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Chapter 6
The Shadows of Amon Sûl
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As they rode up the rocky paths away from Rivendell, the midday sun shone down through the branches above, turning the forest floor into a dappled maze of light and shadow. Some of the leaves were just beginning to change color, and Nell realized that there was the slightest touch of a chill in the air. They had already been in this land for roughly two weeks, and in that time, the weather had begun to shift from summer to fall.
Since leaving Rivendell, the three of them had largely been silent as they made their way out of the valley. The only consistent sound other than that of hooves was the light jingling of the bells on the leather straps that framed the head of Glorfindel's horse. The sound had not bothered Nell one bit the entire way thus far. Rather, she found it reassuring and almost like a pleasant melody, despite the tone never changing. Nell also didn't mind the lack of conversation. The ride was more calming than she had expected. She had been anticipating a sense of monotony and dread as the lengthy journey stretched out before them, but, possibly due to the Elf's presence, she was enjoying herself. With Rivendell fresh in her mind, and with even the slightest possibility of returning, she allowed herself to linger there in thought as the scents of the forest wafted through her hair on the early-autumn breeze.
Suddenly, she became aware that Glorfindel's horse was slowing. He fell back beside Yvonne. "We will camp at the edge of the Trollshaws tonight," he said, half turning to include Nell in his statement. "In the early hours of the morning, I will leave you to scout our way ahead. How long did it take you to come to Imladris from Bree with the Rangers?"
"Ten days," Yvonne replied.
"It should take us eight, perhaps fewer if the weather remains clear. There are still paths known only to Elves, and areas where the Rangers dare not go. Lord Elrond has impressed upon me that there is some urgency to your trip, so I will take you on the quickest route I know."
Nell took in Glorfindel's words with much relief. She welcomed any way that they could reduce their journey, and if it meant experiencing another way in which Elves were so profoundly different from humans, then all the better.
After he had spoken, a moment of silence passed, in which he seemed to cast a curious eye upon Yvonne. Nell watched him with her own measure of curiosity, wondering what might be going through his mind.
Then, Yvonne spoke. "If there are areas where the Rangers don't dare to go, wouldn't it be dangerous for us to go there?"
To Nell's surprise, the Elf's face lit up with a grin. "For the Rangers, yes. But for me? No. You will be safe. Even Orcs flee from the sound of Asfaloth's bells." He patted his horse's neck affectionately. The statuesque animal seemed to understand the magnificence of the being that he bore on his back, for he held his head high and stepped rather proudly, his bells jingling away.
The remainder of the day's trek went surprisingly well, and by nightfall, they were settling down in a tree line on a hill overlooking the Trollshaws. Boren and Lorthon had steered clear of this place, but Glorfindel clearly saw no danger, so Nell relaxed and made herself comfortable at the base of a nice old tree, while Yvonne claimed an old log for a seat.
They partook of a portion of their Elven rations, and Nell found herself satisfied rather quickly, and it took her even less time to fall asleep, lulled by the night noises and tucked securely under the warm Elven blanket from her leather bag, with Glorfindel keeping watch close by.
Morning dawned, a little chilly, and Nell wished that she was back in her room in Rivendell, somehow getting the feeling that it would be warmer there, despite the open windows and the changing of the season.
Reluctant to get up, she peered out from her blanket. She blinked to clear the sleep from her vision and adjust to the early-morning light. The campfire smoldered; the few flames that were left were barely visible. Across the way, it appeared that Yvonne was still wrapped in her blanket, and no movement came from it. Then her eyes landed on the Elf. He was sat against a tree, exactly where he had been before she'd fallen asleep, and he was very much awake. His gaze was cast outward, over the surrounding hills and valleys of the Trollshaws. Then, even though she had barely moved, his brilliant blue eyes turned to her.
Instantly overcome with a self-consciousness more intense than what she had experienced with the Rangers, she couldn't help but avert her eyes. She rubbed them—perhaps more due to nerves than necessity—and forced herself to sit up. She combed her fingers through her hair to try to make it more presentable—a small effort with a meager result—then looked back to Glorfindel. He hadn't been watching her the entire time, but as soon as she looked his way, he gave her his attention. Ignoring the small drop in her stomach, she gave him a small "good morning" smile. Seeming to understand, he nodded, a faint smile touching his lips in return.
