AGARWAEN-BOR
CHAPTER 10 – THE HAVEN OF EDHELLOND
Aranwë turned to his companion. "How far is it to Edhellond?" She stopped and stood still for a moment, looking around.
"About ten leagues. We are not far." She stated confidently. "However, if we are to go to the White City, you must guide us, for I know not the paths of the Southern Kingdom."
"That is well, for I was there not more than seven years ago and remember much of the land." He said, and they resumed their steady pace. "We must quickly reach Edhellond, but my horse I sent back to Rivendell ere I crossed the Mountains…"
"Let us quicken our pace ere daylight turns to twilight!" and they took off at a run.
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Falathar looked out from the tower of Orthanc. The battle was going well for the forces of Isengard. The Rohirrim had been driven back from the Gate and were now in the open plains north of Isengard that ran into Dunland.
"Master, we've beaten the horse-lords back." Falathar said, turning to face the empty room. In the center was a glowing orb with interlacing lines of red, gold, and purple surrounding it. The orb was a palantir, given to the Men in Númenor by the Eldar of the Blessed Realm. In all there were seven and Elendil brought them along with the White Tree to Middle-earth. Falathar placed his hand over the palantir, awaiting a response. A small whisper spoke in the back of his mind.
"Abandon the battle… Gondor has sent knights to help the Men of the Mark…" It was the voice of Dúrfán. Falathar's concentration broke and he ran to the window only to see a mass of ten thousand or so knights bearing the banner of King Elessar drive into his army from the side.
"Flee from Angrenost… come to the North… the siege of Lothlórien is complete…" the whisper filled the room again. Falathar turned back to the palantir.
"Yes, my lord."
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Galadfân moved with swift feet. His cloak billowed behind him as he went. Finally he reached Elrond's study. He knocked on the door and it was opened and he stepped inside. "Lord Elrond, my dreams have been troubled as of late. Ever and anon I think of the inevitable clash that lies ahead."
"You are not alone in that matter." A kind voice spoke from the corner. Galadfân turned to see Gandalf sitting at a table smoking his pipe. Elrond beckoned for him to sit down.
"I do not think we should risk open war." Galadfân said.
"We must risk it. If we fail, Dúrfán will rule all of Middle-earth, for I do not think the Valar will be moved to pity twice, lest all of the Free Peoples of the World begged them upon their knees. However, if we wait for him to strike he will overcome us. His strength, like his old Master's, will always be stronger than it seems and his plots otherwise than what we perceive. He has long espied all of the lands south of his current stronghold in the North. He had help, I believe, from Saruman, for Dúrfán, I now esteem, had been living in Middle-earth ere the Third Age began. Secretly he departed from Númenor, where he was staying at the bidding of the Valar, and secretly he arrived on these shores." Gandalf said.
"But what hope do we have against such a power?" Galadfân asked, determined to alter the decision, for fear that it was not time yet.
"We do not have much hope. But ere I depart from this land I would like to have done something to stop this power from growing." Elrond spoke.
"It is folly…" Galadfân said, looking down at the floor.
"Not folly my friend. We must not wait for him to strike first. He only needs one stroke to crush any hope of resistance." Gandalf said. "And you must be the one who confronts Dúrfán at last."
"Yes… I know… that is my mission here and I am fully intent on completing it lest I die in the process…"
"I am sorry that it must be so soon, but we must fight ere winter is upon us, and even now the days swiftly pass. In six months the snow shall come and therefore we march in four. We must reach the Forodwaith with the Host of the Free Peoples ere Ivanneth wanes to Hithui."
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Haldir espied from a distance two figures racing towards the borders of the Haven. He reached for his bow, but as the got closer he realized they were not bent Orcs, but two creatures running swiftly. He leapt down from his flet and brought no weapon with him.
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"Edhellond is now but minutes away." Celeblhing said as they drew closer to a small forest. Aranwë could see a grey figure silhouetted against the trees.
"There is someone waiting for us. " he saw off in the distance a lantern flicker on. The beam went from Aranwë's face to Celeblhing's and then they were greeted.
"Mae gommen an Edhellond, Celeblhing a Aranwë."
"Haldir, it is good to see you well." Celeblhing said. Haldir's gaze shifted to Aranwë.
"Your friend awaits you, son of Glorfindel." Aranwë nodded, but a sudden searing pain entered his arm. He latched onto his arm with his other hand.
"My friend was shot by an Uruk-hai at Lórien and now it has been six days since that time. He needs healing beyond my skill ere the poison consumes him." Celeblhing explained. Haldir nodded and stepped aside to let them pass.
