In An Age Before – Part 217
"And you, old friend," Helluin said. "I pray thou hast been well?"
"Life goes on and the Song unfolds," Maglor replied, "and it seems there is e'er a battle to be fought. I am sorry that Beinvír is lost. Her spirit was bright. We shall speak of this and more, but I see that allies accompany thee. Come to the keep, for I deem thou hast traveled far and there are others that would greet thee."
Helluin dipped her head to honor his words of sympathy, and then introduced her friends.
"Indeed so, five hundred miles we have ridden in the last fortnight. I am accompanied by mighty allies in the fight against Gorthaur," Helluin said as she waved her companions forward and joined them in a semi-circle facing Maglor. "Here is Tahmirih, Princess of the Mâh-Sakâ Confederation, with her warriors Kiana and Ashti. Their people are fierce foes of the worshippers of the God of Fire."
Maglor dipped his head in greeting and said, "Princess Tomyris, daughter of Targitai Khan. With your warriors, be welcome."
Helluin had marked that when the Noldo spoke in the eastern tongue, he did so with a noticeable accent, much like the sentry they had once met at her first crossing of the ford 'nigh Wahat Xzûwing. Helluin wondered at that only briefly, being more surprised that he knew of Tahmirih and her father at all.
"My friends, pray greet Kanafinwë Makalaurë, known in these lands as Maglor, Prince of the House of Fëanor and the most noble lord of my people remaining in the Mortal Lands," Helluin said by way of introduction.
The Mâh-Sakâ bowed in the saddle to him, eliciting an embarrassed smile from Maglor.
"Because of my father's misdeeds, my house was deposed in its claim to the rule of the Noldor and four high kings followed my brother's abdication," he informed them. "Lord Elrond of Imladris rules what remains of our people upon the Hither Shores, and many acknowledge Artanis Nerwen, the Lady Galadriel, Princess of the House of Finarfin, as the most noble of our people."
"Yet still, thou art the second son of the eldest son of the House of Finwë and she the fourth child of the fourth child of the House of Finwë," Helluin replied, "and neither of ye were ruler of the Noldor."
He nodded and an expression of sadness shaped his features, but then gave way to a wistful look and finally a small grin.
"I wager all such considerations are long ago moot, the matters of a past so remote now as to be the realm of memory only. Much has come to pass since then and much yet remains ahead," he said. Then his expression brightened to a full smile and he asked the Mâh-Sakâ, "Knew ye that upon a time, Helluin and I were foes and 'naught but fate saved us from crossing swords?"
The three warriors looked back and forth 'twixt the two, unsure of what to believe.
"'Tis true," Helluin said, "and 'twas a horde of Orcs that saved him and his elder brother."
"Of course, we had kidnapped the Lord Elrond and his brother, the first King of Númenor."
"Not to mention leading the Kinslaying of Avernien and driving Princess Elwing into the sea, though I had just slain thy two youngest brothers when we finally met," Helluin admitted.
Tahmirih, Kiana, and Ashti regarded them with increasingly wary expressions, wondering when swords would be drawn and the combat begin.
"'Twas all long ago, and as thou said, much has come to pass since, meldir nín," Helluin sighed, and Maglor nodded in agreement.
"Sometimes reflecting on it all makes me feel old," Maglor said, "and sometimes it seems as if 'twas but yesterday."
"A long road we have each walked since those days, and yet here we still are," Helluin agreed. "Shall we proceed?"
The prince gestured them towards the gate and they followed him 'twixt its massive doors.
From the gate, they passed through a long tunnel formed by the walls of the flanking towers and roofed by the gatehouse. The outermost portcullis was raised save in times of siege, whilst at the inner end of the tunnel was another portcullis, raised to allow passage of wagons and riders during the day, but usually closed at night. Beyond it stood an inner gate, again open save in times of siege. All along the walls of the tunnel were arrow slits for firing and murder holes perforating the ceiling. The floor was of wooden beams, and massive pivots at the inner and outer ends spoke of its ability to tilt to the side and dump intruders into a pit below.
Within the outer walls of the fortress, they found a mixed population of mostly Men and a few Elves. 'Twas both a military stronghold and a civilian settlement, much like the cities of Gondor, Arnor, or the realms of the Eldar of old. Helluin found its familiarity comforting, whilst the Mâh-Sakâ stared 'round at e'erything, trying to take it all in. A whole fortress of hard stone was rare in their lands, where mud brick faced with a coat of daub was prevalent.
"A strong fortress we have built here," the prince of the Noldor said, "in some part with the inspiration from our reports of Gondor gleaned during the Kin-Strife."
He traded glances with Helluin, both recalling the last time they had allied, now more than five centuries past. They had supported Eldacar son of Valacar, and had seen the return of the king.
"Hath it e'er been laid 'neath siege?" Tahmirih asked.
"Aye, twice," Maglor said, "four decades past and two centuries ere that. Sauron's minions were driven back with great loss at both times."