Seconds later, she realized how hungry she was. Grateful to have something to keep her busy, she quietly dug into her bag for some rations. She was just unwrapping the bread when Glorfindel rose silently to his feet. She stopped what she was doing and looked at him questioningly. In a soft, low tone, his voice carrying as if on a whisper of a breeze, he said, "I must scout ahead. Worry not; Asfaloth will remain here. I shall return shortly."
With that, he turned and disappeared into the trees.
Nell looked at the white horse, who was standing beside Lux and her stormy grey companion, grazing contentedly. Asfaloth's bridle-like fixture had been removed for the night, and now hung from Glorfindel's saddle, which lay atop a fallen tree trunk with the other saddles. Every so often, the breeze would stir the bells, just enough to carry their sound out over the hills. The horse's presence was indeed a comfort, but Nell hoped that Glorfindel wouldn't be long. She glanced over at Yvonne, who was still asleep, and finished unwrapping her bread.
She looked out over their surroundings as she ate slowly, unable to quell the slight worry that something unpleasant would come upon them, almost constantly expecting to see a troll wandering amongst the trees below. All that she had was her Elven dagger, and she was not yet practiced in skills of combat. Despite that, if she had to defend Yvonne, she would do everything in her power to do so. Then, the slightest tinkle of bells reached her ears, and somehow her fears eased. Glorfindel would never have left if he'd thought that they would be in danger.
Minutes passed, and Nell's mind wandered. Everything that she had been through since coming to this land, everything that she already knew about it—what she might expect—and everything that Yvonne had told her . . . When laid out all together, like a massive chart, it was fairly overwhelming. She had adapted quickly, and she felt like if she thought about it all too hard, it would be too much for her. She took a drink of water from her flask, then inhaled the scents of the forest. One thing at a time.
As she tore off another bit of bread, she heard movement from Yvonne's direction. She turned quickly and saw that her friend was definitely awake, but had yet to emerge from her blanket. At last she sat up, casting her eyes about the small campsite, clearly searching for Glorfindel, but not seeming surprised when she didn't find him. "'Morning," she mumbled. "How long's he been gone?"
Nell swallowed her mouthful of bread. "'Morning. Not long. Maybe . . . fifteen minutes or so? He left as soon as I was awake enough to function." She laughed softly, taking another sip of water. Despite knowing that they must be safe, she was glad that Yvonne was finally awake.
"Well, I'm going to take advantage of his absence to duck behind a bush," Yvonne informed her. "Give me a shout if you see anything that looks like it might try to eat me."
"Good idea," Nell replied as Yvonne got up, flask in hand, and wandered off. Nell knew that she had been joking about being eaten, but she wasn't sure if it made her feel better to make light of possible danger or just reignited her anxiety. In spite of that, she now had something else on her mind: She had yet to duck behind a bush herself. As soon as Yvonne got back, she would take her turn.
Another breeze swept through the surrounding forest, and the horses flicked their tails. Asfaloth's bells jingled softly once again, and the sound set Nell's mind at ease. She wondered how Glorfindel was faring without his horse, and how much ground he would be able to cover.
When Yvonne emerged from the trees, Nell stood and told her where she was going, then proceeded into the underbrush. It was usually a bit nerve-wracking to be so far away from anyone in the wilderness, but it was worse here. She didn't take long.
When she returned, Yvonne was having her own small breakfast. Nell took a seat beside her, and moments later, Glorfindel was stepping out the trees. Relief filled Nell's heart.
"Ah, good, you are both up now. We should leave soon; we will follow the East Road for a short while, then make our own way off the Road. Our path will eventually bring us near to Amon Sûl, but with caution, it will be quicker, and will allow us to avoid most other travelers." He gave them a small smile. "An Elf traveling with two women is not exactly circumspect, and I wish to avoid loose lips spreading information of your whereabouts."
Amon Sûl. Nell liked the sound of those words, but at the same time, they gave her a sense of foreboding—and not just because Glorfindel stressed that the place would require caution.
Suddenly, Yvonne rewrapped her food and stood up. "You're right. We should hurry. We don't have any time to waste."
