Chapter 3 – The First Test late SA3428 One week later
The sun dawned bright and cold over the northern city of Annúminnas but still the city bustled with activity. Though it had not snowed yet, the loremasters predicted that it would be only a few days before the first falls of winter arrived. The sky was darkening as clouds from the icy north raced down. The great palace by the southern shore of the lake looked impressive now but when all about was covered in ice it looked even more impressive. On the highest tower that looked over the entire city there stood a man. Tall and grey haired he stood next to the banner of Arnor and sighed as he watched his city work. Elendil, wearing a thick fur lined cloak to keep out the piercing wind looked out over the city he had worked so hard to create. He heard foot steps and turned to see the Arch Duke himself, Antunius Maelius coming up a flight of stairs towards him. The old king smiled at his regent.
"A fine day Maelius." He said and walked down the sleet covered stairs. Rain that had fallen three days before had still not dried and had turned to dirty ice in the time since.
"It is indeed sire. We have the meeting soon." The Archduke said.
"I have not forgotten. I like to come up here and look over it all." Elendil said distantly.
"It has come a long way since we first looked over it has it not?" Maelius said and the king nodded.
"From a hamlet of perhaps five hundred to this." He looked one last time and then looked back to the Archduke. "Come my friend, we had best not be late." The black haired man nodded and followed his king inside.
The palace had two council chambers, one large and one small. The smaller room was used if there were only a few attendants such as now. Elendil walked into the room, his back straight and his eyes piercing. The four men in the room stopped their discussions and bowed as he entered. Elendil nodded and took his seat at the head of the table. The table, a gift from the elven High King was made in a dark wood that was almost black and had been polished to a dazzling shine. Maelius took his seat to the right of the king and none could miss the look of annoyance, anger and jealousy that passed over the other men's faces. Elendil looked around the nobles and inwardly sighed at their politicking and plotting. If he could have had his way he would have gotten rid of almost all of them. Unfortunately the kingdom of Arnor was not so secure or united that he could simply remove the leaders of his provinces.
The man to his left was a case in point. Count Tyrus Thandal of Fornost, his second largest city. He ruled the province largest in area, Forodwaith. The man would have been next in line to be the Archduke but Elendil did not think it was wise to entrust him with such a role. The count was an arrogant man whose grandfather had led the only organised resistance to the take over. Now at fifty seven he was getting older and now he had been denied promotion that was due to him. He was the leader of the non Númenorian faction in the court and he was considered a dangerous man as he clearly had his own agenda. Physically, he had black hair and brown eyes, he was not especially tall or broad but his personality made up for this. A natural spokesman and leader he could rouse men to fight even in the direst circumstances. The man also detested elves even though he had only seen them twice and only talked to Tiraldórë once. Thandal was known to have a cutting temper but he was careful to control it before the king so instead he came across as oily and overbearing.
The man to his left was another non Númenorian and a close friend of the count. At forty six, Count Terinde Fedallais of Dal Mondre was lucky to have such a high position. His father had been exiled for leading a revolt when Terinde was only seven years old. Elendil had been tempted to remove the family from power but politics and the threat of secession had forced him to change his mind. Dal Mondre was the largest city in the eastern provinces of Arnor. He ruled the province of Rhudaur. It was his towns that were being attacked and his troops being forced to fight. Like the Eldar in many ways, Elendil never forgot an insult or treachery against him. Thus, the count had to be extremely careful so as not to rouse the ire of the king. As the province that technically encompassed Imladris, he had frequent contact with elves and did not dislike them like his friend Thandal. Physically he was a typical man of his age, nearly six foot with broad shoulders and great strength. His only disability was a limp where his leg had been broken in a fall from a horse twenty years before. Now he rode into battle as he could not run with the crippled leg and had difficulty walking long distances.
To the right of the Archduke was a man opposite to the two counts in almost every way. At ninety four, he could have been the grandfather of either count but still looked as young as either. He had hair that was almost white, a rarity and blue-green eyes of entrancing light. There were many who said he had elven blood in him somewhere as he was tall but thin and slender like the Eldar. His skill with languages and words made him a keen diplomat. His name was Athaerion Talliar and he was the Duke of Enedwaith and Minhiriath by the sea. The two provinces had been combined because of the fewer people across those lands than the other provinces. Together they were called Cardolan. His capital was at Tharbad and his territory was the boundary between the two kingdoms of men. A keen scholar, he was a friend of Elrond and Imladris as had his father. He was good friends with the Archduke and almost always sided with him when he had been the Baron of Kerost. To Elendil he was one of the most trustworthy of the other men there other than the Archduke. Although he was disliked by the two counts, they did not push him for he had a reputation for anger once his patience was expended.
The last man at the table was Kerinon Sirandel, the new Baron of Kerost. Kerost was the populous land that encompassed Annúminnas and the central regions of Arnor. It was here that the majority of the population was concentrated.
Elendil noticed there was a place free and he looked around and noticed there was one man missing.
"Where is Coridius?" He asked Talliar who shrugged.
"I know not lord king. He was supposed to arrive yesterday but I have seen nothing of him." The voice was soft but not weak and held a hidden strength.
"Have him summoned. This meeting is meant to be for all of my nobles." A guard hurried out and Elendil turned back as the Count of Fornost spoke.
"He is probably with his friend." He said sourly and Elendil sighed.
"That is possible but I do not think that he would shirk his duty for personal means." Elendil said.
"Maybe." The count agreed. There was much talk of the very close friendship between Coridius and the cavalryman Malimar. The two had grown up together and had become almost brothers in the thirty years the two had known each other. Maelius would have added something but the door banged open suddenly and a tall man with a grey cloak and long blonde hair stood in the doorway.
"Ah, Coridius. Come in my friend." Elendil said and the man saluted to the room in general.
"I am sorry I am late lord king but I have tidings that could not be ignored."
"Sit down and tell us the news." Maelius said and the tall man sat down beside his old friend Talliar. Elendil reflected that there was a very visible split. Three against three. Númenorian against non Númenorian and the king was in the middle perpetually. Coridius Nantaris was the son of one of Elendil's faithful. Now in his sixties he was as youthful as he had been in his twenties. Coridius was the Duke of Arthedain which was the province which bordered the elf realm of Lindon. Well known to the High King of the elves and to Lord Elrond, he was the ambassador to the Eldar kingdoms. He was tall and had long blonde hair and grey eyes. A man of intelligence and thought, he was also a competent soldier and strategist. He was friends with Talliar but had never met the Archduke since his elevation, having been in his capital of Elostirion for the past year. He remained standing and spoke.
"I have received word from the rangers of Rhudaur that a new threat has emerged. Just over a week ago they sighted a large army of orcs heading south, following the mountains. They are burning as they go and the local commander had pulled his people back as he has no troops to handle such a number."
"How many?" Elendil asked.
"I have it on reliable sources that it is around ten thousand strong. No cavalry or heavy infantry but they are moving quite swiftly."