T.A. 1940 and T.A. 1740, roughly, Helluin calculated. In 1740, the Easterlings would have had just o'er a century to recover their numbers following the Great Plague, and 1940 was but four years ere the Wainriders allied with Khand and assailed Gondor, slaying King Ondoher and his sons. The respite 'twixt the two sieges here had encompassed the years of the Wainrider attacks that had culminated in driving the Northmen from Rhovanion to the Vale of Anduin. As she had long thought, the actions testified to a coordinated strategy that included the attacks by Angmar in the west. She broke from her ruminations as they exited the gate tunnel.
Once beyond the inner gate, they crossed a spacious outer bailey made claustrophobic by the o'ershadowing of the outer curtain wall, the towers of the gatehouse, and the taller inner curtain wall, all of which were crowned with crenellated wall walks perfect for shooting. Although bailey's margins were lined with homes and businesses, stables and barracks, most of the area was devoid of cover and looked like a very easy place to die. That impression was reinforced by the row of archery targets lined up against a section of the outer curtain wall.
Now they rode along a paved track 'round the northern side of the inner curtain wall, and midway down its length, they came to another gatehouse. This would be mostly in shade during the day, a great increase in comfort o'er the sun drenched southern wall.
The passage through the inner wall was guarded in a fashion similar to the outer gate, save that the gates themselves were elevated two fathoms above the ground. To reach it, an inclined causeway turned a switchback as it led up to a gap of three fathoms spanned by a drawbridge. This had been lowered into place, and being lowered, had the countereffect of raising the outer portcullis that acted as a counterweight for the bridge. Helluin wondered where the wizards had gotten the timbers to build it, as they had seen no trees large enough anywhere in Rhûn.
Maglor led Helluin and the Mâh-Sakâ through another threatening tunnel and into the inner bailey. They went first to a stable on one side of the yard beside the inner gate where a groom took their horses. Like the other soldiers they had seen, he was dressed in loose cut pants and a quilted gambeson of dun cloth, with a belt of tan leather and mid-calf boots to match. Leather patches embossed with a standing horse adorned his shoulders, denoting his occupation.
Whereas the outer bailey had held the abodes and workplaces mostly of civilians, the environs of the keep seemed reserved for the military. They saw none who were not soldiers, and these roughly equally divided 'twixt Men and Elves. Helluin noted the subtle shimmer of Light emanating from the fëar of perhaps one in twenty of the Elves, the compliment of the Noldor amongst the far more numerous Moriquendi. Most of both kindreds stared at Helluin and her companions as they crossed the yard. Helluin rolled her eyes at that, whilst Maglor grinned and chuckled softly.
Soon they came to the doors of the keep, and these were opened for them by guards who dipped their heads to Maglor as he approached. They ascended a flight of three broad steps and then passed within the keep, immediately entering a square hall with many stout pilasters reinforcing its walls, and a lofty ceiling of wooden beams and planks. The upper third of the hall comprised an encircling mezzanine with balustrades linking the open spaces 'twixt the pilasters. A staircase of but a fathom's breadth climbed in full view, reaching the mezzanine after a circuit 'round all four walls. The hazards of that approach were plain to Helluin and the Mâh-Sakâ, for anyone using it would be in full view and 'naught but a helpless target to archers on the mezzanine. Helluin expected that other broader and more secure staircases were less visible, perhaps arising in other rooms, or perhaps hidden within the walls.
Now rather than ascending the stairs encircling that first hall, Maglor led Helluin, Tahmirih, Kiana, and Ashti through a doorway centered in the wall to the right of the keep's entrance. An open portcullis guarded that door, and being that 'twas elevated, Helluin guessed that the floor of the narrow passage beyond the door was rigged to tilt, dumping any foes entering there into a pit.
Maglor noted his friend's suspicious perusal and grinned.
"'Tis a device oft employed here. I am told that the bodies fall to a great depth, for this fortress was built atop ancient wormholes." At the looks of shock and fear on the faces of his guests, he offered reassurance. "I am told that in this Age, none of those monsters abode hither."
Helluin gave him a piercing look and said, "Somehow I am less than comforted, meldir nín."
The prince shrugged and spread his arms, saying, "In the four centuries we have occupied this place, nary a tremor has been felt. I am told that the clime was milder and the ground wetter when last the worms burrowed 'neath these lands."
The passage ended with another portcullis, also raised, and they found themselves entering a terrifying hall of a dozen fathom's breadth wherein circular walls hedged the open maw of a great wormhole. The drop appeared endless, with cooler air flowing up from its depths, and 'naught but a narrow span of wood arching o'er that chasm. Helluin was instantly reminded of Durin's Bridge in Khazad-dûm, albeit reduced to roughly half-scale, for this Wizard's Bridge had neither curb, nor rail. Its breadth allowed for the passage of only one, forcing them to cross single-file.
'Twas a brilliant defense, both physical and psychological, but Helluin groaned as she regarded the abject horror on the faces of her companions. Tahmirih was shaking her head and gritting her teeth. Kiana's eyes were wide as saucers and she was clenching her fists. Ashti was visibly shaking, and she looked like she wanted to flee. Maglor turned back and regarded their terror with sympathy.
