Sorry this took so long, but it's a pretty meaty chapter; you forgive me, right? :o)
~~ Chapter Seven: A Plan of Attack ~~
The next two weeks were full of activity and passed quickly. Thingol not only supported Finrod's decision to capture the Pass of Sirion, he encouraged it, and offered whatever of Doriath's resources would be needed. Finrod and his brothers spent most of their time in Menegroth's libraries, researching the land and trying to decide on the wisest course of action. Many hours were also spent with Doriath's finest military minds, chiefly Valendil and Celeborn. The latter's blindness did not prevent him from remembering the location and the surrounding area, and the knowledge he presented them with was invaluable. Finrod was beginning to understand why the king kept him in such close counsel.
Meanwhile, Artanis was spending the majority of her waking hours with Melian and Lúthien. She was eager to learn the customs of Doriath, and the queen and her daughter were only too happy to teach her. Artanis and Melian would also spend great amounts of time recalling life in Valinor. They had different reasons for leaving, but both of them missed the Blessed Realm regardless. The topic of departing from Valinor came up only once and was never discussed again.
"You are not an exile," Artanis had pointed out. "You could return if you desired."
"And maybe one day I will," Melian replied. She sighed and began twirling a section of her dark hair around her finger. "But that day will not come for many years, if it comes at all. My Elu saw the Undying Lands and the light of the Two Trees himself, and yet he is content here."
"Then you remain here for his sake," Artanis said. "You stay when you could be happier elsewhere."
A flash of anger appeared in Melian's eyes, the first Artanis had ever seen. "I stay here because I love him, and as long as I am where he is, I will be joyful. Someday you, too, will find someone, Artanis, and you will learn that some loves are stronger than others."
Artanis didn't agree with the queen, but she knew better than to try and contest it at this time.
In between studying with Melian and Lúthien, Artanis offered what help she could to her brother, and consequently, ended up spending a lot of time with Celeborn, as Finrod felt they had an understanding and that they would work well together. He could not have been more right; the two of them would accomplish more in one day than the other teams did in three. Finrod was delighted with their progress and was beginning to feel they could move the date for their assault up. Then, a few days before they were to return to the border to meet with the other Noldor, one of the marchwardens came to Menegroth bearing a message to Finrod from Celebrimbor.
You must come to us immediately, Celebrimbor had written in haste on a piece of parchment. There is something you will very pleased to see.
Within hours of receiving Celebrimbor's message, Finrod and his companions were ready to depart. All of Menegroth came to see the nine of them off: Finrod, Orodreth, Aegnor, Angrod, Artanis, Valendil, Celeborn, and two members of Thingol's court who had participated greatly in the planning, Saeros and Elecon. After receiving horses from the king and protection from the queen, they rode out of the city, Valendil and Finrod leading. The sun was setting behind them as they set out, and although they initially expressed caution about traveling through the forest at night, they decided it was worth the risk; the marchwardens would be on patrol, and Elbereth's stars sparkled overhead and watched them from afar. They would be safe this night.
From the back of her horse, Caladroch, Artanis watched as Finrod and Valendil conversing between themselves at the head of the procession. She could not hear what they were saying, but she was certain it had something to do with the assault. She loved her brother dearly, but the only topics that seemed to keep his interest were planning, strategy, tactics, and the like. She enjoyed discussing such things from time to time, but it was difficult to get Finrod to think of anything else. Apparently, Valendil could not be brought to talk about other things, either, and she smiled, feeling that despite their rocky beginning, Finrod had found a friend in this Sindarin soldier.
There were many friends to be found in Doriath, and that turned her thoughts as well as her eyes to one she had made. Celeborn was riding three or four strides ahead of her on a horse named Alagos; a few feet behind Elecon, allowing the latter's horse to guide the former's, as he could not do it on his own. He was silent, and rode stiffly, sitting straight up, and his hands holding the reins loosely at the base of the animal's neck. He faced straight forward, and his eyes were closed, making him look as though he was lost in thought. The Sun had long since set, and now Tilion guided the Moon along its wayward path. Its silver light on Celeborn's hair made it shine brighter than usual. He is beautiful, Artanis thought. She rarely used the word "beautiful" in the masculine sense, but for him, it seemed right. He could not be described any other way.