"Where will they be now?" Fedallais asked, his dislike of the duke forgotten for a moment. It was after all, his towns being burned.
"They have halted at the crossing of the Hoarwell. Commander Grienden is holding the ford last the messenger heard." Coridius said.
"Where will they head?" Elendil asked. "If they were heading for the capital of Rhudaur then they have gone too far south."
"For Imladris then." Talliar said in shock.
"It seems that way." Coridius said calmly.
"Is there anything we can do?" Talliar said.
"We could send troops but by the time they reached there the battle will be decided. Even a messenger changing horses will not arrive there before ten days has past."
"The elves will have to deal with it themselves." Thandal said with a small note of glee. The two elf friends glared at him and he smiled. "We cannot get there in time and since they appreciate their independence so much we cannot interfere can we?" He asked but even Fedallais did not nod.
"We have an alliance." Elendil said firmly. "I swore to come to their aid if they needed help and like wise. I will not throw it aside. However, I believe Duke Talliar. To send troops would take too long to assemble. What I would do instead is send a contingent led by a man they will listen to. If necessary, he can raise troops from the surrounding area and if not, he will show that we support the high elves."
"I agree." The Archduke said with a nod.
"And I." Fedallais said. Pleased that his people might be sparred and that the elves would be doing the fighting and dying rather than his men.
Finally, even Thandal nodded. "Fine. Who can we send?" He asked.
"I will go lord king." Coridius said. "I am well known there and my land is not threatened by the enemy like Talliar here."
Elendil considered. It could only be one of those two. The Archduke was too important and the three others were not exactly friendly with the Eldar.
"Let it be so. Who will you take?" He asked but already knew the answer.
"The third light cavalry." Coridius said instantly and Thandal chuckled unpleasantly.
Elendil sighed. "Fine. You leave tomorrow; gather only those who can be ready by then. Ride on and do not delay. Our men can only hold them so long."
"I shall not fail you lord king." Coridius said.
"Then fare thee well. We will meet in a month my friends once this mess is sorted out. Be on your way Coridius, we shall meet again soon."
The Duke of Arthedain saluted and left the room. Elendil looked back to the other nobles.
"This meeting is adjourned. Coridius should be back within a month or so."
The nobles stood and saluted and then exited. Elendil looked to the Archduke. "Have we heard anything from the ambassador or the two escorts?"
"Not a word lord king. Doubtless Coridius could find out when he goes there." Elendil nodded.
"See to it Maelius. I thank you. What would I do without you?"
"So, what is the news?" Malimar said as Coridius appeared from a door and came down. They were in a courtyard of the palace and two men moved over to where an alcove kept them apart from the milling crowd.
"An orcish army of ten thousand is moving against Imladris." Coridius said and his friend grimaced. Malimar was a close friend of the duke. A man of no standing, he had risen through the ranks by merit to command the best unit of light cavalry in the Arnorian army. Physically, he was undistinguished, brown hair and eyes pointed him out as a man without the blood of Númenor. He was strong and placed more faith in strength than his friend. For all that he was not stupid, and he knew when his friend's better mental talents could be used. They had met after the young Malimar had been saved by the older man from drowning in a flood of the river near Malimar's home town. The men of the town had tried to dam the river but they had been overcome and only two had survived. With nothing left of his life or kin he accepted a place in the Arnorian army as a subaltern. Over the next twenty years he had become best friends with the noble and through his friendship and his talents he had risen like the tide. The cavalry men laughed.
"So we are riding out to face them? The men will follow you but these odds seem hopeless."
Coridius laughed. "Fortunately not my friend. I am leading a party to Imladris to raise our banner there so to speak."
"So who are you taking?" Malimar asked.
"I thought of taking you but then thought you would only get in the way." He saw his friend's smile and clapped him on the shoulder. "Of course you are coming you fool. How many of your men can be saddled by tomorrow?"
"Two hundred?" Malimar said as a question.
"That will do. We ride hard and fast. As much fodder as you can carry. Remember, we do not stop for rain or snow."
"I will make them ready."
"We ride to inform and observe, not to a pitched battle. Nothing unnecessary, just swords and supplies."
"I will be ready." Malimar said. He had only seen Imladris once. "Can you speak elvish?" He asked.
"Of course. When you get to my rank you have to have some knowledge." He said grandly and his friend hit him on the shoulder.
"I will have the men saddled by dawn." Malimar said and then added a smiled. "Your grace." He said and Coridius sighed as his friend walked away. The duke turned back to his own preparations, he would have to send a letter to his wife and then he would have to have his weapons prepared. He walked along the shores of the lake, past the quay and was climbing the western shore he was hailed. He turned to see the Archduke coming towards him.
He bowed and the man clapped his shoulder. "Greetings Duke Coridius. I have never met you since I was raised to glory save at that meeting and I have come to wish you well."
"I thank you lord duke." Coridius said as he looked into the grey eyes.
"I have also come to bear the best wishes of the king. He is of the opinion that this is a good time to reiterate the alliance between our two races. You can handle that of course."
"Of course lord duke."
"One more thing, the ambassador of Imladris left here a month ago and we have heard no word from him or his escorts. Could you check on it?"
"Of course. I hope nothing has happened to Tiraldórë." He said wistfully.
"You know him?" Maelius said despite himself.
"Indeed lord duke, a good person. An elf who knows the value of diplomacy." The Archduke nodded.
"I wish the same could be said of some of our nobles." He saw the duke smile and clapped his shoulder. "Well, be on your way. The snow will be deep by the time you return so we will await any message you bring us."
Coridius saluted and walked up. He had a journey to plan.
Nine days later
"I hear that Silmarë is enjoying your company Valentai." Gildor said as they walked to the shade of a wooden building during a break in the sword training. Valentai looked at his friend strangely.
"I suppose she is. My visit is purely educational. I still have much to learn."
"Of course, how rash of me to jump to conclusions." The elf said innocently with a large smile. Valentai shook his head confused.
"So who is saying this?" He asked and the black haired elf laughed.
"Everyone in that building sees you go in to her room every night." Valentai sighed.
"Fine, I see that no matter what I say, people are going to believe what they want." He looked at the blunt sword he used for training the young elves he was called upon to try to educate. "Now, I think we have a class to train Gildor. You know that that means."
The elf rubbed his jaw ruefully. "That really hurt when you hit me with the pommel yesterday."
"You moved into it." Valentai said innocently and the elf laughed.
"Remind me to never get in your way."
"I will. Now do you think your pride can stand being humbled again?"
"I will beat you one day." The elf said still rubbing his cheek.
"A long time from now maybe, or not."
Valentai stood but the elf gripped his elbow to make him look to him. "I asked for one reason Valentai. I do not blame you of course because you could not know but be careful around Silmarë." He said with a hint of urgency.
"What do you mean my friend?" Valentai asked and sat down again and looked at the blue eyes of the elf.
"I mean that she is not entirely as she seems." He saw the hero's look and held up his hands. "I have only the greatest respect for her and so do many others. Unfortunately she was somewhat." He paused. "Uncouth towards a very close friend of mine. Just remember that."