"Fear not, my friends, for the bridge is sound and I am told that none have fallen," he said.
"'Tis more the weight of cultural aversion to the worms and fear of their abodes that births their hesitation, for each of them can walk this path. Yet in their minds, they fear that there is a first time for all things and sooner or later, someone must fall," Helluin explained.
"Thou canst aid them in conquering their fears, meldis nín, as we have done with no few of our mortal warriors."
Helluin nodded to her old friend and said to the Mâh-Sakâ, "I can offer ye comfort from your terror. Trust me, my friends, I would not that mischance befall ye."
Tahmirih was first to step forward, and she came to Helluin and said, "I have trusted thee since meeting thee and riding to Suat. I shall trust thee now, Helluin."
The Noldo nodded to her friend and set her hands to either side of Tahmirih's face. Then she concentrated whilst staring deeply into her eyes. The princess heard Helluin's voice in her mind, but this time no visions accompanied it, only a calming presence founded on immense confidence and the surety of control o'er her own body.
As a child, thou learnt to stand straight and to set one foot before the other. 'Naught has changed and the task thou face now is no different. Thou art no more likely to fall from this span than would thou be to fall whilst walking 'cross a field. Fear not then, but set one foot before the other as thou hast done all thy life.
In her heart, Tahmirih knew the truth of those words. The narrow span was stable and held no tricks. Rather than fearing that she might fall, now she felt that she had no reason to fall. That the path was narrow and spanned a great depth made it no more difficult to walk than any path 'cross solid ground. She smiled and nodded to Helluin, who returned her smile and released her.
To Kiana and Ashti, she offered the same encouragement, and then, following Helluin, the Mâh-Sakâ walked 'cross that span as Maglor led the way. As when a child's confidence grows with each achievement of something ne'er attempted aforetime and they come to trust their newly won ability, that lesson once learnt was not unlearnt. To the ends of their days, the three Eastern warriors rejected false fear and retained the belief in their ability to walk fearless if there was 'naught to truly fear.
Now following their crossing of the Wizard's Bridge, Maglor led his guests through another guarded tunnel and into a comparatively unremarkable chamber, rectangular, lamp-lit, and lined with tall bookcases. Several tables were set in a row down the center, each having a number of chairs. The shorter walls stood to their right and left, the longer walls before and behind, and through open entrances in both shorter walls lay staircases that ascended and descended to other floors. Maglor led them to the staircase on their left and they climbed to the floor above.
They entered a room akin in size to the library on the floor 'neath them, save that it hosted two aged Men in long robes of blue. One was seated, poring o'er a thick, leather-bound tome and scrawling notes on a parchment with a quill. The other was standing and gazing out a tall window o'erlooking the inner bailey. At the entrance of their guests, they turned and smiles shaped their lips.
"Well met, Lord Maglor," the seated Ithron said, rising from his chair.
"Thou hast brought esteemed guests, old friend," said the other as he walked from the window to join the first.
Confirming at a glance that the Imperishable Flame abode in them, Helluin offered the two Maiar a deep bow. She marked that they looked much alike now, indeed as close in appearance as mortal brothers. Their faces were similar, though not so close that mortals would fail to tell them apart. Both were somewhat tall though not unnaturally so, and they were of average build, but appeared vigorous for their apparent ages. They stood upright, unstooped by their years, and their gaits were smooth and easy. The glint of humor lit their dark eyes, their hair and beards were full, and though grey now, from a few strands, they might once have been dark. But not in this 'lifetime', for they age not, she thought. Indeed, they have changed not a whit since arriving in Mithlond a thousand years past.
In Aman, their fánar had looked nothing alike, Alatar having been a head taller with golden hair, whilst Pallando had been notably muscular and dark haired. Neither had worn a beard. Being Maiar, they had been the same age, of course, yet Alatar had always appeared somewhat the elder. Both had retained their youthful maturity for millennia, perhaps mid-thirties and late twenties respectively had they been mortal Men. In those days, that had all seemed normal.
"'Tis good to see thee again, Heldalúne Maica i móremenel," Alatar said, "though of course thou art known as Helluin Maeg-mórmenel here in the Mortal Lands."
"We have heard tell of thy triumphs, but also of thy heartbreak, old friend," Pallando said. "We are sorry that Beinvír no longer accompanies thee."
"'Tis good to see ye both again as well, and ye have my thanks for your sympathies. Though we are parted, I still feel Beinvír 'cross the bond 'twixt our fëar, and so I have faith that we shall meet again one day."
Her assertion prompted a surprised widening of the Ithryn's eyes.
"So thou believe she wanders the Hither Shores still, Helluin?" Pallando asked.
"I believe so," Helluin replied. "Were she gone into the West, then I deem our bond would be severed, for like Aman itself, her fëa would be removed and no longer to be found in Middle Earth."
