Chapter 11: The Path to Mordor

While along the coast, just south of the Red Mountains, the Blue Wizards encounter a half dead slave named Brivar. The Wizards gave food and water to Brivar as he told them of his journey "I am a Tribesmen of Nûrn; Captured and taken I was to the South-eastern part of Mordor to a fortress city called Thaurband. That place of misery is known to my people as the city of slaves."

Brivar told the Wizards as he was quickly shoveling bread into his mouth "The day I escaped was also the day I was almost killed by the Overlord. Thaurband's Overlord took great pleasure in randomly killing us slaves. Me and three others were carrying crates of grog to the Overlord's keep. When we got to the entrance the Overlord came out colliding into us; causing us to drop and break the crates. Infuriated, the Overlord killed the two in front of me with his bare hands; grabbing the third next to me and throwing him against an iron cart. The Overlord then went over and picked the man up; slamming his body repeatedly into the cart until the Overlord finally dropped the man's lifeless body to the ground. The Overlord said while smearing the blood on the cart; how he greatly desired for his unfinished business. It was then that a guard ran up to the Overlord saying the Dark Captain had come."

Brivar said all attention was turned towards three Men approaching the keep; as he seemed to have been forgotten. Brivar then told "I quietly sneaked behind a shield rack and watched as three men dressed in black armor came up to the Overlord. The one on the right was a towering figure, the one on the left carried a menacing looking mace like I've never seen before and the one in the middle who seemed to be the leader wore a hood. The Black Captain told the Overlord that supplies needed to be sent at once to the Southern Sea. From what I could overhear, it seemed the supplies were for their ships that had a task to secure some stronghold found at Sea. The Overlord said it would be taken care of. As the Three Men turned to leave, the Overlord asked when he his duties in Thaurband would be complete. The Black Captain turned his head while still walking away saying that the talents the Overlord possessed were still needed for now. The Overlord then stormed off towards a group of slaves killing them in a rage. That's when I went and hid in the cargo being prepared for delivery."

Brivar then told the Wizards that the cargo was taken to the Southern Sea, there he then stowed away aboard a Dark Ship that sailed out as part of a large fleet in a South-eastern direction. He overheard some of the crew talking about an Island. That this fleet was the third to be sent to attack the Island and that no ship has ever gotten close enough to land. Brivar described that when the horn was sounded for the attack to begin; the fighting only lasted a few minutes. He saw thru a hole in the side of the ship the large Island; the island itself looked to be a massive fortress with tall towers. He saw fire being launched from the towers as it rained down upon the Dark Ships, sinking them one after another. Brivar believed he saw men within the islands towers. The ship he was on became heavily damaged with all the crew dead either by fire or by jumping ship and drowning at sea.

Brivar went on saying "The battered ship drifted for days with no food or water. I decided to tie a weight to my leg and just jump into the sea and drown. It seemed quicker than just dying of thirst. As I was fixing to push the weight off the stern of the ship and into the water; I heard birds. When I turned and looked past the bow, my heart filled with joy as I cut the rope tied to my leg. I jumped into the water and swam for shore. I guess I passed out from exhaustion when luckily you two came along and found me."

After Brivar told his story, the Wizards had him rest and said they would talk more in the morning. Alatar and Pallando saw that the men of that island could be the allies the East is in great need of. The next morning Brivar was telling them random things about the workings of the slave city over breakfast; when he mentioned the Overlord of Thaurband being a huge Ogre. Pallando immediately looked at Alatar then turned and asked Brivar "Was this Ogre Blind? Did he wear a helmet with no holes for his eyes?"

Brivar gave a full description of the Overlord and it fit Gôrtoc exactly. Pallando then asked "Did you ever see a female elf in Thaurband? She would have been a prisoner and I doubt very far from him."

Brivar replied "I never saw any elf in Thaurband." Pallando's heart sank but Brivar added "There was someone or something in that large Iron Cart that always stayed right outside the Overlords keep. I never saw what or who was in the cart as it was guarded constantly; but food was always taken to the cart once a day."

Pallando was now sure without a doubt that Nemirel was in that Iron Cart; fore he now recalled the image the Moonstone had shown him long ago of the Iron Cart and the figure of light within surrounded in pitch darkness. Pallando for a long time believed that Gôrtoc captured Nemirel in order to force him and Alatar to fight on the Ogre's terms; probably after killing Nemirel in front of them. The Nazgûl suddenly leaving for Mordor must have changed Gôrtoc's plans; which caused the Ogre to instead imprison Nemirel until he could return to the East.

The Blue Wizards advised Brivar to head north along the east side of the Red Mountains and that he would be safe there with the Eastern Alliance. Before departing, Brivar gave the Wizards a detailed description to the layout of Thaurband and wished them safe travels. Pallando tells Alatar "I should go alone to Mordor, as rescuing a single elf is not what we were sent here for. You should continue our task by finding this Fortress Island of men and gaining an ally for the free people of the East.