She felt a sudden urge to speak with him, and urged Caladroch forward. The young, energetic horse was only too eager to comply, and quickened his pace until they were alongside Celeborn and she pulled him back to a walk. Celeborn heard them coming and turned his head, opening his unseeing eyes. "Yes?" he said.
At that moment, Artanis forgot everything she was going to say. "I'm sorry," she said, feeling rather foolish. "I did not mean to bother you."
He relaxed his body and smiled. "You are not a bother, Artanis. Just knowing you are near is a comfort."
She smiled, too; a smile that, over the course of the last few weeks, had become reserved only for him, though he would never know.
"Does Finrod know why… Celebrimbor, isn't it – why Celebrimbor sent for him?"
"No," she answered. "We know nothing other than it will probably make us very happy; at least that's what Finrod thinks."
"Does Celebrimbor know his mind well?"
"As well as I can be expected, I suppose," Artanis said. "He is one of the few Fëanorians who appears to be at least partially sane."
Few things in a person's voice escaped his ears, and the undertone of bitterness in hers was no exception. "The Fëanorians are your kinsmen, Aratanis," he said. "Would you speak ill of them?"
"I would," she replied, not bothering to hide the spite. "Consumed by the lust for those cursed gems, falling into madness, killing-" She stopped herself just in time. To the best of their knowledge, the Elves of Doriath did not know about the kinslaying at Alqualondë, and the children of Finarfin had no intent to make it known.
Celeborn, however, was as alert as ever. "Killing?" he repeated. "What are you talking about?"
She was saved from answering when Finrod and Valendil suddenly pulled their horses to a stop, causing the whole party to halt. "What is it?" Saeros asked.
Valendil held up his hand in a motion for silence. Caladroch stomped his foot impatiently. "Ssh," Artanis whispered to her horse, stroking his neck. Her touch did little to calm him, and looking around, she noticed that the other horses were restless, too. And then she heard it: a howl in the distance.
"Wolves," said Aegnor.
"We should keep moving," said Orodreth.
"No," Valendil said, dismounting from his horse. He walked over to a tree, placed his hand on the trunk, and listened for a few moments. No more howls were heard, but he knew better than to trust the silence. He knelt down, ran his fingers over the ground near the tree's roots, then stood up again. "They lie ahead of us, along the path that we would take. We must backtrack and find another route. We are making good time; this will not be too much of a delay if we hurry."
He was just about to get back on his horse when Celeborn spoke. "Valendil!"
Rather than speak to him from that distance, Valendil walked over to the prince. "Yes?" he said calmly, placing his hand on Alagos' neck.
Artanis didn't like the tone of his voice, and she watched him carefully as he spoke to Celeborn.
"You told me last week the wolf population was under control," Celeborn said softly so as not to draw attention to their conversation. Even Elecon was disregarding them, favoring a discussion with Saeros. Only Artanis was interested in what they had to say.
"We can never be certain of their numbers," Valendil said. "It is impossible."
"It was not impossible when I was captain," Celeborn said, a challenging undertone to his voice. "Perhaps my place would have been better filled by Aranesen."
"If the lieutenant is so important in this area, then perhaps you should consider replacing your brother," Valendil replied.
"That was unnecessary," Artanis snapped, unable to hold in her anger. In addition to being Celeborn's brother, Uncómien was her friend. She would not allow his honor to go undefended.
Both Celeborn and Valendil turned their heads toward her. It was Valendil who spoke first. "You would do well to refrain from offering your opinion when it is not requested, Noldo," he said.
By this time, even Celeborn was losing his patience. "And you would do well speak more kindly to a lady, Captain."
At that moment, Finrod decided to get involved as well. He guided his horse, Padanórui, over to the argument and said, "What is the trouble here?"
"There is no trouble," Valendil said, removing his hand from Alagos and returning to his own horse.
"There is no trouble," Celeborn echoed in a tired sort of voice. "We will do as Valendil advised."
Finrod watched him closely for a few moments, as if expecting him to do something else. When he did nothing, the eldest son of Finarfin returned to the front of the party.
