Chapter Twenty One: The Frozen Wasteland and the Elf Lord's gift

"Mordor is thought to be a fiery desert, but in the North, it is as cold as the Misty Mountains. Its peaks are so great that they remain capped in snow and ice through the year. Only in the beginning of spring and early summer, do they melt. They then feed into the rivers that form the sea of Núrnen. Yes, the beautiful lake was created from the peaks of Mordor. It nourishes our land, feeds our people, and gives life to our land." – an entry in Ursa's journal

"Overlord Grishnákh, your fortress is surrounded. Your tribes have abandoned you, as have your Warchiefs. Surrender now or we will unleash your war machines upon you."

Talion's voice, fueled by the Wraith, boomed across the desert as he gazed at the fortress before him. Beside him were four trolls, each armed with a fire canon created by the Machine tribe. Close to him stood Ursa atop her horse, clad in her war armor. Behind them, was a line of soldiers, prepared to charge when ordered.

At the front of the fortress, a green-skinned troll stood on his balcony. He roared through a twisted horn that sent his voice thundering to the army below.

Grishnákh cried out, "Ha! Your rabble are no match for my grand army! This wall will hold for weeks! Bang on my door all you like, man-filth! When you're spent, go and march your sorry arses back to Núrn!"

Overlord Ursa said calmly to her husband, "Well, we did warn him."

"Yes we did…" said the ranger, "Charge!"

Overall, the siege had lasted about two weeks. Finally, on the fourteenth day, Talion's trolls broke through the wall. It was here the defending Overlord's armored division arose to drive them back. However, the trolls were ready. Tied to their backs were the canons of fire. They grabbed hold of them and pulled on their levers. The fire spewed out into the armored ranks, driving them back. Those with wooden shields shrieked in fear as the fire latched on to them and found ways into the armor of even the most well-defended Uruk. It was not long before the ranger and the Witch Queen joined the charge, flooding the army with ice and fire. Within the next three days, Gorgoroth's fortress was nearly won. All that remained to be taken was the throne room.

As the gates came came crashing open from their battering gram, Talion sent in a dozen Uruk ahead armed with crossbows. They lay down fire and began to pick off the Overlord's archers. The Overlord Grishnákh sat proudly on his throne. As the ranger approached, he began to rise.

"Pitiful tark!" he roared as he pointed a finger at his assailant, "I have ruled this land for a century. You will not take it from me! No, you will not!"

From the side of his throne, he pulled up a pair of axes, each the size of a long sword. He swung his arms, causing his weapons to slice through the air. The ranger now charged forward, with a group of Ologs in tow. They collided with the enemy. Talion fired off an arrow and appeared before an Orc, gashing into its neck. He vanished again and slew another goblin. He then stabbed his blade into the stomach of a troll. Its thick hide stopped the blade only a few inches into its gut. It spat at him and slammed its hammer down, but he had already vanished. In that moment, he went for the Overlord. He sent ice across the floor. The goblins began to slide. As for the troll lord, he cursed in black speech as he broke out of the ice climbing up his legs. He then began to swing his axe violently. The ranger pulled back on the string of his bow and appeared over his head. As he regained his footing atop Grishnákh's shoulders, Talion took hold of his dagger and began to jam it into the troll's collarbone, between the openings in his thick, golden armor.

The Overlord shouted, "Get off me, tark!"

One of Grishnákh's bodyguards tossed a javelin up at his back. The ranger leapt off as the spear bounced off the Olog's armor. Talion rolled across the ground, now scrambling on the ice he had made. He called in his troops to defend him as he recovered. Grishnákh roared as he spun his axes about him like a whirlwind of iron and blood. He cut apart any that got too close.

The ranger pulled out his bow and prepared for another shot, this one an arrow to stun him.

Grishnákh said, "Gravewalker! I will not part piece of my treasure nor an inch of land! I will take your skull, your armor, and your fine robes... and make them part of my collection. As for your flesh, it will be served to m-AAAGH!"

The Overlord caught fire now as Ursa cooked him from head to toe. She stretched out her hand as she continued to send waves of fire up his body. Meanwhile, her guard surrounded her with box shields, keeping the arrows of enemies away from their queen. From a small opening in their defenses, she gazed at her prey and began to burn him alive. However, she did not wish to kill him.