Alatar replies "My friend, where one of us goes; so will the other. We started this journey together and we will end it together. After all; going to Mordor may yet lead us to the help we need for the East."

Entering into Mordor between the Ash Mountains and the Sea of Núrnen proved too dangerous; as it was heavily guarded by legions of orcs, goblins and other foul creatures patrolling there. Alatar and Pallando made their way into Mordor without incident by passing the Gondorian Garrison stationed at the Black Gate. Once inside the Dark Lands they travel in stealth avoiding any patrols. They quickly learned that the Nazgûl where not in Mordor but had gone to a place called Dol Guldur.

As they pass into the borders of Núrn they encounter some of the Tribesmen being attacked by Orcs. After saving the Tribesmen; the Wizards stay on awhile and learn that the Overlord of Thaurband is away at Tamon Angren; the largest Iron Mine in Mordor. The Tribesmen tell them that the Overlord is usually only gone no longer than a month. The Wizards setup camp with the Tribesmen talking and learning about the terrain of not only Núrn but also some of Harad. In exchange, the Blue Wizards would go out scouting for Orcs; keeping the Tribesmen's area clear. The Tribesmen quickly became friends with the Wizards.

Whenever one of the Tribesmen would ask them why they were in Mordor. Alatar would look at Pallando then simply reply to them "Were hunting the Darkness."

The Tribesmen spoke of stories that the Dark Captain had beheaded two Wizards from the East. Alatar found the statement amusing and told them what the Dark Captain had told him many years ago. The Tribesmen mention that the Dark Captain's nickname Master of Lies was well earned. Alatar would entertain the Tribesmen with stories of their travels, while Pallando at first would use his insight to help the Tribesmen understand things better about themselves. As time passed and the month was coming to an end, Pallando started to become more distant; letting his mind focus on the task of finding Nemirel.

After almost a month, word soon came that the Overlord had returned to Thaurband and with him an Iron Cart. When Alatar and Pallando where told this news, they began their strategy. The rest of the night they poured over Pallando's maps studying the layout of Thaurband that Brivar described to them. Alatar made one more notch in his walking stick saying it was for Nemirel. Pallando for the first time in a long time smiled; because he knew his friend would not cut such a notch beforehand if he was not absolute of their success.

Before daybreak came Alatar and Pallando left before any of the Tribe awakened. In order to travel as light and fast as possible they left everything behind taking only what they needed; believing they would return there with Nemirel. When the Tribesmen awoke they found the Wizards deserted camp; leaving behind all their supplies and bed rolls. They also found Alatar's broken walking stick with the notches cut into it and all of Pallando's maps including his bone map.

Traveling fast, the Blue Wizards came upon a heavily guarded prisoner transport; they overhear that the transport is heading to Thaurband. The Blue Wizards take down two of the guards; disguising themselves and traveling with the transport to the slave city. When they reach Thaurband they watch as they see the prisoner being unloaded. To their surprise it was one of their own; Radagast the Brown was in chains and looked like his spirit had been broken.

As Radagast was being hauled away they hear one of the guards telling another that the prisoner was a special guest of the Nazgûl; that the prisoner's mind had been shattered. He was sent to here to Thaurband; for it was known how the Ogre felt about Wizards. Alatar and Pallando follow Radagast in the guarded escort to the Overlord's keep.

When they reached the keep, they see the Iron Cart beside the entrance. Pallando could wait no more; the Blue Wizards illusions faded revealing themselves unto the guards surprising them. Orcs fell to the Wizards fighting skills while others ran from the fight. When all the guards were dealt with, Alatar went to Radagast and Pallando ran to the Iron Cart. Pallando ripped open the doors of the cart with his staff. He jumped into the Iron Cart dropping his staff to the ground. Alatar freed Radagast from his chains and they walked over to the Iron Cart as Pallando came out carrying Nemirel. Pallando looked at Alatar telling him that she was in and out of unconsciousness but very much alive.

Alatar hears reinforcements coming and the unmistakable roar of Gôrtoc as he picked up Pallando's staff. Not able to return the way they came; Pallando sees the best escape route to take just as a flurry of arrows lands into the ground just out of range. As Pallando lead the way out of the fortress carrying Nemirel with haste; Radagast gets tackled to the ground by a large Orc. Alatar knocks the Orc off of Radagast and helps him up. Alatar looks into Radagast's eyes; then holds out Pallando's staff saying "I see the torture and pain within you. You are still one of the Istari and right now we need you." With that Radagast came to his senses enough to take Pallando's staff.

