THE HALADIN

by Archaic Scribe

Chapter V
THE OATH-STONE

"Our time dwindles," Haldad continued after a lengthy pause. His eyes unmasked the suffering he felt in his heart, bringing the intended effect of guilt from most of the other leaders.

Anticipating further necessity to Lord Tunni's ego, he pressed onward with his address, "The majority of us are not warlords, or even warriors, with the exception of Lord Tunni's powerful regiment."

Lord Tunni bestowed a rare, respectful bow to Haldad, acknowledging his statement and visibly stood more upright at his compliment, like a cobra uncoiling and poised tall for admiration before he strikes. A few moments ago, an armed Tunni would have defiled the sanctity of their meeting grounds, for surely the reputation of his rash temper would have instigated bloodshed.

"There can be hope in this fact, my Lord Mulco, for our pride, honor and defense against the common enemy who set forth from the cold, dark lands of the north. I say, it was this same enemy," Haldad said, gaining momentum, "that my sources recently told me escaped the leaguer of the very same elven lord you ask us to beg safety of, is that not so?"

Mulco nodded reluctantly at the slight censure and cast his eyes down momentarily, before meeting the hard edge in Haldad's smoldering eyes.

"There is no shame in debating your suggestion, my respected host, Mulco," Haldad said kindly before he continued.

"You must certainly know well, as chieftains and as men," he added, invoking the highest goading technique of suggesting the slightest hint of cowardice which he knew could not be denied, "That we must fight to protect the land of our gods, for our way of life, and those who have entrusted their care to us! A Godi, my dear friends, is not only meant to lead the people in veneration to the gods and maintain the temples - we have a responsibility and must protect those who have entrusted us with their care, be it spiritual or physical!" Haldad exclaimed loudly over mingled cries of agreement.

The crowd was beginning to focus on his reason and throw their encouragement into the throng of cheers, knowing obstaining would show that they accepted the highest insult of them being a weak man.

"We have squandered precious time sparring with words amongst ourselves and gathering all our people has yet to take place. Unite and move to action soon, or we shall have nothing left worth saving! Rise up to your duty now, my brothers, and defend that which determines your survival, and those who are in your care!"

Knowing this was a pinnacle moment, Haldad focused all his passion and argument into his final statement, which he adeptly knew would either make or break him. The mass of leaders were beginning to turn into one voice of clamored excitement, as Haldad's voice raised above the crowd, beckoning them to listen. Tunni casually stood nearby, his arms folded across his broad chest and his face void of any sign of emotion as Haldad acutely sized him up for a moment. He knew that Lord Tunni's support was essential in this defense, or his words would have little meaning, and the people who were entrusted to their care would be slaughtered in what should be a safe haven.

"We must fortify ourselves in a stockade and heed the advice and direction Lord Tunni would give us!"

The crowd exploded into a frenzy of approval as Tunni allowed a noticeable smirk of pleasure to extent across his face. The anticipation of battle and public acknowledgement of his skills mentioned in Haldad's passionate speech to all the kindred, his peers, gave Lord Tunni a twisted form of optimism. Their may still be hope for him to become the son-in-law he should have been the first choice for during the feast at Bryeth, and with Bryeth now out of the way, Tunni reasoned, he should be the natural choice.

There was acquiescence, and when this mess with the Orcs was successfully completed, he envisioned himself riding victorious upon his war-horse after slaughtering the enemy. Haleth would have little choice but to admit his prowess and concede his abilities.

Only the scattered peoples of Canute remained silent, neither joining nor disagreeing with the prospect Haldad suggested. Their voice would be clearly heard only when the formal vow was sworn upon the Oath-stone.

Canute closed his eyes, and lifted his face to the heavens for a moment as stars twinkled against the black curtain of night, as a dark depression overcame his features and the energy of oncoming change pulsated through the air.

Tunni, having mentally elevated himself as the natural choice of a central leader, prepared to accept the leadership of the scattered peoples who must now join under his banner. The only thing he lacked, was the heritage Godi Haldad possessed and as the oath meetings began to change, he reasoned that such a thing could be easily overlooked.