"We believe this to be true as well," Alatar said, nodding in agreement, "for we no longer sense those comrades gone from the Mortal Lands."
The two Maiar then turned to the Mâh-Sakâ and offered greetings and welcome.
"We are glad to meet thee, Princess Tomyris, daughter of Targitai, Khan of the Massagetae Confederation," Alatar said. "We esteem those who are our allies in spirit, though there is yet to be a formal alliance."
"Thy peoples' long struggle against the worshippers of the God of Fire is known to us and we look to thy victory in the north whilst we prosecute the south," Pallando said.
"We offer our thanks for your welcome, Magi Lāžaward¹," Tahmirih said as she and her warriors bowed to the wizards. Tahmirih produced the parchment containing her Appointment of Embassy and presented it for their inspection, saying, "My father's hope is that we may recognize our common struggle with a formal alliance." ¹(Magi Lāžaward, Blue Wizards [lit. wizards of azure/lapis lazuli] Persian)
Alatar accepted the parchment, then unrolled and held it so he that and Pallando could read it. They shared a glance and then nodded to the princess ere returning the document to her.
"We shall take council with thee on this matter, ambassador," Pallando said, "and I am sure a favorable resolution can be reached."
"Too oft aforetime we have seen that by the division of those who oppose his will, Sauron finds victory where a unified resistance would defeat him," Alatar said. "In an Age before, the free peoples united to meet his aggression, and by their union he was defeated and his Ring was taken, to the great diminution of his power."
Now after their initial meeting, the Blue Wizards suggested the company join them for the evening meal and they readily accepted, having become o'eraccustomed to trail rations.
"Pray join us for our supper, friends old and new," Alatar had offered, "and we shall share tidings o'er a good meal."
"I beg leave to doff this armor," Maglor said. "I shall rejoin ye shortly."
"Perhaps such wisdom should hold for all," Pallando said. "Helluin, Tahmirih, Kiana, and Ashti have been long in the saddle and they should be given opportunity to take their lodgings and recover a bit from the road."
To this all agreed, resolving to meet in the dining hall in an hour. During that time, they were given o'er into the care of a chamberlain, an ellon of the Umanyar of Rhovanion who conversed with Helluin only in Silvan. He had been wounded in battle long ago, walked with the aid of a cane and a peg leg of wood, and was now retired from fighting. He still despised the Yrch and Sauron as much as e'er, ending most of his sentences with, 'may he be gouged blind in his evil eye', or 'may his Ring be a thrall's collar 'round his filthy neck'.
He showed Helluin and the Mâh-Sakâ to apartments in the keep, and so roundabout was their route to those accommodations that they were unaware that their rooms were located a floor up and directly o'er the Wizard's Bridge and the great wormhole. There they set aside their bags, bows, and quivers, and washed the dust from their faces and hands ere donning clean robes, though Helluin retained her armor as she e'er did.
After the passing of an hour, the chamberlain came to lead them to the dining hall. They had grown accustomed to the rhythmic th-thump, th-thump, th-thump of his cane and peg leg on the floorboards as they paced down corridors and through passages. Along the way, he pointed out some architectural peculiarities of the keep to Helluin, being as she was the only one amongst them who understood the Silvan tongue.
Several staircases dead-ended into the ceiling. A hallway ended at a door in an external wall that opened onto a plunge of several stories. Some doors opened into blank walls. Skylights built into floors gave views into the rooms below, including one tall room where doors and hallways opened a story above the floor. They saw through windows into a room that had no entrance at all, though 'twas richly appointed within. Other windows were built to look through wall paneling at blank stone. Perhaps strangest of all was a room filled with water, seen through many windows set in its walls, where they viewed fish swimming, crabs walking, and sea cucumbers crawling amongst lamps, carpets, chairs, and tables.
When they finally arrived at the dining hall, they found the floor elevated by three steps from a narrow walkway at the level of the entrance. Adjacent to the steps in that narrow space, they marked a door and windows of two feet in height that opened onto the space 'neath the dining hall's floor. Inexplicably, it seemed that a low chamber had been built there, though for whom, they knew not. T'would be too low even for the Periannath.
The wizards welcomed them warmly, and despite their looks of curiosity, made no mention of the low room 'neath their feet. Their conduct left Helluin feeling unsettled and left the Mâh-Sakâ confounded. It seemed that Alatar and Pallando would offer no explanations for any of the bizarre architectural elements they had seen.
"I hope the accommodations proved acceptable," Pallando said, "and that ye are more comfortable now."
"Indeed so, meldir nín, the rooms were quite comfortable, especially after mostly camping out for the past three seasons whilst on campaign," Helluin said.
Pallando nodded and gave her a smile. Ere 'aught else was said, Maglor joined them, coming up the steps with nary a glance to the low door or windows, and taking a chair 'cross from Helluin and the Mâh-Sakâ. He seemed much more relaxed and comfortable, having traded his plate armor for a robe. Indeed, he looked much as Helluin recalled him from Tirion.