"I will take your advice Gildor. Thankyou." Valentai said as he appeared before the twenty students.
Valentai's training had been a success. Reasoning that raw recruits needed to survive battle more than use fancy swordplay he had taught them to fight using their instincts and forget about drill books. The results had been incredible, at least a score of elves who had never carried a sword before could actually use their blades properly without fumbling. Valentai looked along the ranks and saw that they were another group of apprehensive Eldar, all having been too young to fight in any war. He was about to call upon Gildor to give a demonstration when there was a set of running footsteps outside the training ground and an elf staggered through the gate. He fell over himself but got upright and saluted Valentai who stuck the sword in the ground and came over to the elf.
"Can I help you my friend?" He asked.
"I bear an urgent summons from Lord Elrond to attend on him as soon as you can."
"What has happened?" Valentai said as Gildor came running over.
"A messenger from the king of Arnor. The duke of the western province I was told came in person."
"Coridius?" Gildor said with a frown. "He would not come without a good reason." He turned to Valentai. "We had best go now." Valentai nodded.
"Yes." He spoke to the messenger. "Dismiss the troops here." The elf nodded.
"I will meet you there, quarter hour?" Gildor asked and Valentai nodded.
"Hopefully before. I will see you later."
Valentai walked quickly to his room and quickly changed into something more formal and respectable. He walked back down and those who noted his haste wondered what was happening but none dared to try to stand in his way.
Valentai approached the library and saw there was a dozen men there led by a brown haired man. As Valentai approached, Gildor and Vlaimadous came running up. The brown haired man looked up and seemed puzzled by the presence of Valentai with his elven clothing. Then he saw Gildor and saluted. "Lord Gildor. I hope you are well." He said in common.
Gildor looked at him for a second and then laughed. "How could I forget Commander Malimar? I hope you have been looking after the rogue." He said and the man relaxed and came forward.
"We do what we can lord captain." He said warmly.
"Well if you do it then I am certain it is well. Is he upstairs?"
"Yes lord captain. He is on the third floor. Ill news I am afraid."
"Then we had best hear it quickly. I will talk to you later Malimar." Gildor said and ran up the stairs followed by Valentai and Vlaimadous. Valentai looked at his friend. "You knew him?"
"Of course I know him. He is the best friend of the Duke of Arthedain who is a good man. If he is here though it must be ill." Valentai nodded and said no more as he followed the elf up to the entrance to the third floor.
Keldoräth nodded as they approached and he entered with them. Apart from Coridius and Elrond, they were the only people to have arrived. Elrond looked up and smiled. Coridius turned and looked confused at the sight of Valentai and then he smiled as he saw Gildor.
"You." He said and came forward. The elf smiled and they shook hands.
"I hope you have what I asked for." Gildor stated.
"I have not forgotten. Malimar has it. How are you? Still as pretty as ever I see." Coridius said and Gildor drew himself up with mock pride.
"At least it is better than you, you rogue. Get the shirt from the cattle yards?" Valentai shook his head at this strange friendship. Elrond stepped forward.
"You will have time to talk later but unfortunately we have quite a problem. We shall have to wait until the rest of us arrive before we can speak of it. You are well Duke Coridius?" Elrond asked kindly. The man bowed.
"Perfectly lord regent. It is good to see this place again, it has been too long."
"But not long enough." Gildor muttered and Coridius pointedly ignored the jibe.
Vlaimadous smiled at Valentai. "Do not ask. They have been friends for forty years and still they taunt each other." Valentai nodded.
"Duke Coridius, this is Lord Valentai. He is a guest of Imladris." Elrond said and the man nodded slightly.
"I am pleased to meet you. I have not seen you here before, or heard of you." He said.
"I arrived just a few weeks ago. It is a long story but I am not a normal man."
"So I can guess." The duke said absently.
They were interrupted by the door. Keldoräth was leading in the remaining members of the council. Vallarië looked impressive in a silver cloak and tunic. He looked a little more overbearing than normal and Valentai almost smiled as he heard Coridius sigh softly. Elrond came forward.
"My friends, take a seat. Vallarië, take the seat of your father and Coridius sit next to me." He commanded and the people sat down. Vallarië took the seat of the ruler of Eregion and Keldoräth left the room as quietly as possible. Elrond stood.
"For those of you who may not recall, this is Duke Coridius Nantaris of Arnor. He has ridden in person to us with grave news." He held up a message that had been sealed by King Elendil. He opened it and quickly read it.
"It is indeed grave. An army of orcs is marching south. I estimate that they will be upon us in two or three days. The report says ten thousand and I have no reason to doubt this." He let this news sink in. "I will say firstly that we are thankful for the efforts of the king and of you. We had heard reports of the enemy and had dispatched scouts. They are yet to return but this gives us a better idea of the foe we face." He looked to the assembled council. "Your views my friends." He said.
Vallarië stood up and seemed to burn with anger. "First, I thank the duke for informing us of this. This is unthinkable; we might have heard nothing until they were on our doorstep. I have no intention of having Imladris become a battlefield. We must summon troops we have available and fight them before they can reach here." There were nods of agreement.
"How many troops can we summon that quickly?" Vlaimadous asked and Osturin answered.
"I am thinking three thousand by tomorrow noon can be ready. Our best troops."
"Then we must counteract their numbers. Is there a place where they are certain to move through that can be used to our advantage?" Valentai asked. His whole face was alive with the prospect of battle. There was silence and Coridius nodded silently in appreciation. Valentai asked again. "Well, is there?" His voice was more commanding and Gildor nodded slowly.
"To reach here, they will have no choice but to pass through the cliffs of Morinath." He said with a shudder.
This produced a strange reaction. The elves all grimaced and Valentai looked around.
"What is it?" The hero asked and Vallarië spoke angrily.
"You would try that place. Need I remind you Gildor, what happened last time?" His voice was really angry. Angry and sorrowful.
"That was long ago. Can you think of an alternative?" Gildor answered hotly and quite surprised him and others by it.
"Anything would be better than tempting fate by fighting there." Vallarië said imperiously and Elrond intervened.
"I know you lost your brother there Vallarië but Gildor is right. The enemy is upon us and we must risk it."
"Then I shall not lead troops there. Not to the death like Sartorë."
"So be it Vallarië." Elrond said. Valentai was utterly confused by what was happening around him. Coridius looked at him questioningly but Valentai shrugged. Elrond looked at him.
"Valentai. I assume that you know the importance of this task?" Elrond said.
"I do lord regent."
"Then you are in command." There were gasps of surprise from around the table. Vallarië spoke up again.
"You would let him lead a third of our troops when he do not know a thing about him?"
"This will be his test. I know he has fought worse odds before and won. Furthermore, he will not be alone. Vlaimadous and Osturin will be going with him."
"And how do we know if we can trust him?" Vallarië asked.
"You can trust me. In a week I will have a victory for you lord regent." Valentai said grimly. Vallarië sighed and brought his hands together.
