed to a lady of mature years that was in the tent, 'Has just come with the necessary. So, over to you!'

So, Deawin later presented him with a few items. A leather jacket, a better knife, some cunning poison which could be needed with arrows and some special leaves to help him with any injuries. 'It's not just you, the entire party you are with will be fitted with these. It took some time for us to get them to you and we nearly lost our way, you know! Anyway, good luck, I won't be staying the council of Gondor wants me. I'll have to speed on ahead of you with my little escort, farewell!'

'Indeed,' thought Beregelis. A very short while later, he was in a boat with Fergil, Forgil the commander of the counter-attack was in a boat behind. They where very small, river-travelling rowing boats, a little bit like cockles. With Beregelis was a rather small, hairy little man who was the Scout. He was one that knew the rivers and lands well around those parts. He was called Kili, an odd name for a man and indeed it was said that he was half-Dwarf, but this was ridiculous of course!