The Olog-Hai now charged at Ursa, even as her flames ate at him between his armor.

"She-Orc worm! I will be sure to gut you!"

He tossed aside the goblins that ran to stop him, and knocked aside the Olog that was guarding Ursa. The Witch Queen sent a wall of fire out in front of her. He reeled back as it stung his flesh. These flames were far hotter than those burning at his flesh. These threatened to incinerate him if he so much as touched them, and even singed her own flesh.

Ursa said, "Talion! Take him down now!"

From behind, the ranger sent out a river of ice. It flooded over the troll and held him there so that he could not walk backwards. It wrapped around his legs and back. From the front, her flames were also surrounding him. If he tried to move forward another few feet, it would surely burn away his eyes. The Bright Lord now appeared above the frozen Olog, and landed on his back. He grasped hold of his head and dug into his mind. Grishnákh flailed as he could, the flames now biting him and the ice breaking from his immense strength. However, the Bright Lord's will was stronger. In a moment, Grishnákh's valor was superseded by that of the Wraith. He fell to his knees in submission.

Talion now sat in the throne of the defeated Overlord. Grishnákh stood by his left side, the branding having taken hold. In the Bright Lord's lap sat his Queen. Ursa, dressed in softer robes and her golden crown, leaned her head against his as they discussed their victory.

Ursa said, "I would like to arm our siege trolls with these 'Lak Bal'… bows of fire in my tongue. Smaller clubs will do once the flames of the Lak Bal are spent."

Talion said, "There is the matter of the fuel. It is found only in pits here in Gorgoroth."

"Then we must mine," said Ursa, "We will build more factories here. But Talion… this fuel is dangerous. It is not simply like fuel like wood. Once the fire begins, it cannot be put out. I hear that many Orcs were burned to death when it exploded. It fumes are like a fog, and a simple spark can ignite it. We should keep are dealings here secret. The plans must remain known only to the engineers and miners.

The Bright Lord now appeared before them and said, "We will keep the planners and smiths of the Machine tribe under strict guard."

"I promised them," said Ursa, "We will allow them to build other weapons."

"That is of no concern," said Celebrimbor, "Brand them at once so that they cannot speak of the secret."

The Overlord said, "Surely, this promise can be honored. Such bright minds could create us many weapons as marvelous as this one."

Celebrimbor said, "Indeed. However, only weapons meant for war are needed. Not foolish toys."

"Very well," said Ursa with a sigh of defeat.

The Bright Lord said, "It will take time to control all of Gorgoroth. Once our business here is done, we should send half of the army to Núrn to brace for the enemy's next move."

The Ranger said, "Yet several more territories await. Seregost and Cirith Ungol are ripe for the taking."

Ursa said, "Seregost… The frozen North... A land of beauty and unrelenting cold. The fortress there is ancient, almost as old as the foundations of Barad-dûr. That aside, it is not home to any formidable Orcs or black captains. We should have little difficulty conquering it."

The Bright Lord said, "A land of ice… a fitting domain to make our own."

Ursa then said, "My lord, you asked what do with the army here, of where to place it. Of that, I have an idea."

Atanáro soared in through a snow flurry, as another blizzard was passing through Seregost. He let out a majestic roar as he felt the wind bite at him while flew free through the tundra. The dragon rider struggled to see the scape before him as snow latched onto his face. As he exhaled, his breath poured out like steam. Bundled in gloves, boots, and thick fur, he now entered the frozen wasteland. Down below, he could see chains of small, snow-capped mountains. Far in the back, were the borders of Mordor, the great peaks of Seregost. This was where the Overlord awaited in his ancient fortress. For now, the ranger spied dozens of small camps and outposts, as well as an old-stone fortress connected to an underground mine. It seemed the Uruk were busy here. All of Mordor toiled as Sauron prepared for his return.

The following morning, Ursa and Talion remained camped inside of an abandoned Caragor cave. A blazing fire roared outside, a risk indeed, but needed to survive the cold night. Atanáro remained outside, coiled into a ball of sorts. His heated breath kept him warm through the snowfall.