Artanis was not pleased at all. "Why did you say there was no trouble?" she demanded. "Valendil challenged your authority and insulted your brother!" Caladroch snorted in agreement.
"Part of the fault is my own," Celeborn said. "I should not have provoked him."
Finrod and Valendil turned their horses in another direction, and the others followed at a pace faster than before. Artanis directed Caladroch nearer to Elecon's horse and told him that she would take over guiding Alagos. Elecon acknowledged her statement and rode off to join Saeros and Angrod in conversation.
"How did you provoke him?" she asked.
"Aranesen," he answered.
"Who?"
"He was my lieutenant before…"
His voice trailed off, and although she wanted to ask why Valendil became captain instead of Aranesen, she sensed that this was not the time. She reached over, placed her hand on top of his, and gave it a gentle, friendly squeeze. He smiled at her, and she at him. Whether or not this subject would ever arise again seemed unimportant. All that mattered was the moment, and she did not want it to be ruined.
~~~
They arrived at the Noldorin camp at dawn, just as they'd hoped. Celebrimbor and a half dozen others came out to meet them. Finrod and his entourage dismounted and then made their way over to the exuberant Celebrimbor. "Welcome, Lord Finrod!" Celebrimbor exclaimed. "I see you have brought all of Doriath with you!"
Finrod laughed. "Not all," he said, and then briefly introduced Celeborn, Valendil, Saeros, and Elecon.
Celebrimbor extended a welcome to them all, then said to Finrod, "Come; there are some people I believe you will be very glad to see," and led the party over to the main tent.
"Turgon?" Finrod asked hopefully.
Celebrimbor laughed and pushed open the front flap of the tent. "Not just Turgon!"
The first two people Finrod saw inside the tent were two of his kinsmen, Fingolfin and Maedhros.
Finrod, of course, was delighted to see them; Fingolfin more than Maedhros, but still glad both were there. Turgon was there as well, and his brother Fingon. Greetings were given, introductions were made, and then Finrod asked how and why they came; after all, it was only Turgon's assistance for which they asked. It was a welcome surprise, but a surprise just the same.
It was Maedhros who answered the question. "Celebrimbor's messengers reached Turgon in Nevrast, then he sent word to Fingolfin and Fingon in Hithlum. Their scouts, too, have reported Orc activity near the Pass of Sirion. Fingon in turn sent for me, and here we are."
"Maglor holds the lowlands between Himring and the Ered Luin, but Sirion is unguarded," Fingolfin added. "Between Fingon, Turgon, Maedhros, and myself, we have a force five thousand strong. They are camped over the ridge."
"And we have a plan," said Finrod. He nodded to Saeros, who was carrying a large, rolled-up map.
"Excellent," said Fingolfin. "Let us hear it."
"We'll do better than that," said Elecon as they all moved over to the large table in the middle of the tent. "We'll show you."
"Celeborn?" Finrod said as Orodreth and Saeros unrolled the map.
Celeborn nodded and stepped up to the map. All eyes were on him as he spoke. "How much Orc activity has there been…" He searched his mind for the name. It was much more difficult to match a name to a voice than a face, and it was one of the few skills he had not yet mastered. "Maedhros?"
"Their movement has been slow, but steady," Maedhros answered. "There are about a thousand camped in the Pass of Sirion, and more are trickling in every day, by land and by boat from Angbad."
Celeborn sighed and tapped his fingers against the surface of the table. "This calls from a deviation from our previous plan," he said. "May I suggest a new course, Finrod?"
"You may suggest anything you feel like suggesting, Celeborn," Finrod returned. "You are the one who knows the land best."
"I underestimated Morgoth's swiftness in taking advantage of that pass," Celeborn said. "I believed we could take it before he would have a chance to reach it, and in light of this new information, we must alter our plans." He ran his fingers over the map, then stopped. "The map is upside-down."
Saeros and Orodreth apologized and turned it around. Artanis and Finrod stole a glance at each other, and both had traces of astonishment on their faces.
"Originally, we were going to strike from here the Ered Wethrin," said Celeborn, touching a spot on the map, then moving his hand several inches to the right, "and here, the Crissaegrim. However, in light of both our numbers and theirs, I believe we should attack from a third front: the river Sirion itself."