As the clamor of the crowd waned, Haldad spoke once again, with a calmer voice, reiterating what he stated previously, "We must build a stockade and prepare to defend ourselves in our own refuge at the land between the rivers near this very city where Lord Tunni can strategically plan the ambush of these destructive, foul creatures."

Tunni's confident smile quickly turned to a disturbing frown. He knew Haldad was right and that is exactly the way Tunni planned to begin his new Lordship, but Haldad's statement presented an immediate threat to his designs on being the undisputed leader of all the peoples. Tunni's anxiety level began to steadily climb as he became fretful over the idea of the people flocking to Haldad more so than they had just done.

"My honorable and respectable Lords," Lord Canute began with an exasperated, defeated sigh. "Think you this is the right path? Lord Tunni's small force will not be enough to defeat these foul barbarians in an ambush, let alone a formidable battle. We should disappear and let the gods shield us with the mountains and forests they generously provide for us from this tainted, black plague. We need only distance ourselves from the Dwarf-road."

Canute's pleas were heard and the crowd fell silent. Stunned, Tunni stood silently, as Lord Canute began to speak in his turn.

"No, my Lord Canute," Haldad said softly, "It is time we fought and stopped these diseased creatures from making any further trouble on man. The gods have willed that our time is now to make a stand against this filth who indeed defile the sacred fields Frey and Freya hold dear."

"You know well what I mean, my best of kin," Haldad added respectfully. "If the gods of harvest and planting require the blood of my people and I to soak the earth to quench the its thirst for anything less than traditional sacrifice, then it shall be so. But hear me, my most respected brother," Haldad repeated, "We must put an end to these creatures who destroy our god's gifts and the sustenance they provide us."

Canute bowed his head with grevious resignation, seeing a glimmer of his point, yet unwilling to completely agree. His visions of the future had come upon him uninvited, and he was torn between preserving their people and following the will of the higher powers.

Alas, he acknowledged himself as human, giving into the wonder of why Haldad, as gifted a seer as himself, was not treated to these visions showing the bloodlust and utter defeat of their peopleso many innocent lives lost, he thought gravely, and what of their people after they starved to death at the hands of the Orcs and all the great clan leaders lay dead, their blood sacrifice given unwillingly, and in violence, at the will of another? Would Haldad and his family survive, Canute wondered, his thoughts careening and disappearing quickly into obliviation.

"Let us swear our oaths then, upon the Law Stone," Tunni called out resolutely, not wanting any further debate to cancel his glorious plans of death and victory.

Haldar watched his father carefully, clearly aware of Haldad's actions and how he carried himself, acutely thinking of the situations he may someday have to manipulate as a clan leader. His father and the other clan leaders approached the stones in the middle of the grove as Haldar yearned for the strength his sister's bond would give him, wishing Haleth was there to witness the debate. He still held onto a vain hope that she could work her powers of persuasion on Canute to join with them. Alas, it was not their custom to allow females into the sacred councils, no matter if they were highborn or not and so, any attempt to convince Canute would be in vain. If the oaths were swore now, it would be the only opportunity for any of the leaders to either join forces, or return to their homesteads.

Canute would not swear his oath and Haldar knew this just as well as his father knew it. It simply was not Canute's way, nor the way of the exotic nomadic tribes that gave to him their allegiance. What of the necessity of a unanimous decision? Haldar wondered in awe as he sensed a powerful, foreboding change to their way of life in the air around him, which seemed to scorch him with a charged electrical current which had been unknown to him until this moment.

Perhaps the Oath-stone alone was powerful enough to garnish such deviation from procedure, and perhaps the unique situation gave the lack of traditional proceedings final weight for the laws of that year had already been determined at the Althing. Already the Autumn Meeting, where the decisions from the Althing had been announced, was over and Harvest-month was approaching fast and the time drew closely near where even now the sacred trees shown hints of colorful leaves that would explode in an eruption of red, gold and orange. The winds had already started to become chilled in the mornings and nights, but the days remained humid and the rays of the sun kindly warmed any skin that was left bare.

No, Haldar thought sadly for a moment, it is not only the change of seasons that energizes the air.