"There now," said Talion as he pet his drake upon the nuzzle.

Atanáro's yellow eyes opened to gaze at his master and then shut again as he began to rest. As he slept, puffs of smoke continued to shoot out of his nostrils. Talion smiled and then returned inside to aid his wife. Ursa was gathering their rations to prepare a spot of breakfast. Immediately, he began to help her, letting their hands meet as they worked.

Talion said, "Right now, Inga will be having her breakfast prepared."

His wife answered, "What I would give to be the one preparing it."

"As would I," said Talion, "Forgive me. I should not have spoken so. I…"

"You miss her too," said Ursa, "Last night, I stayed awake doing some… calculations. It will be another month here in Seregost at the very least, with likely another month spent in Cirith Ungol. Measuring the flight back home, we will return in four months, if all goes to plan."

"Four more months…"

She said, "It is… already unbearable. If not for you here…"

Talion pressed his head against hers once more. He had become accustomed to sharing their bond this way. To putting aside all words and shutting their eyes to the world. It was as if their bodies were now one, and they could feel each other's pain and loneliness. In that bond, they found some solace.

At last, they pulled away.

Talion said, "After we eat, I will depart for a day. I must go and take the nearby outpost. It will be a more fitting home for you."

Ursa said, "Before you go… while we are alone, I would like to test something."

"A test? What sort of test?" asked Talion with suspicion.

"I want to better understand your ring."

Celebrimbor now appeared before them.

The Overlord said to him, "My lord, I have been pondering over the many ways this war may play out. It would be best if we understood just what it is you forged."

"There are no secrets to this ring… not to me," said Celebrimbor proudly.

Ursa answered, "When Saruman drew you out of Talion, I would say he was exorcising you. Taking a wraith from its host requires great magic. Afterwards, it left Talion dying, his wounds reappearing. The Black Captain again tried this. I suspect the ring can change that. If a sorcerer as great as Sauron attempts it, I wonder if Talion can survive for a time to retrieve you."

"The ring would protect me from such sorcery," said the Wraith, "What is your meaning here? Do you wonder if Talion could survive without myself, living off the life force within my ring?"

Ursa said, "My meaning is to know. I know you are curious too, Lord Celebrimbor.

"Hmmm" he said, "Then let us see."

Outside the cave, the three lords stood in a circle as they discussed Ursa's experiments.

She said, "Before the ring, you were able to walk away from Talion about… fifty paces, yes? What happens beyond that?"

Talion said, "I begin to feel ill and weakened."

"Indeed," said the Wraith, "Stepping away weakens us both. An inconvenience for the sake of your privacy."

Talion said, "To which we are grateful."

His tone most definitely did not sound grateful to the Wraith.

Ursa then said, "I would like you to go farther. Much farther. Then return as quickly as you can."

"Very well," said Celebrimbor.

The Wraith dashed away now, with the speed he often granted Talion. Within a moment, he had vanished from their sight, through the rocky scape of the valley's bottom. Ursa now gazed at Talion. The ranger waited anxiously to see if he would feel the pain and horror of death's true embrace. However, he seemed fine. He neither collapsed nor bled. Within a few minutes, the Wraith returned.

Ursa asked, "With the ring, I am sure you could venture quite far. Was there a point where you felt he connection sever?"

"Yes," said the Wraith, "About half a league."

"That far? Then you two could hunt together at times," said Ursa.

"We could," said Celebrimbor, "But my power is halved when I leave his body."

Ursa said, "Then Talion would be safe, as would you. The ring can sustain him."

"I suppose," said the Elf lord, a bit perplexed.

Ursa said, "I have another peculiar question. Please humor me a little longer. What would happen if I wore the ring or you entered my body?"

The Wraith said, "I cannot be certain. If you wore the ring, you should be able to wield it. Rings are not bound to their masters… although their power is greatest when united. I imagine you could summon all but me and the weapons I possess. Now, if I entered you, I would have to first break my blood pact with Talion. After doing so, the ring would continue to sustain him, but he would lose his power and unity with the ring. It would still serve him well, but without the Bright Lord, it would not compare. And should he take off the ring for even a moment, he would surely die."