With Alatar and Radagast both fighting and defending the group, they made their escape. They traveled for a long time before stopping to make camp just outside the borders of Mordor. Pallando stayed by Nemirel's side; as she still went in and out of conscience. Radagast just sat in silence as he seemed tormented and unable to sleep. Alatar, worried for them all while he stood watch over the camp.

During the night Nemirel finally awakened telling Pallando "I saw you for a brief moment when the doors of the Iron Cart flew open."

Pallando took hold of Nemirel's hands "I never stopped looking for you." Pallando pulls the Moonstone from his satchel "It only showed me darkness but it also comforted me; as it let me know you were still alive."

Nemirel replied while looking up at the stars "My time in the darkness left me with only my mind and my thoughts of you outnumbered the stars in the sky."

Pallando tells Nemirel as he pulls her gaze back to him "I first came to Middle-earth not only because the Council asked me to; it was mainly to help and aid my dearest friend Alatar. Meeting you is what gave my task here meaning." Pallando then caresses Nemirel's cheek saying "I only exist as who I am now, because of you." With that Nemirel leaned over and kissed Pallando.

The next morning the Blue Wizards decided it was best to travel on south thru Harad to the Southern Sea; soon as Radagast and Nemirel were able to make the journey.

Nemirel told Pallando and Alatar about how Gôrtoc everyday threatened her he was going to kill her in front of the Wizards. Nemirel said that the Ogre's threats actually comforted her. For as long as Gôrtoc wanted to kill her in front of Pallando; that meant she at least would get to see him one more time. When Gôrtoc heard the rumor that the Dark Captain had beheaded the Blue Wizards; the Ogre came to kill her. Nemirel said she informed Gôrtoc that it was a lie, that she would have sensed it if the Wizards were dead. When Gôrtoc questioned the Dark Captain and asked to see the severed heads; he was told that they were fed to the rats. Gôrtoc saw thru the lie; for in the Ogre's twisted mind no one would throw away such prized trophies to the rats.

Radagast was detached from himself and it was clear that his mind was in severe pain; at times it would ease enough that he could speak, telling "I was captured while out walking in the woods. Such a fool; I didn't even have my staff with me."

Alatar asked "Where you in the Old Forest or Greenwood the Great?" Radagast replied "Greenwood the Great, though these days it is being called Mirkwood. I was taken to an old abandoned Elven Stronghold, now called Dol Guldur. I believe there was a Necromancer there; because it seems like I remember the dead was also around me."

Radagast quickly stopped speaking as his broken mind would lapse back into pain. Alatar, Pallando and Nemirel could easily see that the Brown Wizard was mentally tortured by someone who knew how to wield powerful dark magic. Radagast's mind was fragmented; his thoughts and memories out of place. Nemirel created a remedy by combining some mushrooms with herbs; telling Radagast that it will not reverse what was done to him but it would help calm his mind. Radagast takes it and was finally able to sleep.

Nemirel tells Alatar and Pallando "I feel great sorrow for him; that kind of torment he endured is permanent and will be with him for the rest of his days."

Later that evening as Nemirel and Radagast rested. Pallando gets out the Moonstone; peering into it hoping to find something that might aid them or help Radagast. A bright light illuminated from the Moonstone as everything around him except Alatar became still; they could see thru the bright vale surrounding them, even the birds were motionless in mid-flight. Suddenly standing before the two Blue Wizards was the Valië Yavanna.

Yavanna told Pallando and Alatar "Do not worry for Radagast. Though his mind was severely damaged; I have clouded much of his tormented memories." Yavanna thanked them for their aid; telling them that Radagast's work in Middle-earth was not yet over. Yavanna said an Eagle would come to retrieve Radagast and take him back north; that the forests of Mirkwood needed its protector now more than ever. With that Yavanna turned and looked upon Radagast sleeping; the bright vale surrounding the Blue Wizards was quickly gone with the Valië.

An Eagle named Gwaihir shortly afterwards came for Radagast when he awoke. The Brown Wizard gave his thanks "Appreciate what you all have done for me I do. I so wish I could remember your names to properly thank you. Could you tell me again one more time?"

Pallando replied "No thanks is necessary our friend. The name is Pallando, though you will not remember it."

Alatar tells the Brown Wizard "Don't let the inability to remember our names trouble you; as it is not exclusive to you alone."

Radagast then hugs Nemirel "Thank you for your remedy; I wasn't able to sleep for quite some time until now."

Nemirel pushed back some hair from the Brown Wizards face telling him "It's a simple recipe, do not forget to take it when you need to."

Since Radagast's tormented memories were clouded; Alatar requested "When you reach home seek out Gandalf; he can aid you in keeping a watchful eye upon Dol Guldur."

Pallando added "Make sure to keep your staff with you as well."

As Radagast was taking off with Gwaihir he told them all "Anytime you need aid, you only have to ask for it; the birds will find me"