Nell looked at Yvonne quizzically as she made quick work of packing up her supplies, then caught Glorfindel's expression. He also seemed rather confused by her reaction. But Nell shrugged it off and set to stowing the rest of her rations, then rolled up her blanket and bedroll. After tacking up her horse, alongside Yvonne, she secured her gear to the saddle, as she had grown so accustomed to doing.
Soon, the three of them were mounted up, and Glorfindel led the way through the forest, leaving the Trollshaws behind.
They saw no travelers on the road, for which Nell was glad, even if they had been offering berries or some other generous treat, as that girl had done before. An uneventful ride was much preferred, and she enjoyed the peaceful nature of riding behind the Elf.
They followed the East Road for a few hours, until Glorfindel led them off of it onto a small trail. It was so inconspicuous that Nell would never have noticed it on her own. The Road disappeared from view as they traveled farther into the gently rolling hills.
It was past midday when the Elf halted. "We can take a short break here. There is a small stream beyond those rocks the horses can drink at whilst we stretch our legs." He smoothly dismounted, then murmured something in Asfaloth's ear that sent him off to graze. Nell and Yvonne followed suit, and as Nell's feet hit the ground, she saw the golden Elf approaching from the corner of her eye. She turned in time to see him stop beside Yvonne. A moment later, Yvonne noticed the same thing. She jumped back, bumping into Lux.
"My apologies," Glorfindel said. "I didn't mean to startle you. I simply noticed you seemed newly worried, and wished to inquire as to the cause of your concern. I do not know why Lord Elrond has sent the two of you on this journey, but it must be for a dire cause. Do your worries have anything to do with why we ride with such haste?"
Yvonne looked at Nell with wide eyes. Nell saw the struggle there, knew that she must wish that she could tell Glorfindel everything. If anyone felt trustworthy, other than Elrond, it was him. But still . . .
"I can't tell you," Yvonne said at last. "I'm just . . . worried we might be too late. Or that we might run into something too dangerous to handle."
Glorfindel considered her for a moment, then gave a nod. "Very well. Worry not. If danger should meet us, I will not allow harm to come to either of you. As for being 'too late,' as you say, I am afraid that we can only shorten the journey further if you would be willing to sacrifice sleep, though I do not know if such a thing should be recommended."
Nell stood with her Elven-leather bag and other supplies, taking the load off of her horse while he grazed, and listened silently to Yvonne and Glorfindel's conversation. She knew that Yvonne must be concerned about the black riders—the Ringwraiths—intercepting them, and she really hoped that her fears were unfounded. She could only imagine than Elves, particularly one such as Glorfindel, must be skilled in combat, but she would rather not have to witness those skills in action, especially if he was the only one who would be fighting. A feeling of helplessness came over her, and she turned toward the stream to find a place to rest and enjoy the beautiful—and nonthreatening—scenery.
They rode on after a short rest, and camped in the open that night. It was a couple of days into their journey, and a high ridge of hills had begun to draw closer on the horizon when Glorfindel pointed out Amon Sûl. Nell stared up at the hill. The ruins upon it loomed above the trees, a circular structure that vaguely resembled a tower. An ominous sense of dread stirred within Nell—as did a flicker of recognition. She suddenly remembered what Yvonne had told her about a place called Weathertop—a ruined watchtower on a hill, where Frodo would be wounded by a Ringwraith's blade. As if on instinct, she knew that this was the place. She had never seen anything like it in person, and though it wasn't nearly as impressive as Rivendell, she found it awe-inspiring in its own way.
A little later that evening, Yvonne asked, "Are we camping there tonight?" She was clearly referring to the ruins, as they were heading straight for them.
The Elf shook his head, his long, golden hair somehow still in perfect condition despite the days of travel. "Not unless you wish to sleep without a fire. It is far too exposed for my liking. We will, however, camp near the foot of it. The hill will offer us some shelter from the wind, and from prying eyes. Amon Sûl is more than halfway to Bree; in only a few more days, we will reach our destination."
Nell could hardly believe it—they had made such good time. Had they really shortened the journey that much with the route that they had taken? Or were the horses walking faster than before? She supposed they had seemed a little more energetic . . .