Ursa said, "So there is some freedom in how power is distributed between the possessor, the host, and the ring itself.*

Celebrimbor continued, "Yes. On the other hand, if I possessed you, you could summon me as Talion did before the ring, but without the other half of my life force, it would again, not compare. That is my belief. It is not something I wish to test."

Ursa said, "Can it not be tested?"

Celebrimbor said, "I would need to use a blood sacrifice to enter you. No longer does Talion anchor me to this world, it is the ring alone. Even so, I cannot possess another without great effort. Saruman expended much to take hold of Marwen's mind and it was an imperfect thing."

Talion said, "This all seems needlessly complicated."

The Bright Lord says, "Be grateful I can speculate on such things. This is the result of splitting my essence… understanding the scales of power is difficult."

Celebrimbor then turned to Ursa and said, "So it will not be tested. The risks are too great. Now tell me… Ursa… why have such thoughts entered your mind?"

She said, "I cannot forget what Saruman and the Black Hand tried to do. Now we face Nazgul… we face the Witch King. I am sure, when next you meet, he will try to take sever your connection… all to make Talion a Nazgul as he promised."

"I see," said the Wraith, "It is as I said. The ring will protect us. You need not worry."

"Very well my lord," said the Overlord, "Thank you for satiating my curiosity."

Ursa turned away and looked towards the great wilderness before them. A vicious wind now brought a fresh layer of snow down upon them. Her gaze narrowed as the cogs and gears of her mind turned. A new danger had been growing in her mind for some time now. Questions of treachery were whispered. A warning of another power as deadly as Sauron. She did not believe it to be true, but she chose now to prepare. However, this was only a warning in her heart. She had been honest with her words. Ever since Talion had spoken of his two brushes with death, those dangers never left Ursa's mind. That was why she had so eagerly allowed them to forge a ring of power, not simply to overthrow the Dark Lord. She sought a power to sustain Talion and now she better understood how it could.

Ursa rubbed her hands as she strode through a pathway blanketed with snow. She shivered as it drained her of her heat. With her weak body, Seregost was a poor environment for her. She was clad in furs and robes, but the cold still it bit at her. By her side walked the Ranger and Celebrimbor. They had put aside their main quest for a day to investigate an old path. Here it was said that an old Orc treasury lay, a stash revealed to them by a worm. It belonged to the Marauder tribe who were infamous for their love of gold, jewels, and all manner of collections. There was no particular reason for this visit. It seemed only that Ursa and Talion had tired of weeks of hunting and flying. For whatever reason, the single-minded Wraith had agreed to it as well. A day of rest.

Ursa looked to the side as they walked and stopped in her tracks. She was looking at the ice formations of a cave beside them. They were arranged like mirrors. Long shards of icicles shone her reflection clearly to her. At the foot of the blue formation grew large cubes of ice. As rays of light hit them, they glistened like jewels. Further in, she looked upon pillars of blue ice deep in the cave's labyrinth. These too glimmered.

She smiled and said, "So beautiful."

The Bright Lord said, "You think so? Let me show you something…"

He turned to Ursa and said, "Hold out your hand."

Ursa titled her head in curiosity and did as he asked.

Celebrimbor reached out the ranger's hand and the ring began to hum. Like the beautiful creations in the cave, it glowed a gentle blue. Suddenly, small ice crystals, as thin as dust, were drawn up from the air and landed in the half-Orc's palm. They molded together now. In a moment, they had bonded into ice and taken the shape of a fowl. It was a swan with its wings spread apart, landing atop water that seemed to wrap around it, creating a cage like an orb. Ursa gasped in awe as she looked upon it.

She said, "Lord Celebrimbor… thank you. It is lovely."

Talion blinked in confusion from the gesture.

He asked, "Are you trying to win her favor?"

"Be silent. A moment will not harm you," said the Bright Lord before turning his attention to Ursa, "This is what is possible with the ring. Not simply war, but beauty, finer than any on the earth."

Ursa said, "I did not know you thought of such things… ah… How silly of me. After all, you were once a fine artisan and ring-maker."