"Fine. By his actions shall he be judged." The silver haired elf agreed and Valentai nodded.
"I swear to you Vallarië, son of Celembrimbor that I will bring you a complete victory." Valentai said and the elf looked up. His blue eyes were as bright as Valentai's and then he nodded.
"I believe you. Do not fail. Not for me but for my people."
"And for Sartorë?" Osturin said with his remarkably ability to say the wrong thing.
"Yes, for him as well." Vallarië snapped and leaned back.
"There it is Valentai. Now is the first test. Pass and you shall be judged on success, fail and you shall be counted on such." Elrond said.
"I shall not fail you lord regent." Valentai said and his passive and calm demeanour split so the elves could see who he really was for a moment.
"Go then. May the blessing of the High King be upon you. Vlaimadous, Osturin, you may go." The two elves saluted and strode from the room, following Valentai down to the library.
Coridius sat back and Elrond looked to him. "Go if you wish Duke Coridius. You will be going with them. Know this, I may not Valentai well but I know that when he gives an oath, he does not break them. I have known him for just two weeks and yet I know that he will yet have a role to play in this coming war."
Coridius nodded. "With your permission lord regent." He said and exited from the room.
Elrond looked around the room. "Gildor and Culandil, bring up reserves and supplies. Vallarië, I want you to have my guard summoned. You are in charge of defence here. I will write a message to the High King and have it dispatched when I know the result." The elves saluted and left the table. Keldoräth made sure they were alone and came over quietly.
"You are taking a risk lord regent."
"A calculated risk my friend. Calculated. I have no doubt there will be no repeat of the battle of Morinath." Elrond said and the bodyguard nodded and brought him pen and ink. The regent of Eregion, for the first time in six centuries was being forced to fight a battle near his home and he was glad he did not have to lead them. If Valentai succeeded then it would be final vindication of Elrond's thoughts. If he failed. Elrond shook his head, he would not fail.
"Osturin, I want your cavalry and the vanguard to go ahead and secure the site. I will be with you tomorrow." The elf, not knowing Valentai well had been annoyed that he had been given command. The way the order was given though brooked no argument. The way it was said made it clear there was no argument for the order that had not been thought out and considered.
"It shall be done Lord Valentai." The elf said and hurried away as was possible from the cold gaze of the hero. Valentai's whole character had changed. Instead of amused benevolence and kind consideration there was an iron will and a natural capacity for command. Valentai strode briskly down the stairs and was not looking at Vlaimadous as he spoke.
"What was that about Morinath that I heard?" He said as he reached the ground floor and walked into one of the small study rooms like he and Silmarë had used. The elf ran to catch up.
"In the wars of Eregion, there was an ambush. Vallarië lost his brother Sartorë in the ambush-." The elf began.
"Is it relevant to the current situation?" Valentai interrupted briskly.
"No Lord Valentai." The elf said meekly and bowed his head.
"Stop that." The hero said impatiently. "It is good. I want your troops to be ready to march by dawn. You assemble them; I will deal with the arming and equipping. Any problems are to be referred to me instantly. Understand?"
"Perfectly Lord Valentai." The elf said, entranced.
"Good. Any questions, comments or complaints?" Valentai said.
"What is the plan when we get there?"
"I am working on it. I have an idea but it will take time to develop. Do not worry, it will be long established by the time we reach there. Now go." The elf saluted and ran. Valentai took two books from a shelf, flicked through them. He wrote down a passage from each and was gone from the library.
An hour later he was with Erestor who had the unfortunate job of also being military quartermaster. The regular armoury attendant was in Lindon and obviously could help them. Valentai, dressed in his fighting clothes never stopped talking or pacing as he moved through the storerooms. Erestor had no choice but to swallow his objections and follow the hero as he strode through the buildings. Finally Valentai turned to the elf.
"Is everything I asked for ready?" He demanded.
"Mostly." The elf tried to meet his gaze and failed. "Some things are not simply lying around."
"I would not expect they would be." Valentai said icily. "You are in charge here and yet you tell me you cannot find torches, arrow flights or whetstones. Why are they not available, useful I would have thought?"
"We need more time." The elf pleaded.
"Enough!" Valentai said loudly. "There is no time. You will have these things ready in two hours or I will hold you responsible for any damage caused by their absence." Valentai strode from the warehouse before the elf could protest.
Outside, Coridius waited with Malimar. They watched him come out and froze as they no longer saw a pleasant man but a purposeful and brilliant soldier. He walked between them.
"Duke Coridius, Commander Malimar. Come with me."
They hurried after him. "Lord Valentai, we are coming with you."
"Of course you are. You are leaving in an hour for the pass. You will be there by midnight. Dig in at the mouth of the pass with the horses well back. I will be there two hours after dawn tomorrow."
"It is dark soon." Coridius cautioned.
"Then send men out now to light the path or move now if you are ready. My aides will give you directions."
"Who are you?" The duke asked and the blue eyes turned on the duke.
"I am your commander. Pleasantries can wait for later Duke Coridius. Victory first and then celebration. Go, you will be there before the enemy. Do not fail me." Valentai was gone before the duke could say anymore.
"He is either the mot arrogant or the most brilliant general I have ever seen." Coridius said as he jogged over to where his horse was tethered. His friend looked at him.
"I think that events will show us that it is the second option." Malimar said and the duke nodded thoughtfully.
"I think I can see the enemy approach." Malimar said as he starred into the distance.
Coridius came up beside him and looked through. Finally he turned to Osturin. "Can you see anything captain?" He asked and the elf squinted.
"Yes. It is the enemy and they are perhaps ten miles away." The elf said.
"They could be here in three hours." Coridius said and the elf nodded.
"They will not move on at night though." The elf said. "They fear an ambush and rightly so."
"So they will move at first light." Malimar said in common as that was all he knew. Osturin did not know it and looked to Coridius who translated.
"I agree." The elf said. "Valentai should be here within the hour."
"I hope he is." The duke said softly.
Coridius looked over his position. He had had his troops barricade the outer edges of the pass but had not blocked the entrance as it was a clear sign to the enemy of his intent. His troops had dug in well and now slept while they could. It was just an hour after dusk but already the land was dark and cold, no fires were allowed to give away their position so the troops shivered in the cold. The elves were fortunate in that they felt the cold less then men but even for them this night before battle was cold. The pass was a hundred yards wide and at least a half mile long. The sides were quite impassable, jagged rock and bare stone. It was here that a company of some of the best elven troops had been caught and slain. The older brother of Vallarië was also slain here as so many others. There were several elves in the force already who had led the relief efforts to find any survivors. There had been none and the elves had been cautious about entering it again. Coridius walked over his lines again, making sure there was a reserve to counter any surprise assault. The duke sat down and starred out over the dark canyon. He was trying to think of what Valentai could be planning. He would have to lure the enemy into a false sense of security and then cut them off. He wondered how he was planning to do this when he heard something. A scrape of metal in the dark canyon. He was alone, sitting ahead of his lines and he jumped down softly and drew his sword, long and sharp and held it before him. He heard it again and would have shouted for light and alarm when he heard words on the wind. There was the clash of steel and the shout of orders as though on the cusp of hearing. Coridius wondered where it was coming from but then he heard it again. The voices were shouting to form to resist the charge. The only sentence he heard clearly was 'For the glory of Eregion, stand your ground!' Coridius shook his head and the voices disappeared, he looked around but heard only the wind in the trees. He shook his head and sheathed his sword. He climbed back and saluted the guard. He was just wondering if he had fallen asleep when an elf ran over to him.