"Which you originally advised against," Aegnor pointed out.
"I did, but circumstances were different at that time," Celeborn replied. "I made sure our plan was flexible in case it would need to be modified once we met Turgon. Keeping options open is very important in this sort of affair." He turned his head in the direction Finrod's voice came from and said, "How skilled are your people with boats?"
Maedhros flinched, and Fingolfin and his sons looked ready to do the same, but stopped themselves just in time. After the Kinslaying, it was unlikely that the word "boat" would ever carry positive connotations for them again.
"We are skilled enough," said Turgon, "although we have none of our own."
"I think I understand where you are going with this, Celeborn," said Valendil, stepping up to the map. "Attack from the original two fronts, and if they try to flee into Beleriand, they will be met by another army. They would have no choice but to retreat back into Angbad."
"Exactly," Celeborn said. He smiled, and Valendil did, too. They never spoke of it again, but both knew at that moment that their earlier disagreement had been forgiven and forgotten.
"Doriath will lend boats," said Elecon. "The river Esgalduin meets the Sirion. I will ride back to Menegroth at once and ready enough soldiers to guide boats to the pass. We can move swiftly and will arrive at about the same time you do if you move on foot; perhaps even sooner."
"Then we can send some of our soldiers with you in the boats and then the others into the mountains," Fingon realized.
"It's a good plan," said Celeborn, nodding in approval. "It's a very good plan."
"Shall I be off, then?" Elecon said.
"In a moment," Celeborn replied. "We do not want to be detected by them, and we need time to get our people into the mountains. Our forces must meet somewhere a safe distance away."
"What about here?" Fingolfin suggested, pointing to a forest on the map. "The north end of the forest of the Forest of Brethil, where it meets the river."
Celeborn closed his eyes and thought for a moment, then opened them and said, "Yes, that will do. It is a safe distance away. We would need a week for the ground soldiers to position themselves in the mountains and two days for the boats to arrive at the pass from that location. Are there any more suggestions?"
Silence, and then Finrod spoke. "Then this will be our plan."
"You may go now, Elecon," said Celeborn.
"Alone?" Angrod said as Elecon moved toward the tent's entrance.
"I know both this land and my skill with a sword," Elecon replied. "I will be safe."
"No, he's right; you should not go alone," Celeborn said.
"I will go," Valendil offered.
"Perhaps Artanis should go with you as well," Finrod mused. He had been against his sister's coming even to the border, and the thought of taking her into battle was not one on which he wished to dwell.
"Don't be ridiculous, Finrod," Artanis said. "I am as competent as any of your soldiers in battle."
He knew she was, but he did not want to risk seeing her fall in battle. Before he could reply, though, Celeborn spoke. "We will not be in need of her sword, but a mind such as hers is invaluable on the battlefront," the Sindarin prince added. "I will be there, and I daresay she is far more useful than I am."
Finrod sighed. "Very well."
Artanis beamed, and she noticed a small smile on Celeborn's faced as well.
Elecon and Valendil took their leave of them after that, and Fingon went out as well to lend them fresh horses. Finrod and Turgon found each other and began talking. Artanis watched them with a smile on her face. Her brother and cousin were the same age, and consequently, they were closer to each others' hearts than any other outside their immediate families. She wanted to go to Celeborn and thank him for standing up to Finrod on her behalf, but he was engaged in conversation with Saeros, and she didn't want to interrupt. She promised herself she would thank him later, and, feeling trapped inside the crowded tent, decided to go outside for some fresh air. She'd always loved being outside during and after sunrise.
Outside, the air was fresh and cool, and the light of the early morning danced on the dew in the grass. She smiled and turned her eyes toward her old friend Arien, steering the Sun across the sky. The Sun was more than light; it was a symbol of life, letting them know that no matter how dark the night was, the light would always triumph. And it was going to be a beautiful day.
~~~
Marshmallows for my reviewers: Skycat14, Galorin, Nevdoiel, Arinya, Morelen, AngelQueen, Riwen, and Musical misfit!
And yes, there will be battles – the Dagor Aglareb is going to take place in the next two chapters, actually. Battles are so much fun to write. :o)