"Indeed," said the Wraith, "I once carved and gilded with iron, bronze, gold, and silver… now the elements themselves are my ingots. A canvas of a raw ore to mold and fashion… This too is your power, to mold and create. Your fire. And my ice. Both these tools are yours, to use as you choose. Ursa, you will be the Queen of this new world."

"A queen of all of Mordor?"

"You knew this day would come when the ring was forged."

She said, "I did… Even so, I still cannot fathom it. It is the one thing I am forbidden from seeing even as it unfolds."

Ursa smiled at him and said, "It is beautiful. Thank you."

Talion blinked and said, "Well then... let's be off. There will be some Marauders protecting their horde."

They then resumed their journey, traversing through a narrow canyon between the roots of the mountain. Within another ten minutes, they reached the end of this road. Here they saw a patrol of Orc watching over a crevice in the mountain. Each one was clad in ornate gold and silver, as well as small jewels. A peculiar sight as Orc were known for their love of bone trophies and bladed armor.

The ranger now overtook them. He fired an arrow into the head of one Orc. The others now quickly charged at him, screaming obscenities and promises that their gold would not be taken without their cold dead corpses appearing first. In turn, the ranger drew out his sword and met the guards in combat. As another slipped around him, the Wraith's hand came to block its spear, grabbing it by the shaft. He then drew out a small luminous dagger and slit its throat. The goblin was left baffled, not knowing what held his weapon there. The ranger swiftly dealt with the remaining Orcs.

Ursa said, "It is as I thought, you two can fight together. I am glad, Celebrimbor, that you know some freedom."

"I have freedom," said the Wraith, "All that I need."

"Look here, Ursa! Come quickly!" said Talion, beckoning to her.

She ran over to him quickly in excitement. She followed Talion to the small cave the goblins were guarding. Talion used the eyes of the Wraith to make sure it was empty. He then led Ursa inside. The Overlord looked about at their plunder. On the ground were gold coins of men, as well as jewels stolen from many lands.

The Bright Lord said, "I will send Orcs to fetch it. There is enough coin to be of some worth."

Ursa said, "For the people of Núrn. Our Orc have no need of it."

She then said, "Look here."

In the back of the room, was a wooden chair, polished and well put together. Along the side were intricate carvings of horsemen and their steeds. The wood was a deep brown with specks of red.

She asked, "Horses? Could they be Rohirrim?"

Talion said, "I think so. The horselords were famous for their mastery of the steed and their talent in carpentry."

"I wonder how it came to be so far from home?" asked the Overlord.

"Years of bartering," said the ranger, "Who knows its story? This wood is elm. Ah, a fine chair."

Ursa asked, "Talion, I didn't know you were knowledgeable of carpentry."

The ranger rubbed the back of his hair in embarrassment and said, "I... I wanted to be a carpenter when was young. I would carve small wooden horses, slingshots, and.. a few chairs…"

Talion then said, "I suppose you could say that was my dream. Well, the dream of a child."

Ursa said, "I did not know… when this war is over, perhaps you could see it through? I would love to have something made by you, my love."

"Perhaps. But that is a long ways off, and for the best. It would be something to devote myself wholly too."

"Talion the Carpenter…" said the Wraith softly, "That is something I would like to see."

The ranger looked at Celebrimbor for a second, at his sudden warmth.

He then said, "Well, let us be off. I see nothing small enough to carry that is not gold or jewels. Are there any you would like for your collection Ursa?"

"None," she said, "I already have one. Ah… I suppose it will melt if I bring it back to Núrn."

She then said, "I think I shall take it to the fortress, to rest atop the front gate. A jewel more beautiful than any here… I hope it will shine brightly for all time."

With that, the Overlord carried Celebrimbor's creation back to the path of the keep. They left the horde of treasures untouched for a time, having no need of it. For Ursa, her many treasures were already by her side, save for the one she longed for by the sea.

Author's Note: Celebrimbor telling Talion he wanted to see his work as a carpenter is from the game's dialogue. It's probably my favorite interaction between them. It's one of the few times they are not at odds, but share a brotherly love. A "bromance" if you will.