AGARWAEN-BOR
CHAPTER 8 – THE HERALD OF DÚRFÁN
Aranwë stood atop one of the higher-set rocks. He had just passed through the plains south of Lórien and was about to enter a rather hilly area that led west. He held Anormegil tight in his hand, for it had been a day since Orcs that came from out of the West had captured Celeblhing. They seemed to come from Isengard. Making his decisions he took off again, running swiftly among the hills, ready to strike down any Orc that got in his way.
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"A mustering in the North?" Gandalf said, turning to Elrond. "In the Forodwaith? That is indeed strange. Then Dúrfán must have gone that way."
"Nay. Report has come from over the mountains. Lórien was besieged and they say there was a black spirit that none could withstand. I believe that was Dúrfán. I sent two messengers that way, Andú of Dol Amroth and Aranwë."
"Both are known to me. Well you probably could not have found two better errand runners, for Aranwë knows more of the Misty Mountains than even I and I am sure that Andú knows the land east of them. However, now I fear that they may have been slain if they were in the area of Lórien."
"This is indeed heavy on my heart. Alas, such evil times."
"We must make ready for war."
"War, Gandalf?"
"Yes. Dúrfán will not wait to strike."
"You are right. I shall send tidings to all of the Free Peoples. We march in four months. Now even more I wish I had Aranwë at my side."
"Do not despair yet."
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Andú sat on a rock that was set in the grass next to the River, polishing his sword. Anduin's currents were not very swift were Haven was; though easily swift enough to swallow anyone that tried to swim through it. He was growing impatient. The day wore on and still no sign of Aranwë or the Elf that was sent to find him. Around him the people of Lórien were being loaded onto ships that would carry them up the Anduin, for they were to make it to Rivendell, for the Muster of the Free Peoples.
Indeed the messages from Rivendell had reached the Galadhrim, and Andú was glad that their journey would be shortened, having only the need to go to Gondor. Andú thought it odd that the people of the Mark knew of the Orcs in the North and the people of Gondor did not. Perhaps there was trouble there.
Andú stood up and returned his sword to its sheath. He grabbed a half-eaten piece of some sort of waybread, not lembas but something more commonly used, and stuffed it in his mouth. An Elf approached him, whom he recognized as Haldir, the one who had rescued him.
"You are uneasy. You should rest."
"The waybread will sustain me."
"Do not be stubborn. I assure you, I will awake you first when Aranwë and Celeblhing arrive." Haldir said, as he smiled. Andú turned away and looked at the River for a moment, before turning back to Haldir.
"You are right. I will go rest, but be sure to stay true to your word." Andú said with a smile.
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The pair of Orcs that had bound her threw Celeblhing to the ground. "You shall wait for Master…" Celeblhing was disgusted by their perversion of Westron, but could not comment on it as she was gagged. The two Orcs tied her bonds to a stake and took off for the towering structure called Orthanc.
At one point, Orthanc had been a tower belonging to the Numenoreans. Recently Saruman the Traitor had occupied it. Finally, it had been given back to the King, but had been seized by some of Dúrfán's troops.
The guards could not withstand the coming and were driven into the Wild and slain for sport. Then the tower doors were thrust open
Celeblhing's bow was taken from her along with her knife and they were thrown on the ground, for the Orcs wished to handle the Elvish weapons as little as possible.
Celeblhing struggled pointlessly against her bonds. Suddenly a spell of weariness fell over her and she looked toward Orthanc, only to see a black figure walking toward her.
"Unbind the Elf. Keep your eyes on her, though. She, after-all, is my guest." The figure spoke. Then he strode lazily over to her, as she stood up, immense fury in her eyes. "An Elf left behind during the flight of the people of the Wood. Ha! Tell me your name."
"My name is not for you to know, traitor of thy kin. I know your treachery Falathar, son of Eldarion, son of King Elessar." She spoke, unable to keep her bitter fury in check. And so the black figure lowered his hood and it was Falathar.
"How could I wish to fool an Elf. How came you to be estranged from your kin?"
"I was sent to look for survivors. How came you to be estranged from your kin, black hearted fool?"
"I saw the wisdom in joining the side of power. Dúrfán's power is great. I am here speaking on his behalf, though he can hear all of what we say. For I am the Herald of Dúrfán."
"Fool. You deserve to be accounted amongst the Orcs, foul offspring of noble blood."
"Such words coming from such a fair Elf maiden."
"I would not hesitate to put arrows through your faithless skull, had I my bow."
"That you do not have. And like your bow, your life may also be tossed to the ground." Celeblhing was about to answer when an arrow struck one of the Orcs holding Celeblhing. She immediately sprang for her weapons. She fitted an arrow to her bow and just barely missed Falathar, who was using Orcs as shields as he passed through the crowd. As he got to he back ranks of the large assembly, he could see who had come to Elf's rescue. Another one of her kind, whom he also recognized, Aranwë. However, Falathar also had the power of his voice, and he stood tall amongst the hunched Orcs. He spoke in a loud and commanding voice. "Aranwë, son of Glorfindel, you have come to have your flesh carried away by the carrion birds as well!"
Aranwë's eyes met those of Falathar and though the stern Elf could not make Falathar do anything by staring at him, Falathar took a step back, as if trying to escape the Elf's sharp glance.
Unfortunately for Falathar, he had only a small band of Orcs with him, as the rest were busy forging weapons in the caverns of Isengard, which had been dug anew. Realizing his danger, he gave the order for the Orcs to kill the Elves, disregarding whatever important information they may have had.
And so it was that Aranwë and Celeblhing met for the second time on the battlefield. She turned to him. "Why did you come here?"
"Well, I found some arrows left over from the battle and I owe you my life, and so I followed the Orcs. Besides, Edhellond's exact location is unknown to me, and I wish to find Andú." He said as the Orcs began a charge for them, blades raised. Aranwë shot an arrow into their ranks and one of the Orcs stopped dead in its tracks, causing several more Orcs to run into it and fall over. Celeblhing turned away from him and fitted her own arrow to her bow.
-End Chapter 8