Lord Tunni was the first among the chieftains to anxiously swear his oath, followed by a still hesitant Lord Mulco. As Haldad made his way to the gray stones that stood piled high like a temple, he paused before Lord Canute, meeting his gaze for a few drawn-out moments before raising his hands to him in a blessing. Canute nodded, a somber smile etching his face and returned the gesture before departing form the council.

Haldad slowly followed with the other Thingmen and swore the consecrated oath to join the one who had not yet been officially chosen, but who would lead them to victory, or death.

The men that lead the scattered peoples who lived in Thargelion were wearing thinly stretched, grim faces that took upon themselves the inevitable look of a death. However, for tonight the leaders would meditate on the unnamed one who would draw them together in this courageous movement.

There was a feast that night and Tunni was in a noticeably happy mood, blatantly glancing to where Haleth stood, catching her eye whenever he could chance it.

Tunni felt invincible, and even the prospect of confessing his indirect death of Bryeth seemed a trifle in which he could picture Haleth forgiving him, after he had already taken her to his marriage bed - then there would be no escape for her, no way she could refuse to stay with him. Although he may have a few cold nights, he reasoned, there was little need for him to worry overmuch on the situation. Besides, he almost laughed aloud, there were other women who could occupy his need for release until Haleth came back to him.

And if she would not have your highly respectable and less-than-honorable lordship, a trifling voice taunted sarcastically with danger. And if she does not, Tunni replied resolutely within himself, cruel intention integrating anger and passion in his veins, I would have her one way or another.

"Do you think the people might choose him to lead us all?" Haleth asked grimly as she stood near her brother, moving her eyes toward Tunni as he face was overcome by a stern look of determination.

Haldar was taking a long draught from his ornately carved, wooden goblet and nearly spewed the amber liquid from his mouth when he heard Haleth's blatantly direct question.

"Reserve your speech to a low volume, young gentlewoman," he hissed, surveying the populated chamber full of kinsmen nervously. "You should discern your verbalizations better than to make any public utterance of information from the concealed proceedings that occurred at the council! Even at this late hour of night, my dear sister, do not even begin to attribute your dulled wit to insufficient amount of sleep."

"Aye, aye - you made your entrance onto this land before I did, yes, yes - and I recognize when I am being chided - you and your formal speech, indeed, brother mine!" she said impatiently, acknowledging that his point had been firmly made upon her. "I know I am not to suppose any ounce of knowledge of any such matters belonging solely to men, but when has that every stopped us from sharing," Haleth added, smiling with amusement. "Father trusts me and that trust from a Godi should be respected from his peers."

Haldar scowled ferociously for a moment and then sighed heavily as he flashed a mischievous smile at his twin sister, alike in physical appearance and even more alike in mind, though he thought she was, of course, definitely the more strong-willed between the two of them. "We can comprehend this as our own way of life, but not everyone believes in such roles for women in society as father does, now do they? Alas, I tell you what you already presume, do I not?"

Haleth nodded and looked around the room, as Haldar had done a moment ago, feigning compliance as she took notice of the light that began to shine in her brothers normally, pale gray-blue eyes as flecks of gold seemed to permeate the iris. Her seed she had planted in her brother's thought had already taken root and was budding with the beginnings of fruit.

Haldar replied thoughtfully, "It would suit reason, I suppose, but I know not who they will choose thought the obvious choice should be father. You know as well as I how unpredictable an outcome may be with so many different styles of rule involved, and with Canute and his peoples planning to depart after the breaking of fast in the morn - would that women were allowed in these proceedings and perhaps you could have said something to convince him to join us."

Haleth nodded with trepidation, "Here is another of many secrets I share with you, my beloved brother, Lord Canute would not be convinced of something had he not already set his mind upon it. Nevertheless, what you speak is true concerning these tribes, but I invoke the Ancient Ones to not move the spirits of these people to follow Tunni for he will take advantage of such a thing and build upon the power it would bring until we were all training as warriors and the wisdom of ages dies."

