Three thousand Men, a pitifully small force compared to the days of Gondor's glory, set out for the crossing at Osgiliath some two days later. The first day's march was much enlivened by gossip and speculation over the mysterious 'Captains of Rohan' who had fired the curiosity of the entire City. The young Men's looks alone proclaimed high birth, and by their manners and other signs it was clear they had enjoyed a nobleman's education. All of which made it quite certain they were not of Gondor. Two such could not have grown to manhood in any of the few surviving Ancient Houses without attracting notice. Nor would they have been allowed to sell their swords in Rohan.

The Elvish strain in their blood, obvious to those with the eye to see it, only added to the mystery. Where in Middle Earth had Men of Westerness mingled their blood with the Eldar? Not in Gondor, and certainly not in Umbar! Aragorn and Barahir were aware of the talk, and more than a little puzzled by it. For nowhere was there to be heard the slightest whisper or hint of a suspicion the truth. Strange as that seemed to them both.

"I am grateful but bewildered." Barahir told his brother softly as they walked together through the evening encampment in the ruins on the east bank of the Anduin to the Steward's lodging. "In fact I can't understand it at all. How often have the Eldar matched with Men? surely descent from the Kings of Old, who came of Luthien and Beren and Tuor and Idril Celebrindal would be their first thought?"

"I don't understand it either." Aragorn admitted, sotto voce. "Ecthelion thinks he knows something but I'd take oath he has no inkling of the truth."

"May the One continue to cloud their eyes!" Barahir murmured fervently just before they came in earshot of the sentries guarding Ecthelion's quarters.

The Steward was lodged in what had once been a large mansion. The roofless shell of hall and chamber had been covered with stretched canvas and rugs laid over the earth silting the floors. The hall was lit by torches and full of Men, the captains of the various companies, gathered round a trestle table spread with a large map of eastern Gondor. Aragorn and Barahir eased their way silently into the company.

"Seeing Ithilien abandoned by our people the Haradrim think to take it for themselves." Ecthelion was saying. "This we cannot allow for it would lay all of Lebennin and Minas Tirith herself open to their raiding." he put a finger to the map. "Our scouts have sighted small bands of raiders in South Ithilien but the main body of their host has yet to cross the Harnen. We will meet them at the fords of the Poros -"

"My Lord," Aragorn interrupted, "Forgive me, but why not challenge their advance at the Harnen?"

Denethor glared at him. "Because it would mean crossing the empty leagues of Harondor with its bands of brigands and Orcs!"

"I do not think brigands would care to assail so large a force as ours." said Barahir. "Though I grant careful watch would be needed at night against Orcs."

"The Poros is a wide river," Aragorn continued, "but shallow and slow moving, easily forded in many places not just at the crossing. We might find ourselves out flanked."

"Only too true." the Steward agreed grimly. "Such nearly happened to my grandfather."

"And we have not such numbers as Turin commanded." Prince Adrahil agreed worriedly, "Though we celebrate the Crossings as a great victory it was a costly one, more than we can afford to pay these days."

"The Harnen is a narrow river but deep and swift with many falls and rapids," Aragorn said earnestly, "the crossing too is narrow and dangerous, easily held by small numbers even against a great host."

"All this is true." the Steward said slowly. Or so our maps and records say." he raised his head to give Aragorn a piercing look. "You seem to know the ground well, Captain Elfwine."

He colored, momentarily at a loss. It was Barahir who answered, slightly defiantly: "We were in Near Harad some years ago and saw the Harnen with our own eyes."

Suspicion flared in Denethor's face but Ecthelion seemed merely interested. "A dangerous journey for Men of our kind." he observed mildly. Which tied both their tongues. He was right of course, it had been dangerous but less so than he might think given their companions. (1) Nor could they possibly explain why they had gone into a land belonging to the Enemy. Fortunately the Steward didn't pursue the subject. "Your suggestion has merit, Captain, but there are difficulties. I doubt our army can reach the Harnen before the Haradrim." "Horsemen could." said Barahir.

--

NOTES:

Aragorn and Barahir's companions were Gandalf and Glorfindel. Rangers don't limit their activities to Eriador, they also act as spies gathering intelligence for the White Council, (specifically Gandalf and Elrond) these missions sometimes take them very far afield, deep into Rhun and Harad.