"Ahhh, Lord Kanafinwë, thank you for joining us," Alatar said, smiling and nodding approvingly. "Now our company is complete and we may begin."
Maglor dipped his head in thanks for the wizard's welcome and said, "Just in time for the banquet t'would seem…I find myself famished."
Pallando tugged on a braided silk cord that hung down through a hole in the ceiling. A muffled bell was heard ringing from the far side of the wall. Well 'nigh immediately, a train of servers entered through a door on the far side of the hall. Amongst them were both Men and Elves, dressed in livery of blue rather than the dun uniforms of the soldiers. Some pushed carts, others carried platters, and still others were laden with salvers bearing goblets, bottles, and pitchers. They set to work laying the feast, placing tableware and silverware before each diner, offering lap cloths, and pouring beverages. Dishes were presented in abundance and variety, and the guests were to serve themselves as their preferences and appetites dictated.
Helluin marked that unlike the extravaganzas in Khazad-dûm, the meal proceeded not in distinct, formal courses, but rather as an opulent family style meal. They were served a variety of wines, both red and white, chilled water, and deep brown ale, bitter and strong. A bowl of salad greens tempted Helluin unmercifully, for the diet of the Mâh-Sakâ included mostly grilled meats, flat breads, fermented dairy products, and steamed grains. Once the food had been presented, the servers withdrew, leaving the diners their privacy.
On platters they saw grilled songbirds on skewers, a whole goose in aspic, sliced beef tongues with root vegetables, a rotisserie-roasted capon stuffed with wheat berries and wild mushrooms, crispy, sweet onions, battered and deep-fried, baby potatoes herbed and baked, and a lovely cur's caput en croûte. Upon seeing the beef tongues, the Noldo wondered after the remainder of the beasts for they appeared not on the Ithryn's table. Still, 'twas a bountiful and mouthwatering feast and the diners barely managed to observe the brief 'silence of thanksgiving' ere digging in.
Now the meal began as the diners loaded their plates, and conversation flowed with the beverages. Many topics were explored and many tidings told. Each group had many questions for the others, and the wizards seemed to know more than should have been possible, considering they were consigned to a corner of Rhûn. Yet Helluin and Maglor had known many Maiar long aforetime and more, they were unsure of what support these still had from the Blessed Realm. Though trapped now in physical bodies and commanded not to reveal their true power, they were still subtle and saw beyond the ken of Ilúvatar's Children. Perhaps they felt 'inspirations' or were gifted with prescient dreams from the West. The truths of such possibilities the Elves knew not, only that upon a time, these Ithryn had raised their voices in The Song.
"Bountiful is your table, my old friends," Helluin said in praise, as she helped herself to a pile of greens, "and I give thanks particularly for the salad. I have not seen the like since leaving Eriador."
"I hope thou enjoy e'ery mouthful, Helluin," Pallando said. "We have some farmers 'nigh who understand the growth of more than grains. Their success depends most on the enrichment of the soil, and of course, irrigation."
"Lettuces, arugula, watercress, spinach and other soft leafed plants all need water and rich soil, conditions difficult to find in these lands. We grow them mostly in a guarded settlement 'nigh the river," Alatar said, "along with melons, figs, and various citrus fruits."
"Two months past, 'nigh ten thousand Rhoxolāni, blasphemers driven from our lands 'cross the river, entered these lands. I hope they passed your farms by and caused no trouble," Tahmirih told the wizards.
The Ithryn Luin chuckled, but dipped their heads to honor her concern.
"Fear not, princess, they were put to good use," Pallando said.
At the looks of surprise from their guests, and Ashti's muttered, "Hard to believe those idolaters offered any cooperation…," Alatar explained.
"Thou enslaved them?" Helluin guessed, prompting chuckles from the wizards.
"Nay, Helluin," Alatar answered. "They stumbled on our farm settlement three fortnights past, wary and exhausted, and deemed us their quasi-foes, the Medes. Our soldiers met them far more harshly than they had expected and eventually slew them all. Not inclined to waste any resource, the farmers planted them for the enrichment of the soil, as is their way."
The Noldo knew of only a few cases in which farmers used the bodies of foes slain in battle as fertilizer. Lebennin, long ago, and later, during the Kin-Strife, she recalled.
"Whence came these farmers?" She asked.
Again the Blue Wizards chuckled, and Pallando said, "A mighty deed was thy freeing of the Avari from the dungeons of the Barad-dûr, Helluin, yet not all of Sauron's thralls were as chattel 'neath his tower."
At her raised brow and questioning look, Alatar offered details for clarification.
"Many Avari and Men originally of Rhûn, Khand, and Rhovanion toiled as slaves, raising food for Mordor's armies in the lands 'nigh Lake Núrnen. From farms on the Plain of Núrn, we recruited many who had lingered there for generations after the war. Thou see, by the time of the war, most had dwelt there in thrall for tens of lifetimes of Men and knew 'naught else. Only did they know that after Sauron's fall they were suddenly free to eat what they grew and rule their own affairs."