Haleth shuddered at the resonance of her own words, spoken and now dissipating too quickly for her comfort into the universe, as speechlessly, she chastised herself. Who was she to speak of invoking the Ancient Ones when she was cursed for her careless, thoughtless actions of selfish desire?

"Aye," Haldad said heavily, as he brought up his lean form to tower between his two adult children, placing a weighty hand on their individual shoulders. "That he would, but be not so quick to summon the intervention of the gods, my child. This is a matter for the men of Middle-earth to sort."

The vital fluid of life seemed to freeze as Haleth recalled the feeling of dread when she heard the warning murmured at the hallowed field in Canute when she called forth a memory that was not her own. Could her intuitive father, an enlightened prophet and seer, know her transgression, she wondered, before she dismissed the thought as a ludicrous fantasy of her overactive imagination and paranoia. Nay, he could not know and, as dear as she was to him, he would surely flog her for her tenacity and foolishness without hesitation, bound solely to his vow to uphold the laws associated with the keeping of practices more ancient that could be recalled in even his own experiences. This was a warning for her thoughts alone, and could not involve any of those she cherished.

"We will extend our complete support to whichever leader is chosen by our combined nations - we must do this no matter what the cost," Haldad continued to say adamantly, in a low voice. "The People of Tunni obey him in everything, with little choice, so there will be no need for him to ride back to consult with his people, however, most are here because most are men, for as you know, there are few women who dwell in his settlements. Canute will not participate, so there is no delay in that, but the people of Mulco will be a tough lot to determine - so many of them with different backgrounds and cultures. But again, there is no wait on that account because all his people are here in the village, or close enough to arrive in a short time. What say you on the matter, Haldar, my son?"

Haldar thought for a few moments, his chocolate colored eyebrows creasing ever slightly, letting the thoughts his father voiced aloud sink in to his reasoning before he spoke, "Our men, like Tunni's, will follow your will Godi Haldad," Haldar said with a respectful bow to his father, and leader.

"And what would the women folk say, Haleth?" Haldad said, turning to his daughter.

"Some would weep for the sure death of their loved ones, and some would rise up tall, wanting to join the fray and stand with honor against the enemy," she replied with resilient fact.

Haldad knew the group a daughter of his would select without a moment's thought, and he beamed discerningly with eyes glimmering brightly in the dancing flames of firelight.

"Do you feel it should be put to a women's council?"

"No, I see nothing that should make that a necessity," Haleth said with a slight hesitation, knowing well the complaint the women would have, yet knowing even better how they would agree. Whatever Godi Haldad proclaimed, they always willingly accepted as their fate at the end of all debates.

"Aye," Haldad nodded with erupted with pride, his stomach fluttering inside the cavity of his body at having anticipated her decision. He saw her confidence blossoming each day, and his heart rejoiced at the strength and decisiveness of her spirit at this critical moment in time and he knew that the time arrived for him to give her more responsibility, even if the other chieftains frowned upon it.

Haldad was the kind of man to trust in the judgement of those close to him and give them the option to make the right choice without hindernece or interference of any sort. As free will was a gift bestowed by the gods, so it would continue to be given through the command of Godi Haldad.

"Then, my daughter, you must depart without delay from here at this very moment for our lands and let the torches of the immeasurable twinkling stars lead you. Haldar will send messengers, which will allow you to ride directly home. Gather them quickly, Haleth, and bid them travel light for we must make more haste than when we last set out upon our homeland."

"Do not count on any delays from here, Haleth," Haldad continued. "If we are not here when you return, proceed westward toward the cross-section of the rivers of Ascar and Gelion. I would send your brother as an escort, if I did not already know he would only slow you down," Haldad added, winking at Haldar who righteously scoffed, taking another long draught from his beverage.

With her father's blessing, Haleth drained her chalice and gave both men a curt nod, making her way to her chamber and changing into her traveling clothes, gathering only the necessary provisions for her night ride to the settlements.

The winding, and normally dusty trail to the settlement was saturated with the wet dew that only comes upon the land during the deep hours of night, though the earth below it remained hard, refusing any of the moisture into its pours. As Haleth rode onward, urging her horse at a hard pace and stopping only briefly every hour to let her drink and graze, her mind became a torrent whirlwind of thought. Her heart overflowed with anxiety and she thought of the reality of the Orc-raid that drew near as she wondered briefly if Mulco or Canute were right to flee, whether it was to the Elven Lord, Caranthir, or into the mountains.