"Lord Nantaris, I have a summons from Lord Valentai." Coridius winced at his second name which he never used.
"Tell him I will be with him soon." He said, his voice still distant. The elf ran off and Coridius followed as if in a daze. Had he really seen, just for a moment, a circle of golden armoured troops fighting? He brushed it aside and moved off to where Valentai would be approaching. It took only a few minutes to find the hero.
"Ah, Coridius. Good work here. This half company is in position so your men can leave and join Vlaimadous and Osturin."
"What is your plan?"
"To destroy the enemy." Valentai said dryly. "Specifically, lure them in here and then hit them with the one and a half companies under Vlaimadous and the cavalry. While that is happening, our archers will fire into them. Classic ambush my friend."
"How many troops in total?"
"Well, we have two thousand six hundred infantry, four hundred archers, mostly sylvan and the cavalry, three hundred all together. It will do."
"You are not leaving many to guard the pass."
"I will have seven hundred and fifty, enough to guard a hundred yards. Besides we shall have the advantage of surprise."
"So I see. Where is the rest of the army?"
"Go back a mile and take the path through the trees, lead the horses. You are in command if Vlaimadous falls. Understand?"
"I am no elf and besides-" Coridius started.
"You are a duke and they are commanders and captains. You outrank them. The signal will be three flaming arrows. I do not have to tell you how to use cavalry do I?"
"No Lord Valentai."
"Very well then. Get some sleep and stay hidden." The duke nodded and soon the cavalry was being lead through the trees to where they would hide out of sight.
Valentai smiled, he regretted being so forceful but soldiers did not follow suggestions, they followed firm leadership and decisiveness. He considered sleeping but knew it was better if he was up and encouraging and talking to his troops. It was they after all, that would decide this fight.
The sun crested over the mist shrouded field as rain from two days before warmed in the sun. The battlefield was shrouded in a thick blanket of white mist which hid everything except the tallest trees on the plain. Valentai showed no hesitation as he walked along the space between the trenches. With the mist there was no chance of being seen and so he called to his soldiers to make ready to fight. He had sylvan elves that ran back reports of the enemy to him. As the sun became visible over the tops of the trees an elf ran up to him.
"My captain's compliments Lord Valentai and the enemy is moving through the pass."
"You are certain? Utterly certain?" The elf nodded.
"Their lead troops have entered the pass and their rearward troops are moving out they will be here imminently."
"Excellent, tell your friends to get out of their quickly." The green elf ran off again into the mist and returned a few seconds later with a half dozen of his comrades who had already been withdrawing. Valentai nodded and mounted the left or south-western embankment that had been dug. He turned to Osturin who had come up.
"The enemy is upon us. I will trouble you to have a hundred archers stop their front rank at the right moment. The rest are to file up to the cliff walls." It was said with a firm calm tone.
"It will be done Lord Valentai." The elf said and set about ordering forward the archers.
Valentai could hear the tramp of feet and the guttural voices of the enemy as the pressed through with terrible swiftness. The mist was rising but in the gorge, the enemy was still oblivious of what faced them. Valentai drew his sword and held the beautiful blade up to the light of the sun. The elves around watched in awe as the blade seemed to glow in the sun. The enemy foot steps grew nearer and suddenly, a dozen orcs appeared. They were skirmishers and they starred at the ranks of elves. Valentai swept his sword down and a score of sharpshooters shot down everyone of the enemy who had come through. Valentai nodded to Osturin who gestured to the two elves leading the archer detachments and they ran forward to begin the attack. Valentai turned to the signallers.
"Now my friends." The signallers fired the three flaming arrows high into the air so they slowly descended. Valentai heard a cheer and then he looked back as the enemy came through the pass mouth. They first saw their skirmishers dead and then they saw the ranks of armoured elven infantry and they stopped. There were bellows and curses as those behind pressed forward and pushed the orcs out into the sights of the archers. Valentai saw their confusion and smiled.
"Fire!" He shouted and a hundred arrows sliced into the mass before them. Every shot killed a foe but it was just a few leaves in a forest and the enemy roared and prepared to charge.
Valentai leapt down onto the road and raised his sword. "Elves of Eregion! With me!" There was a thunderous roar and the elves charged down from the embankments even as the enemy was trying to understand what happened. Osturin watched the charge and called to his archers. "Fire!" The arrows flew over the heads of their own infantry and struck home n the mass of enemy. He turned to them. "To the cliff walls!" He cried and the elves ran up to help their comrades. The elf captain ran with them.
The elves, their bronze coloured armour and long swords bright as they charged forward. The enemy was hit by a second volley of arrows and as they tried to form a shield wall more enemy appeared. This time above them. Osturin gave the order and hundreds of arrows struck the orcs in the front rank from behind. "Fire at will!" He cried and thousands of arrows were fired down in just a few minutes. The trapped enemy tried to pull back but the unrelenting rain of fire was causing massive losses. The enemy tried to respond but for every black fletched arrow fired, a score answered and the foe fell. Those behind started to look around.
Valentai cursed as an ill-aimed elven arrow missed him by a foot. He held his sword two-handed as he always did and leapt forward. An orc swung a brutal axe at him but he ducked and knocked the orc down. He stepped back and the sword parried a sword cut and ran a foe through. He was turning as another sword thrust missed and the blade hacked down with dreadful force to slice a foul orc down. He drew the razor-sharp blade back to cut open a throat and sliced again. His movements were perfect and he never allowed the enemy to get to his side or rear and the silver blade hacked and stabbed and killed. The elves now charged into the gap he had made and their warcries were fierce. The Eldar wore blue cloaks, bronze coloured body armour in interlocking flexible plates and high crested helmets. They carried swords with three foot blades and nine foot long spears. The spears could be used as glaives to slice or as spears to stab. Now the enemy was trying to retreat but they had no where to go from the swords and arrows. Valentai saw a chieftain come at him and the parried the wild cuts and with a graceful upward vertical swing he sliced the foe's throat open. The blade was still spinning though and cut through the spine of an orc threatening an elf to his left.
The orcs had only one way to flee and now, the rearward troops turned to flee but it was too late, doom had come to them.
Coridius rose in his saddle as he saw the fiery trails of the arrows flying into the air. A second later he heard the clash of steel and knew his time was now. He turned and drew his sword and held it into the air. On foot, Vlaimadous saluted him and the duke kicked his horse into a canter. He rode at the head of the elven cavalry and Malimar led his beloved third light cavalry regiment. He swept his sword down and the elves and men cheered and burst from the trees that had concealed them and rode down the hill across just two hundred and fifty yards of open space. Vlaimadous stood in front of his troops and raised his weapon. He carried a spear but this one was sharpened at both ends and provided an unusual method of fighting with a two bladed weapon.