Helluin looked at him in shock. She had been forcibly carried from Mordor by Sorontar ere the end of the war and had not returned to the Black Land after. Núrnen had been distant from the battles and far from the concerns of those contesting the war. She shook her head in amazement. Yet none of the victorious captains of the west had considered the state of Núrnen. They had been wholly occupied in exterminating such Yrch as they could find and razing the Dark Tower. 'Twas a monumental o'ersight.
"I had no idea," she muttered.
"In the centuries following the war, new leaders arose, most of them 'naught but warlords and petty tyrants. Upon receiving our offer, all the Avari and perhaps half the Men quit that land to join us. I believe the Núrnath have been far happier since," Pallando said.
"Incredible," Helluin said, shaking her head in amazement, "so these farmers and some of your soldiers managed to worst ten thousand Rhoxolāni. They are to be commended for their prowess, though I wager they had strong motivation against those who cleave to their tormentor of old."
"Perhaps we have given thee the wrong impression of the 'farm settlement', Helluin," Maglor said. At her questioning look, the prince said, "Thou know the fecundity of Men, and as in Númenor long ago, when immersed in peace and plenty, their numbers have greatly increased. In the past four centuries, they have come to number sixty thousands, guarded by a garrison as strong as this one. Indeed, their 'settlement' is 'naught less than a fortress city now. They name it Samara, perhaps in tribute to the original home of many of their families, Samar in Khand."
Samar' Khand, once the kingdom of Khamûl Nazgûl, Helluin thought, unconsciously gritting her teeth. I wonder if in the Second Age, he sold his people into slavery?
"Long ago, many of the Núrnath were sold into slavery by their king, Khamûl, and to this day they curse his name," Pallando said as if giving voice and confirmation to her suspicion. His words left her seething.
"As well they should," Helluin ground out as a glow of silver and gold brightened 'round her and blue fire flickered in her eyes, "for he accepted from his master a Ring, the second of Nine. Perhaps 'twas payment for his slaves. Now he is Khamûl the Black Easterling, Lieutenant of the Nazgûl and the abductor of Beinvír."
For a while thereafter an awkward silence enveloped the hall whilst Helluin slowly calmed herself. During the time it took her to reclaim the comportment of a proper guest, the other diners had continued with their meal, and after her aura had faded and the battle fire left her eyes, they moved to discussing other topics.
"Thou art appointed Embassy from the Massagetae, Princess Tomyris," Alatar said, "and thy father offers an alliance."
"That is so, for he values the wisdom and strength that come from Aman," she said.
"I am surprised that his knowledge includes a familiarity with the Blessed Realm," Pallando said, "for we had thought it only the Dúnedain who recalled that lore."
"Yet if any save the Men of the West were to learn of the West, t'would be he," Alatar added.
"Whyfor would he be favored thus?" Tahmirih asked.
"His house has long benefited from the aid of the Avar Halatir, but more than this, he employs one Enaree as vizier," Pallando said. At the princess' look of confusion, he added, "Ere he came to the Khan's Council, he passed his youth and was educated here." He smiled and said, "He is descended of mixed stock, Rhûnwaith on his mother's side, but there is a strain of Númenórean blood on his father's side. He is older than he appears and may pass five score years with vigor."
The Mâh-Sakâ received this claim with astonishment.
"He hath served my father since ere my birth, but I thought them of equal age. Does my father know?"
"Enaree was ne'er to offer thy father lies, though he may have given only partial truths," Alatar said with a small grin.
"Targitai was new-come to power as khan, but he had dreams of unifying his people. We deemed his purpose noble and would aid his cause. Alas, those years saw us recovering from war with the God of Fire. We were besieged here for two years, 1940 and 1941, and then broke the siege and turned upon the besiegers. We spent another year battling them on the steppe ere they turned west and fled," Pallando explained. "Thy father came to power in the next year, 1943, and at first he gathered a few clans and drove off invaders. Then he achieved what his fathers had not. More clans joined him, creating the germ of the confederation. As we could not send an expeditionary force to his aid, we sent Enaree to offer strategy and counsel. He was quickly accepted as an adviser, then as a councilor, and was finally promoted to vizier."
"Fear not, for he hath served faithfully for thirty-six years," Alatar said.
"Then ye should know that, like my father, he has been gifted a vision of Valinor and the Two Trees and now knows for what he fights," Tahmirih told them.
Maglor and the two wizards turned to Helluin, for from no other amongst the Mâh-Sakâ could such a vision have come.
"That was a mighty gift, Helluin," Alatar said, his face carefully neutral. "What did thou show him?"
Helluin shook herself free of the last of her rage and turned to answer.
"Tirion with the Mindon Eldaliéva, the Calicirya with a glimpse of the Bay of Eldamar, Ilmarin, Corollairë, the Two Trees at the Mingling of the Lights, and the Blighting of Valinor," she answered, ticking them off on her fingers ere adding, "and the Gates of Valmar and the Máhanaxar."