"I am under oath to inform your friend Andú that you have arrived, my kinsman." Haldir said as Aranwë walked past, being supported by Celeblhing.
"Yes, I wish to see him as soon as may be." Aranwë said, turning his head back. Haldir nodded and followed them through an arch that was used as a gate for the Haven and was the only way in or out, unless one wanted to navigate through near-impassable forests for hours.
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Andú sat in a chair inside of his small hut that the Elves erected for him. His wounds were now fully healed and he would always look northward, expecting Aranwë to come down the path. But even as he gazed that way for a fourth time within a one minute he saw a grey figure rushing towards his hut. Haldir stopped in front of his house. "Master Aranwë has arrived, sir, you may go and see him."
"Thank you, I shall do just that." Andú answered the Elf. He got too his feet and wrapped his green cloak around himself before exiting his shelter.
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Aranwë took note of the beauty of the area. The Haven was encircled on all sides by a thick forest save to the south and to the east. South across the River one could espy the city of Dol Amroth with its high white towers. To the East was the Realm of Gondor and the White Mountains and the Mouths of Anduin the Great.
Celeblhing lead Aranwë to a house that was set at the end of the road, on the left side. This was the House of Galadriel and Celeborn. Aranwë gazed at it and saw it was built around the botanical life rather than over it. In a small garden off to the said that was nigh to the River Aranwë saw Galadriel sitting. Celeblhing lead him over and they both bowed. "My Lady…" Celeblhing said. Galadriel turned to them and Aranwë felt her glance pierce his heart.
"I am glad to see you have returned, Celeblhing. And you bring with also one of my kinsman, for his mother was related to me." Aranwë looked down, unable to bear the Lady's gaze. "It has been well nigh four-hundred years since your mother passed, am I correct?"
"Yes, my Lady, you are right." Aranwë said, looking back up at her.
"You have come seeking your friend. I have learned much of what goes on from him, for we had a discussion about the Muster."
"Muster?" Aranwë asked.
"Yes. Several days ago Elrond sent some bird messengers bearing tidings of a Muster of the Free Peoples at Imladris. We are marching to war in four months."
"War… heavy tidings indeed… well these are my tidings to bear to you. Master Elrond wishes for you to come to Imladris to meet with him and bring whatever force you may muster."
"Thank you very much Aranwë." She said. Celeblhing bowed and Aranwë tried his best to do the same. They turned to leave, but as Aranwë did so he came face to face with Andú.
"It is good to see you well, Aranwë." He said smiling.
"Likewise for myself Andú. Are you prepared to finish our quest?"
"Yes I am dear friend." Andú said. Suddenly Galadriel turned back to them.
"I wish for you to go with them Celeblhing. I too have a message that I would like to have you deliver to the Queen."
"Very well my Lady." Celeblhing said. Andú spoke this time.
"I thank you for your kindness and hospitality." He bowed deeply.
"Has your opinion on the Golden Wood changed?" Aranwë asked as they walked away from the garden.
"Somewhat. I now have know fear of evil within its boundaries… but it is extremely perilous still."
"Perilous only if one brings evil with them." Celeblhing said, her sharp eyes fixing on Andú.
"I suppose you are right. My name is Andú, by the way."
"I am Celeblhing." She answered. He now turned to Aranwë.
"Am I still to be our guide, Master Elf?"
"Indeed." Aranwë replied.
"Then we shall cross at the ford east of here and then cross the River Poros and go northeast to Minas Tirith."
"Minas Anor, please. The evil is now gone from Mordor and the name is no longer fitting.
"I only call it so out of habit my friend."
"As I thought. If I may, Andú, we will be off early tomorrow and will not stop until night fall." Celeblhing shrugged and turned aside from the path heading into the woods.
"As I thought I arrived in time for my shift though it only be for an hour. I shall awake the two of you in the morning. Aranwë can stay in your hut, Andú."
-End Chapter 10
Author's Note: Double digits! Woo! During school I've been working on a small piece in my notebook called "Concerning the Past of Aranwë" and intend to make it into an appendix along with a bio for Andú, Celebithil, Elcalen, and Elpalan (eventually). SS/Destiny Daae would you be so kind as to provide me with a history of Celeblhing (don't need stats or anything, just a bio) as she is your character. Also, I just realized I have no disclaimer! I don't own any characters Tolkien created nor any place in all of Arda (for now…) Aranwë, Andú, Celebithil, Falathar, Dúrfán, Elcalen, and Elpalan are mine. Celeblhing belongs to SS/Destiny Daae.