"On this ground, many fell. Avenge them!" He cried to the sky and the elves roared their approval and charged down the hill. The orcs trying to pull back stopped as they saw the hill filled with screaming riders and the ranks of Eldar infantry coming for them. Some of them tried to form a line but most fled, trying to escape. Two score of orc archers fired at the charging host but few fell to the panicked shots as the Eldar and human soldiers drew closer.
Coridius led his troops for the main line of the enemy while Malimar flanked them to cut off the retreat. The riders that followed him were few compared with those before them but they had downhill momentum, speed and fear on their side. It had taken the riders just a minute to cover the distance and not they neared the enemy stepped back. There was few infantry that could have stood their ground in the face of the deadly charge and these orcs had not been ready for a pitched battle. Coridius lowered his long sword, a gift from his father who had fought in the ill-fated adventure to capture the darklord two centuries before. He let the horse guide itself and then the line of riders collided. The duke's horse, battle trained and brave simply ran over three enemies before it even slowed. The panicked enemy milled around him and the swept the sword down. The horse reared up and lashed out, never making itself a target as the bright sword hacked down his foes. The cavalry had smashed into he enemy and the enemy was on the verge of flight when the vengeful elvish infantry crashed in with as much force as the horse riders. The orcs fled from the bright steel and the grim faces of the Eldar. Vlaimadous held up his banner to the troops to motion them to press into the other mouth of the pass. The orcs were panicked now, all order gone and were even trying to climb the walls of the canyon despite being shot down by the archers.
Coridius yelled at the elvish cavalry to follow him as he charged into the enemy. Now horse and foot fought side by side as they drove into the mass of the enemy.
Malimar's cavalry had out flanked the enemy infantry and now came upon those who tried to flee with great vengeance. As they rode forward, he held his blade to the light. It was a curved sabre used for cutting not stabbing and the curved steel glinted in the light as the enemy came into view. He led the best parts of the best regiment of light cavalry in the army, handpicked men of skill and courage and now they shouted their war cries as the terrified enemy tried to flee. The cavalry was scattered wide, in two lines to make sure not one enemy survived.
The orcs tried to turn but it was far too late. Scattered infantry was easy meat for the horsemen whose curved sword sliced down and came up dripping with the black blood of the enemy. The swirling mass of horsemen chose targets, rode past and then back swung into defenceless faces and throats. Soon the enemy, caught and trapped were slaughtered by the score. Malimar rode past the first enemy, holding the blade out straight as the enemy was torn to the ground. He sliced at an orc coming at him with a spear and then his horse reared and its hooves brought down an enemy and trampled it. The orcs were running, milling and his riders threw spears and axes into the mob and then closed in. In seconds it was over, the enemy piled in a great heap. Coridius looked around and saw three riderless horses and two dismounted riders. He shouted at them.
"Mount up, commander, stay with the wounded and kill the enemy." He said and rode to where he could hear cheering. Elvish cheering.
Valentai continued to fight, not aware of what else was around him but letting reflexes, instinct and skill guide him. He seemed to be moving at almost double speed while his terrified foes seemed to be moving on jerky strings. It seemed a simple matter to step back from a axe cut and slice down and then seize behind the head of a spear and pull it's bearer onto his blade. The elves cheered as they fought beside him for they knew a true warrior was in their midst. He heard a warcry and the orcs were driven over their own dead and onto the blades of the Eldar. Valentai saw an elf being beaten down and he turned his body fully around so the blade came up hard and fast to cut the throat of the enemy open. He helped the Eldar warrior up and went back to the fight. There was a crush of movement ahead and suddenly a rider with a long shining sword was among the enemy. Valentai saluted the man and smiled.
"Duke Coridius, a fine day?"
"Fair indeed." He said as he hacked down again.
An orc drove his spear into the horse which had become tangled in the press of enemy so it screamed and fell. Coridius leapt clear and sprawled on the ground. The orc snatched an axe from the ground and made to bring it down. As it was whistling down a bright blade stopped it dead and a heavy fist smacked into its face. As it reeled the orc fell to a sword cut to the neck. Valentai offered his hand to the duke who took it and looked around as the last enemy was being hewn down. A few had formed a rough circle, ironically near where Vallarië's brother had died so long ago. Osturin however directed a hundred bows at the target and the thinned out enemy was swiftly overcome by blades and anger.
Valentai slew a last orc and kicked the blade free. He looked up to Vlaimadous spearing his last foe and whirling his blade free. The elf walked over to Valentai who smiled at him.
"Well done captain. See to the last resistance, I will pull the troops back and get them organised." He smiled. "I guess we won then."
The elf starred at him in amazement and Valentai laughed.
"My tally was thirty one. Go and see to the enemy. I will see you soon." The elf shook his head and walked off to see his troops.
"With you permission Lord Valentai. I will see how Malimar and his men are." Coridius said.
"Go ahead my friend. I will see you again."
Valentai wiped the bloody sword clean on his cloak and sheathed the burnished blade. The elves and men were cheering, cheering him as well as their victory and he nodded and walked back. The elves moved aside and he walked through to a rough stone building which may have once been a toll house. It was small but it would do the job.
As noon approached, the last enemy was slain and the wounded and slain elves were pulled from the carpet of the enemy dead. One could walk from one end of the pass the other and not touch stone once, so many bodies lay in the narrow area. Now the elves set aside their weapons and piled the enemy on carts they had brought from Imladris and carried the grim cargo to outside the pass and stacked them high in a mound. Valentai breathed out as he finished his victory dispatch and sealed it. It was factual but the facts were gloating in themselves. A hastily assembled force, outnumbered three to one had crushed the enemy and not one had survived. Losses had been light and it was only noon. Valentai sealed the note and gave it to one of the cavalry of Imladris who rode off with an escort to Lord Elrond. Valentai stood and walked outside of the building, it was a clear day so the wounded were being treated outside. Valentai assumed that there had to be several areas such as this because there was surely too few wounded here to constitute a victory like this. Vlaimadous saw his imperious frame and walked up to meet him. Valentai smiled at the elf. They saluted each other and the elf spoke with shock in his voice.
"I have done a preliminary on the casualties." He paused
"And?" Valentai said, not with force but gently like he had been before he had taken command.
"I think we have lost only about thirty troops dead and the same injured." He looked at the hero before him. "It is a miracle." He said in awe.
Valentai looked at him. "Not if you are one of them." He said softly. Then he looked up. "You are right my friend, a great victory, those losses are regrettable but acceptable. I am thankful that you followed me." Valentai said and the elf smiled.
"It is nothing." He said.
Valentai continued on. "I am sorry my friend if I have been slightly overbearing in the last day or so. If I am in command I must be decisive and show no weakness." The elf looked at him keenly and then nodded.