The Ithryn Luin nodded. 'Twas a good introductory tour and he had seen more than most of the mortals that had e'er come to Aman. Ar-Pharazôn's vast host had only marched so far as Tirion ere being buried alive. And Targitai Khan had obviously been moved by the vision, for now he sought an alliance with others from the Blessed Realm. As if she had perceived their thought, Helluin continued.
"The vision provided him with inspiration, and afterwards he declared the followers of Sauron to be blasphemers, infidels, and idolaters, and his prosecution of them a holy war. He persuaded the Council of the Mâh-Sakâ Confederation to join in his campaign," Helluin explained. "Since those days, he hath expelled our enemies from all the lands 'twixt the River Rā and the Orocarni, and now embattles any devotees of the God of Fire to be found east of the Sea of Rhûn. He commands a host of half a million warriors, fell and fully committed to his purpose."
"My father would join ye in opposition to Sauron and his forces, denying his servants succor in the east and dividing his resources from threatening the west," Tahmirih said.
"Indeed this he hath already done," Helluin said, "for by his threats to the Wainriders, he freed Gondor to send aid to Arthedain against the Witch King in 1975."
"We would formalize the commonality of purpose that unites us," Alatar said, "and add words that speak of mutual support as resources allow. We deem that a treaty of alliance would be of benefit to both our peoples."
At the princess' nod of agreement, Pallando pulled the bell cord and gave a nod and a subtle hand sign to a server when he appeared. The Man bowed and retreated, but returned shortly bearing a writing set and a stack of blank parchments. These he set before the Blue Wizards and then took his leave. Alatar beckoned to her and Tahmirih walked 'round the table to take a chair that they had graciously placed 'twist their own. Thereafter, the two wizards and the princess took to considering the wording of their document, scrawling notes and selecting phrases.
The servers returned to bear away the dishes and the remains of the meal, leaving the table cleared for their work. One brought forth a fine map showing the eastern lands, which Helluin committed to memory after careful perusal. Mentally, she added Suat, Didā Artāvan/Wahat Binya, Ürgenҫ, the huluppu tree, the cave of the confused mummy, the ruins of the persecuted Man, and the fords on the rivers Silys and Rā.
After a short time, she managed to catch Pallando's eye and he gave her a nod, approving her request. The Noldo took a sheet of parchment, borrowed a quill, and dipped it into the inkwell. Directly, she began to render herself a copy of the map, including the additions she had made. She did this from memory rather than repeated references to the existing map and soon enough 'twas done. But one location of the greatest importance was missing.
She looked o'er to her old friend Maglor. His eyes were distant and she realized that he had retreated from the relative boredom of the document crafting and into some memory. With a sigh, she stared into his eyes and gave him a soft nudge.
"Huh?" He muttered as he blinked and focused his eyes on her. "Oh, Helluin, are they done?"
"Nay, not as yet," she said, marking that the Mâh-Sakâ and the wizards were consumed in coordinating their phraseology and were paying them no mind. "I pray thee aid me with my map. The positions of some features escape me."
With a nod, he rose from his chair and circled 'round the table to take the seat beside her that Tahmirih had vacated. He gave the map a careful assessment.
"It seems quite comprehensive, Helluin, and indeed contains some features unknown to us," he remarked. "How is this pronounced, pray tell?" He had set his finger on Ürgenҫ.
"Oo-Eer-gen-(t)ch with no movement of the lips for Üer whilst the tongue forms the long e," she said, demonstrating it twice.
Maglor tried it a couple of times to familiarize himself with the sounds, then asked, "what dost thou find missing from thy map?"
"I would know the location of Sauron's citadel in the east," she said, "the redoubt he flees to when threatened."
With a nod, Maglor answered.
"The Yrch call it Skator, 'Hell' in their Black Speech. Some Easterlings call it Sheol, the Land of No Return. 'Tis said in their lore to be a dark place of deep shadows and endless nights, 'where even the light is like darkness¹'. I know of none who have escaped it and lived to tell." ¹(partial quote from Job 10:20-22)
"The visible fortress we call Sheol, but 'tis underlain by ten husks of increasing wickedness in which the Creation of Eru Ilúvatar is opposed and refuted by the contesting confederates of Morgoth. The most ancient lore of the Valar speaks of them. They are ancient forces and come from the Void. Theirs' are not physical strongholds to be assailed, but rather spiritual epicenters of the various influences of darkness, confusion, desecration, and division," Alatar said, having taken a break from the drafting of the alliance.
"In descending order, they are called Nehemoth, Gamaliel, Samael, Harab Serapel, Thagirion, Golachab, Gamchicoth, Sathariel, Chaigidel, and Thumiel. Each is personified by an attribute, encompasses a sphere, and spawns an order of daemons," Pallando said. "We believe that even were Sauron defeated and Sheol razed, these forces would persist, and perhaps only the removal of Melkor's discord in the Themes of the Song would banish them."
Helluin nodded, having absorbed their words. It seemed Eä was beset by more foes and greater evils than she had e'er realized, but for now, the ones she had long known were plenty.
"And so whither may be found this Sheol?"