Of her tribe, she knew that not all would answer her father's call, caring little for what seemed to her like the obvious reasons of safety in numbers. There would be some of them who would die before leaving their homes to the filthy ransacking of the Orc army that pounded their way along the Dwarf-road, destroying everything in their path.

Haleth smiled. Her father had always maintained, for as far back as her thought could reach, that it was their right to follow their own free will, and for that, they had given him much respect and loyalty. In this particular case of the very real possibility of brutal and unmerciful attack, Haleth knew some of their people would purposely practice their right to do as they willed.

Many of the folks of the disseminated tribe leaders lived too near the Dwarf-road, save Canute, and could not be immune from the cruel and inhumane destruction of the enemy. The only areas that were hidden to those who did not know the various ways of their people were the capital villages that lay shrouded in disguise to strangers. Most of the people of their lords roamed where they would, and in their fair turn settled where they would. Many of these homesteads even refused to acknowledge any lord of any sort, giving their full trust directly to the gods of their own choosing, seeing only weakness in the rule of other men.

The pride of such men would cause countless deaths and the shedding of more innocent blood. Blood, she thought ruefully, lifting her face to the sky and with regret, she lowered her head and closed her eyes. Bryeth's face appeared in a hazy vision of gray mist as he looked upon her with pity and sadness.

Why does he look at me that way, with damnable pity in his eyes, she screamed in her mind as her hands began to shake with rage, frustrated by what she could not interpret. The glowering countenance of Tunni replaced Bryeth's without warning as Haleth startled in a dazed bewilderment.

The unforeseen vision ended with a curtain of vivid crimson and then darkened as the particles of air mingle with the blood, drying it into an aged, crusty substance. A substance no longer scared unless the earth could drink it and replenish the dirt of fruitfulness and the life-blood of their existence.

The wind picked up in an errie, unnatural rhythm, "â€you will have to bear a heavy burden for your willfulness!"

"Plague me no more," she growled into the night wind, her voice floating into the abnormal silence that met her ears, as even the leaves on the trees dared not rub against one another.

Haleth vigorously shook the thought from her brain, opening her eyes with frantic wonder. She felt uneasy, knowing she did not command to the higher powers as she once had begun to do and knowing full well that she had earned whatever punishment should come of her offense demonstrated in the field at Canute.

But how grevious had her offense really been, she wondered. Surely not grevious enough to warrant severe repercussions, she thought, trying to ease her nerves. Bryeth is already dead, what could possibly be a more heavy burden than that - to go through life knowing the mate of her soul was on another level of existence that she was no longer welcome at and that they could perhaps not even be together in death because of her foolishness, with no hope of children to continue either bloodline.

Haleth mounted her horse with fervent need, trying to hasten away from her thoughts, or expect that they be muddled with the jarring ride, praying with desperation to her patron goddess, Freya, to forgive her the transgression she committed on the sacred ground at Canute and spare her any further torment.

More foolish nonsense for my part, Haleth thought firmly, admonishing herself once again. There was not a spare moment to waste on her personal problems and as her time wore thin, she would at the same time be forced to suffer what was willed with no further help for her actions. She had already begged forgiveness, half-scared onto the brink of insanity by voices and visions, and that was all that was left in her power that she could do.

If only she was not knowledgeable in the rituals and the holy mysteries as a priestesses of Freya, she thought with sudden bitterness, battling a good sense of blasphemy in her own mind against her goddess. There could be no praying for ignorance at this instant. It was time to go home and gather the remainder of her father's people, during the safety of the day's sunshine and the mid-day meal.

Disclaimer:

Characters and situations of The Silmarillion (Second Edition) by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Christopher Tolkien are the property of The J.R.R. Tolkien Copyright Trust and Christopher Reuel Tolkien.

Produced solely for the enjoyment of other fans and not for any monetary profit. Please do not sue me, as I have little money.