"No apology necessary Lord Valentai. I am glad that you were here."
"So am I my friend." Valentai said and walked down to the wounded. Vlaimadous could only watch as he talked with each of them and helped the two surgeons with their work. He smiled and patted each on the shoulder and listened to what each elf or man had to say. Vlaimadous heard footsteps and saw Osturin walk up beside him.
"Today I saw a stranger I have only met two weeks ago lead this army like he has been its chief for millennia." Osturin said, momentarily forgetting his natural dislike of his fellow captain.
"I know and I believe that all the strange tales that he has told. I think the regent has proved his far sight again."
The two elves nodded in unison as the golden haired soldier walked down to where the bodies of those elves and men who had fallen were laid out.
Valentai walked over to Coridius who smiled at him. The duke looked at a slip of paper. "Thirty one dead and sixty four wounded. Four men killed and eight injured." He looked up from the paper he was reading. "We shall take them back and bury them in Imladris I suppose."
"Yes, we had better do that. Have the enemy been collected?"
"Mostly, we have a pile at either end. When the pass is cleared we will burn them."
"Then we can be back by dawn tomorrow." He looked at the duke. "You hurt?"
"Thanks to you, no. Thank you." He said genuinely.
"It is nothing. Someday you may have to repay the favour."
The duke nodded and Valentai ordered the bodies lit.
The smoke and flames formed a pillar from which heat and ash radiated. The elves marched from the field of victory, tired but happy. The cavalry had ridden ahead and Valentai had been tempted to go with them but knew his place was with the infantry. As Valentai walked through the fading light of the setting sun the slender figure of Vlaimadous appeared beside him. They walked in silence for a moment before the elf spoke, sounding awfully loud in the silent night.
"Coridius was telling me a strange thing last night after he came over. He told me that he swore he heard and even saw the previous battle here being played out. Strange yes?"
Valentai did not answer for a moment. "But not unknown." He said almost to himself. "Do you believe him?" He asked in a normal tone.
"I would have thought that he had fallen asleep and his mind imagined those scenes. However, he was insistent he had seen their leader. The elf he described was Vallarië's brother down to a hair and even what he wore when we found his body."
"You lead the relief party?" Valentai asked.
"Yes. A grim sight."
"Then I would say he is right. If something happens with enough emotion and passion then it can sometimes become tied to the place where it occurs. I have seen it before, an unexplained phenomenon. Tiraldórë was telling me he saw it before at Lake Eventide when he last rode here."
Vlaimadous nodded. It was an intriguing thought indeed. It carried him through the darkness as they marched on.
Lord Elrond, the regent of Eregion sat at his table. To Keldoräth, a few yards away, it seemed as though a great tension had been relaxed from the proud half-elf lord. The bodyguard smiled to himself at the great relief that Lord Elrond had shown when Valentai's message had arrived. Then Osturin and Coridius had arrived and they had spoken in the highest terms of Valentai's generalship and leadership. The regent was writing when the door behind Keldoräth was knocked on. The elf climbed the three stairs and opened it. He smiled at the tired faces of Valentai and Vlaimadous standing there. He saluted them both.
"Come in my friends." He turned to Elrond. "Lord regent, Lords Valentai and Vlaimadous."
Elrond looked up and nodded. "Very good Keldoräth. Summon Coridius to me, he should be expecting it."
"Of course lord regent." He said and walked from the room.
"Come in my friends." Elrond said and looked at the two dirty and bloodstained soldiers before him. "You have both been placed in the highest regard by those who fought with you. Valentai, all I can say is that I am pleased at the result of this battle. I will admit I was relieved when I received your message."
"I thank you for your praise Lord Elrond but it should be directed to my troops and not to me. Soldiers decide whether a plan works or not. I was just happy to have given them leadership."
"And you lead from the front Valentai. To win such a victory so lightly is deserving of merit."
"As you say Lord Elrond." Valentai said. Elrond smiled slightly and looked to Vlaimadous.
"And you captain I have heard the highest praise for also. This is an important victory because it sends a warning to those who oppose us and also to our own people that we can and will fight and defeat the foe. It has also cemented the alliance between our two races. Coridius will be up shortly and in the presence of the council he will sign a ratification of that treaty."
"I am glad to hear that. What now?" The elf captain asked.
"Tiraldórë is returning to Annúminnas and I will be going to Lindon sometime this year to see the High King."
Valentai nodded. "The orcs were of fairly bad quality. They were not expecting a battle it seems."
"And what was their purpose? Did they believe they could attack us without us knowing? I am doubling the distance from which the scouts are placed to make sure that this does not happen again."
"A wise move. What are your thoughts on-" Valentai began but was interrupted by the door opening to admit Vallarië, Keldoräth and Coridius. The three moved down the stairs and stood around the table.
"Greetings my friends. Keldoräth, I will trouble you for some ink and quills." The bodyguard nodded and went to a desk and produced the writing materials and then a closely written paper, written in both common and Sindarin. Coridius looked it over carefully and then nodded.
"As Duke of Arthedain and representative of King Elendil, I formally renew the treaty of alliance between our two races."
Elrond nodded and offered the pen to Vallarië as his representative and the elf nodded and signed the paper. Elrond looked it over and bowed to Coridius.
"As we showed yesterday, this alliance can bring us success together. It is a single example of the benefits of such a treaty. I hope it never need be tested in war again."
"A request not likely to be granted whilst I live lord regent." Coridius said sadly and Elrond nodded. Vallarië muttered something but it was ignored.
"Return to your king, Duke Coridius and tell him that if such a threat appears again then we will do anything we can to aid him in return. Tiraldórë will be going with you; I know you two are friends." Elrond said.
"Yes, I have not seen him for nigh on five years though. I am in the city so little that I am always missing his coming."
"Then get reacquainted and you leave tomorrow. Ride with honour Duke Coridius and hold your head high for you won a great victory."
"Lord regent." The man bowed and walked from the room. Elrond looked at his other guests.
"Go and rest Lord Valentai, Captain Vlaimadous, you have earned it. Vallarië, stay if you will." The three nodded and obeyed. Valentai walked from the room and back to his quarters.
Elrond looked at the son of Celembrimbor. "Do you believe me now?" He asked bluntly and Vallarië straightened.
"I would not go against you on such matters. I was merely pointing out the risks. He is good, yes but would he not be better in the company of the humans?" Vallarië asked.
"That is his choice and not mine. He may be younger that either of us but even so he is older than any man by many times. It is his choice, and that of the High King."
"At least now my brother is avenged. To win a battle on that ground vindicates it, a little." The elf said and Elrond nodded.
"You brother was a good person. Do not grieve over what you could have done. You were with your father, you could have done nothing."
"That does not make it any better." Vallarië said softly and walked to the door. As he reached it though he turned. "I misjudged Valentai." He stated and left the room. Elrond knew that was as close to an admission of error as he would ever get.