Alatar leaned o'er her map, and with his quill he marked a spot some four hundred miles due west, which put it about four hundred fifty miles east and a hundred miles north of the Barad-dûr. Helluin thought she could find it with her eyes closed and had to resist the temptation to snatch up her weapons and ride out against it at once. She realized that she had some other questions that she could profit by having answered.
"Know ye where skulks the Lord of Lies, and where lurk his Nazgûl? Angmar is defeated, Dol Guldur emptied, but save for Tindomul, none have been seen in o'er a century and a quarter."
For a telling moment silence reigned, but finally Pallando spoke.
"We are not sure," he admitted. "In these bodies, our perception is constrained and we cannot sense him as we normally would. The Nazgûl are even harder for us to mark unless they are close enough that we feel the terror that flows from them, for they are not of the mortal world as we are now, but are rather as ghosts to whom we are blind."
Helluin could only nod in acceptance. At heart, she felt sorry for them, saddled with the task of moving Elves and Men to oppose the power of Sauron whilst not resorting to commanding them, nor meeting their enemy's power with their own. At the very least, t'would prolong the war.
"If both Angmar and Dol Guldur are unoccupied, then they may be in Sheol, or they may be in Mordor, or both," Alatar offered after a pause for thought. "Those would be my guesses absent any proofs."
For a while, they all remained silent. Helluin looked o'er to the Mâh-Sakâ and saw they were staring at her. From the expressions on their faces, she realized that they believed she was on the verge of abandoning them. Maglor and the Ithryn appeared to be weighing the same possibility.
They expect I shall announce my intent to charge out to attack this Sheol, and I admit I am so inclined, but my allies continue their campaign against the Wainriders and I have offered them my alliance. Sauron and his Nazgûl will long torment Middle Earth, but Targitai, Tahmirih, and her brothers are mortal and in a few decades, their time for war will be done. Very well, I shall continue to aid them, and defer my personal campaign. The time shall seem short in the end.
"My friends, I have accomplished that which I hoped to achieve when I came east. I have found my allies and I have learnt the whereabouts of Sauron's bastion in the east. He and his Nazgûl shall be revealed to me in time and one day I shall hunt them down. They can no longer hide. Yet for now, I am your ally, and I shall continue to aid ye in your campaign as I may. Together, we shall destroy the Medes."
The looks of relief on the faces of Tahmirih, Kiana, and Ashti were 'nigh comical. A smile shaped Maglor's lips at the prospect of riding to battle with her again, and the Ithryn Luin nodded in approval of her declaration. Helluin offered them a smile in return.
Little did she know that even as they sat formalizing the alliance 'twixt the wizards and the Mâh-Sakâ, her dear friends in Khazad-dûm were being slaughtered in their deep halls. The tenth month of 1980 was ending and already, Durin VI had been slain and his son, Náin I had ascended the throne of the Longbeards. Short would be his rule. From the Barazinbar Spur that she had discovered so long ago, and from which the Naugrim had wrested so much wealth, had come terror and death, shadow and flame, Durin's Bane.
Fear had grown and in summer of the following year, Inthuiril's bizarre sister Nimrodel would finally flee Lórinand with King Amroth and a great part of their people. Skittish as she was, she would ne'er dwell in a realm so close to Moria, especially when even the Dwarves would no longer abide there, and so she and the rest fled to Belfalas, there to take ship into the West. Alas, they were both lost as is told elsewhere in story and song, leaving only Nimrodel's handmaiden, Mithrellas wandering on Gondor's southern shore. There she was found, courted, and eventually wed by Imrazôr Dúnadan. A daughter they had together, Gilmith, and a son, Galador who became the first Prince of Dol Amroth. Mithrellas vanished shortly after, though none claimed that her disappearance was suspicious.
Having learnt from her that Angmar was defeated and she had worsted the Witch King, Frumgar had led the Éothéod north in 1977, to the lands east of Gundabad where they settled 'twixt Langwell and Greylin at the headwaters of Anduin. There his son would later succeed him, establish Framsburg, and slay Scatha, the Long-Worm of the Ered Mithrin, thereby earning the enmity of the Dwarves whose hoard the dragon had stolen. Battle followed and Fram was killed.
Finally, ere Helluin again made her way west, the Nazgûl, having spent 'nigh a century and a half ordering Sauron's realm in Mordor whilst Tindomul recovered, besieged Minas Ithil in 2000 and the city fell in 2002. The Nine claimed it as their abode after, and amongst the spoils won there was the very same palantír that Helluin had once recovered from Sauron during their battle atop the Barad-dûr.
When she returned to the west and learnt of all that had come to pass in her absence, she would see that in each catastrophe she had inadvertently played a part, and with each triumph, she had set in motion events leading to the suffering of her friends and allies. By remaining in the east rather than immediately riding against Sauron and the Nazgûl, she had given them a respite in which to attack Isildur's city. So much had gone wrong that it actually took Helluin a full day ere she shed her shock to become properly furious.
To Be Continued