Suddenly, Glorfindel spoke again. "What will you do when you arrive?"
Since his initial inquiry, he hadn't asked about their reason for returning to Bree. Nell had no idea what to say.
After a moment's hesitation, Yvonne replied, "I don't know."
Nell's stomach twisted. Neither do I. She had been hoping that the journey wouldn't be as drawn out as before, but now, with the prospect of arriving in Bree so soon, and not knowing what they were supposed to do there—and having no one to help them this time—she would rather keep riding. She may have an Elven blade on her now, but she would prefer that it stay in her bag. She had never been in a position to use violence in self-defense, and she was not looking forward to putting herself to the test. Though she had an awful feeling that she would have to at some point during her time in this world.
By nightfall, they were approaching the hill, the tower even more ominous from this distance as it rose up out of the trees against the darkened sky. The moonlight did very little to ease Nell's nerves, and she was once again grateful for Glorfindel's presence.
They set up camp at the foot of the hill, the shadows of the ruins deep and heavy. Nell's sense of foreboding was greater now, and even the weather had changed to match it. The evening was overcast, and the wind blew in unpredictable gusts.
"I do not believe it will rain until morning, but even Elves can be wrong on occasion," Glorfindel said as he nursed the still-growing flame that he had made in the shallow pit they had scraped out of the rocky soil. "If the clouds break during the night, we will extinguish the fire and move into the shelter of the ruins."
Nell huddled against the wind, already wrapped in her Elven blanket, as she watched Glorfindel tend the fire. Yvonne seemed to be tense, if not concerned about something, and she was tempted to ask what was bothering her, but refrained, guessing that it must have something to do with what she knew about this land's story. Instead, Glorfindel spoke again, having apparently noticed Yvonne's anxious state.
"The tower was destroyed by the Witch-king's forces thousands of years ago. Its history may be dark, but it is long in the past. No ghosts linger there."
Nell found what he said about the Witch-king—whoever he was—unsettling, in spite of his assurance that there were no ghosts. She tried to take her mind off of it by having a bit of her food, and soon after, she felt herself growing closer to sleep. It was probably mostly due to the long day, but she had always gotten sleepier in the cold. She looked again into the surrounding black forest, but Glorfindel's—and Asfaloth's—presence eased her mind considerably.
At last, her stamina wore out. She lay down and closed her eyes, the heat of the now-steady fire warming her pleasantly. More than once, she was aware of Glorfindel rising to his feet and quietly moving to the edge of the small camp. He would stand there for a short time, staring out into the darkness. She tried not to let it worsen her anxiety.
She had just begun to drift when she heard something in the distant night that drove chills of fear up her spine: terrible, ominous howls.
Her eyes shot open, panic coursing through her, and Yvonne sat bolt upright, having probably been close to sleep herself. They looked to Glorfindel. Nell saw his hand on the blade at his hip, and though the image was strong and gallant, she hoped that that was all that she would get to see of his battle prowess.
"Wargs," he said, his voice carrying despite its subdued nature. "Douse the fire. I do not think they will venture this far, but I did not expect them to come down from the mountains either."
Nell didn't know what kind of creatures wargs were, but any wolf-sounding creature in this world that would make an Elf tense must be terrible. She sat up, clutching her blanket around her, and whilst Yvonne scrambled out of her own and kicked dirt over the fire, she could only wait with shallow, frightened breaths, heart pounding, scanning the surrounding trees for movement, ready to leap up at the first sign.
With the fire out, Yvonne came to join Nell. They huddled in the dark as the howls drew nearer, until a horrible scream echoed through the night. Nell's entire body erupted in a chill of cold terror. Not only due to the nature of the scream, for it was unclear whether it was human or animal, but because whatever it had belonged to had just been killed. She felt sick. She didn't know how she would manage to fall asleep now, no matter how tired she was.
The wargs were now silent, but Glorfindel continued to stand guard. Nell laid back down. Even with the Elf's vigilance, she couldn't seem to make herself relax.
She lost track of time, but she must have dosed off eventually, because the next thing that she knew, she was being pursued through a dark forest by one of the terrifying Black Riders. The usual fear gripped her in its vice, but with it came another kind of fear . . . She had to protect . . .