By dusk, Duke Coridius was rested and was dressed in his formal cloak for the burial ceremony. He and Malimar walked through the streets of the settlement, following the guidance of an elvish soldier who had fought with them the day before. Coridius walked over the long stone bridge and looked around at the place which had not changed at all in the thirty years he had been coming here. He supposed that it had not really changed for centuries for there was no need to change it. Following the guide past forges and warehouses they walked past many houses and gardens which seemed almost unnatural in the chill of the new year. Finally they came to a depression in the ground which led down to where the north-eastern side of the valley rose sheer above them. They had walked for nearly a mile and everywhere had been filled with activity and life. The duke approached what looked like a cemetery of a different kind to the ones he normally saw. The elf turned to him.
"Lord duke, this is the place. Lord Gildor and Lord Vallarië are inside already. I must return."
"Thank you my friend." He said and waved Malimar through. In front of him was a gate of stone which had a five foot high stone wall around it. The gate was open and the two men went inside. Before them was a very unusual grey stone structure. It stood ten foot high and at least sixty feet long. The building had its door open and the sound of voices could be heard inside. Coridius looked again at the strange structures, twenty foot wide and with sloping tiled roofs. He shrugged and walked in.
Inside was not what he had expected. He expected a dark and airless crypt like building but instead it was a wide passage with light streaming in from windows near the apex of the room. The sun was coming in from the setting sun in the west and illuminated the room better than the oil lamps and torches could. Coridius looked at the walls and gasped in surprise. Except for the windows and the apex of the roof, the entire lengths of the walls were covered in holders. Like a wine cellar in his capital, the walls were partitioned into small cubes of four inches by four inches. It was reinforced by metal plates which held them steady. The cubes were set into the walls and were open only on one face. Coridius looked around in amazement and then saw many of them were full. He walked over to one and saw it was a small container like an urn used to store ashes after cremation. Then it struck him, it was the tomb of the Eldar. Instead of their bodies, their ashes were stored here. He heard footsteps and saw Gildor coming across to him. The elf was grim faced but spoke lightly enough.
"They are of course empty. There is one here for ever elf who has died in battle since the start of the wars of Eregion. All those who lived here of course. All their names are recorded as well as where they fell so they shall not be forgotten. There are seven thousand five hundred and sixty places in here. Would you like to know how many are filled?" The elf said, his tone bleak.
"Yes." Coridius said softly.
"Five thousand six hundred and eight. That is those elves who have lived in Imladris at one time and who have fallen."
"I never realised." Coridius said softly.
"It is the price we must pay." The elf said sadly.
"I feel honoured that you will let my men lie here, even in spirit."
The elf nodded. "It is a symbol of how our two races are joined in death as well as in life. We thank you for fighting beside us and for showing respect."
"For all your kind has done, we cannot repay but we shall try. May this be the start of a better relationship."
The elf smiled. "We have a period of darkness before us but after that I hope that it may be the start of a new age."
The duke smiled and walked out into the last rays of sun light and walked back along the path. They walked the mile across the darkening ground swiftly so that soon they had once again crossed the long bridge. Coridius turned to the elf who seemed to have been enlivened again by the clean air.
"I have the gift." He said with a smile.
"I should hope so. I have my own gift for your wife."
"I have it here." He said.
"Well hand it over. I do not have all day."
The duke complied and walked to his horse which was saddled and ready for him. He reached into a saddlebag and lifted out a bottle of dark green glass and handed it to the elf. The black haired elf examined it critically and uncorked it. He sniffed it and smiled.
"The best, thank you my friend."
"You think I would give you an inferior gift?" The duke asked mockingly. Gildor smiled and then waved at a figure behind Coridius' back.
"Lord Valentai. Come and talk." Coridius turned to see the grinning hero walking down towards him. This time he was wearing a blue and white silk tunic and softer boots. On any other man it would have been comical but on him it was as though he was meant to wear it. He came over and clapped the elf and man on the shoulder.
"Good evening my friends. Coridius, I see you are off."
"I am indeed. Tiraldórë is going with me of course. We shall be off when Lord Elrond has given his instructions to the ambassador."
"Well good luck. We shall meet again I am sure, sooner rather than later I fear."
"I will see you later you rogue. Look after the ambassador, this time there will be no hero to save him." Gildor said and made to turn away.
"If you have forgotten my friend, you owe me something do you not?" Coridius asked and the elf made a great show of pretending to remember.
"How forgetful of me." He said lightly. "Here you are my friend." Gildor said and drew out a small bag of leather which fitted into his palm. The man took it and smiled.
"The best quality as well. Thank you my friend." He said and reached into his bag and drew out a small gem. It was a two caret ruby and was worth at least three gold pieces.
"A fair exchange?" sounded a voice behind them and the two friends turned to see Tiraldórë with a packet of papers. Coridius smiled at the new arrival.
"Is no robbery." The duke finished the quote. "How are you old trickster?"
The elf drew himself up with mock anger. "Do not let the fact that I am eighteen hundred years older than you change your feelings of me."
"I am sorry." The duke said and held up his hand with a smile.
"Now if you do not mind, I would like to leave before next week. Lord Gildor, Lord Valentai, I will see you in few months." The elf said and mounted his horse. Gildor shook his head and turned away. Valentai could only smile.
"What did he give you?" Valentai asked and the elf smiled.
"He has some of the best wine makers in the world. He brings me a bottle every time he comes here."
"Strange." Valentai said and the elf laughed.
"It is more of a joke than anything else. He is a good man."
"He is indeed. Why do you call him a rogue?"
"I first met him when he came here the first time. It was the thaw in the mountains and he was walking his horse across the flowing river. He fell into a hole and was swept down river. Fortunately he survived and so did the horse. He was washed up on shore like a shipwreck survivor."
Valentai nodded politely. "I see. What now?"
"They return to Annúminnas. We watch for the return of the enemy and for news from the south." He looked at the hero. "I heard you got a fair tally."
Valentai nodded. "Thirty one in the brief battle."
"I see that you really are good with a sword."
"You thought I was only pretending? No my friend, I can fight, I have no choice."
The elf nodded. "I will see you tomorrow."
Valentai stared at the retreating horsemen as they rode into the night and turned back to the lights of Imladris. It was a cold winter's night and the sun shone upon a settlement returned to peace.
** Author's Notes – The First Battle **
The best chapter so far in my opinion. The brief battle is in here for three reasons. Firstly it gives some action to this part of the story. Secondly, it shows Valentai's military skill. Lastly it shows the alliance between men and elves. It is a very important theme later on of course. This chapter also introduces the Arnorian nobles who are mostly a disreputable group. Of course Coridius and Maelius stand out as they should. Yet another reference from the war of Eregion, this ambush happened in the first war there and was significant in that it was the start of the war in earnest. This is a parallel to what happens now. I do not know if Celembrimbor had children and I do not much care, the idea is appealing so it has been used. So now Coridius Nantaris is returning to Annúminnas, what happens there is anybody's guess. I try to inject my characters with character as it were and I hope I succeed. Cue dramatic scene!
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