A flash of silver glinted in the shadows.
NO!
She awoke abruptly, heart pounding. She felt just as tense as she had before falling asleep, and found herself blinking against a drizzle of rain. She covered her face with her blanket, groaning softly, and remained there for a few minutes, trying to muster the willpower to face the day. When she sat up, she ached more than usual, thanks to the tension and the extra cold due to not having a fire. It was a good thing that they had Elven blankets. Squinting around, she saw Yvonne in the process of taking care of her bedroll, and Glorfindel was saddling up the horses.
Putting up the hood of her cloak, Nell dutifully sucked up her discomfort and got to work gathering her own things. Her cloak did a decent job of keeping her dry enough. For a while, at least. It grew heavier the wetter it became, and as they set off on the road once again, she knew that it was going to be an especially long day.
The rain persisted. Nell had always loved rain, but here, in this situation, with so little proper food and sleep, it was dismal. Not only that, but the sensations from the nightmare stayed with her, hanging all around, like the dark-grey clouds overhead, making her position at the back of their small party one of paranoia. She couldn't remember the details, only the emotions, and though she tried to think of something else, to turn the ride into something even remotely pleasant, she was unable to do so, and spent the long hours cold, wet and miserable.
Glorfindel, meanwhile, seemed more guarded and watchful, often riding ahead or behind to scout the area. Once, he had them change directions unexpectedly, returning to the main road for a few hours before leaving it again. When Yvonne had asked him why, he had simply responded that he was being cautious.
Between the glum weather and the unsettled mood, they didn't speak much. It wasn't until they were finally nearing Bree during the end of the third day from Amon Sûl that their escort once again asked what they were going to do when they arrived. "We will reach the town before dark. Have you a destination? Do you know anyone who can give you aid?"
It was the question that Nell had been pondering herself, having no longer been able to ignore the impending reality of being on their own in Bree. At least she would get a chance to talk with Yvonne in private. If they could even manage to procure a room. She had been so overwhelmed by the prospect of leaving Rivendell so suddenly that she had failed to try to figure out how they would pay for things such as food and shelter.
"We don't," Yvonne admitted. "We'll be all right, though." He voice seemed a touch unsteady, mirroring how Nell felt inside.
Shivering slightly in the falling dusk, Nell could only think of how wonderful it would be to sit beside that large hearth in The Prancing Pony, which would surely now be lit. Fortunately, it hadn't rained since the day that they had left Amon Sûl, but she had felt the chill in her bones ever since.
Glorfindel slowed his horse to a halt. The other two horses, used to following Asfaloth, slowed on their own, and the girls waited while Glorfindel considered them.
"I know you have secrets, and Lord Elrond is aware of them, but it does not sit right with me to leave two women who are unfamiliar with the area and the people here alone in a town they do not know. If you tell me your reasons for being here, perhaps I can help, and we can finish whatever duty you have here before returning to Imladris together."
The offer was so touching and appealed so much that Nell's chest constricted with emotion. If she had been alone, she almost certainly would have accepted. But their plan was clear, and something told her that this was as far as the Elf's assistance should take them.
"Thank you," Yvonne replied, as if it were difficult for her. "But we have to do this alone. You need to get back to Rivendell, and . . . well, according to Elrond, we need to be here. Nell and I have each other, at least. We'll be okay. Maybe we can camp outside the walls, or something."
He gave her an odd look, then realization washed over his face. Reaching into his light saddlebag, he withdrew a small but heavy-looking pouch and urged Asfaloth forward until he was close enough to hand it to her.
"Lord Elrond requested I give you this. It is coin, so you can purchase supplies and rooms at an inn as you need. Keep it hidden and safe, and away from the eyes of thieves." He backed his horse up a bit, still staring at Yvonne. "Did you truly believe that I—that Lord Elrond—would take you away from Imladris with nothing, and simply leave you to make your own way in the world of Men by whatever means you can? 'Tis no wonder this has been such a morose trip. Fear not; the coin is enough to pay your way for many nights, and another pair of Rangers should pass through before it runs out. If you have done what you need to do by then, you can request that they escort you back to Imladris, or else send a letter with them telling us you are well. And while my duty lies with Imladris, I can stay for a number of days longer if you need my aid before I leave."
The relief that washed over Nell at the sight of that bag of coins and Glorfindel's reassuring words was so immense that she felt suddenly warmer, and hope filled her anew. She and Yvonne were going to be okay. They would make their way in this world and figure out why they were here, thanks to so many incredibly generous people.
Still, she was seriously tempted to accept Glorfindel's offer to remain close by, just in case, but she knew that he must return to his home—not only because she felt it deep inside of her, but because Yvonne was insisting so readily. Yvonne, of course, knew things that Nell—and the Elf—did not, which meant that she probably knew what was best.
"Thank you, so much, for your kind and generous offer," Nell said, giving Glorfindel a heartfelt smile, "but we really will be fine."
"We won't camp outside the walls," Yvonne added. Nell couldn't see her face from her position behind Lux, but she sounded like she was grinning. Yvonne slipped the pouch of coins into her bag, then suddenly took it back out and dispensed a few of the coins into her pocket before replacing it. She spoke again to Glorfindel. "Your offer of help is . . . well, if things were different, I would accept gladly. But you really must get back to Rivendell, and I think we'll be okay. Maybe we'll return eventually. But if we can't go back with the next Rangers who pass through, we will definitely write. We couldn't have done this trip again without your help, Glorfindel, so thank you, truly, from the bottom of our hearts."
He laughed, a glad sound that sent a tingling sensation through Nell, easing her aches and the lingering melancholy, and they started moving again, the Elf in the lead. "'Tis not time for goodbyes yet. We still have a short ride to the gates. An Elf would not go unnoticed riding into Bree, so since you are adamant you wish to go on alone, I will say my goodbyes as soon as the gates are in sight."
Nell made the effort to soak in every last minute of their approach, wishing that the security of having an Elf with them would never fade. But fade it must, and despite her best efforts to remain positive about their not-so-hopeless situation, her heart sank when the town came into view. Night had fallen, but she could still see the clouds of chimney smoke wafting into the sky. It smelled familiar—warm, homey—and though it meant parting ways with Glorfindel and Asfaloth, and the start of a new leg of their adventure, it was a somewhat comforting aroma.
They rode just a bit closer, then Glorfindel came to a halt and turned Asfaloth to face the girls. "Here I shall leave you." His hair caught the faint moonlight, and even his eyes seemed brighter. "But I shall not leave until you have passed through the gates."
"Thank you," Yvonne replied. A few moments of silence passed between the three of them, until, finally, Yvonne took a deep breath. "Ride safely." She hesitated. "And swiftly." She turned Lux toward Bree. "I hope we'll meet you again one day, but if not . . . goodbye, Glorfindel."
Nell thought that she saw a ghost of concern pass behind Glorfindel's eyes at Yvonne's words. Nell would definitely have questions for her when they were settled safely in their room.
"Fare well, Yvonne, Nell. Until we meet again."
"Fare well," Nell replied, resisting the urge to wave to the Elf, for such a gesture seemed much too familiar and informal. Despite having traveled together for the past week, she still didn't feel like she knew him very well. She hoped that their paths would cross again—sooner rather than later.
Yvonne urged her horse forward, and Nell followed her lead, continuing on toward Bree, leaving Glorfindel to watch their backs like a guardian angel. She breathed in deeply to try to dispel the pit growing in her stomach at the thought of navigating the town by themselves. But she could do it. She had met and spoken with two Rangers, and had proceeded to travel with them, and had conversed and interacted with the most stunningly ethereal beings that she had ever encountered. She could handle some time in a human-run town in which she already had some experience. She just hoped that they wouldn't have to contend with Havarr again. At least this time they had proper coin.
Note: I described Asfaloth's headstall as "leather straps that framed the head of Glorfindel's horse" because Nell, being unfamiliar with a lot of terminology related to horses, wouldn't know the term "headstall," and I didn't want to say "bridle," because that would imply a bit, and Tolkien changed "bridle and bit" (from the first edition of LOTR) to "headstall," since Elves don't use bits. Also, we've given Asfaloth a saddle for practical reasons, it being a long journey and a saddle being good for carrying supplies.