Chapter 2

Skills Made Manifest

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Nag Kath's plan was to cross the High Pass again and take the path along the Anduin far to the south. Belfalas was the goal. It was part of Aragorn's realm but said to be self-governed, Ithilien too. Going from north to south meant Gondor. He kept to the western bank where there were fewer swamps by most accounts. The first important river he had to ford was the Gladden. There were folk about, mostly farmers, but they were timid and did not speak to him, even the famous Gladden Kaths. The road was clear and smooth. It was not for wheeled-traffic but a horseman could make good time through the Dimrill Dale. The first real settlement might be the Elves of Caras Galadhon. He stayed on the path and camped in plain sight. No one approached and he did not feel watched. They had been traveling almost a month at an easy pace when they reached the Celebrant River leading from Fangorn.

The pretty little river gave way to homely scenery. Across the Anduin were the aptly-named brown lands. The Wold on this side looked little different. This was the upper edge of Rohan, well away from most people. Easterlings from the Rhûn region often beset this place for all the good it did them. Saruman convinced them their fortunes would be better if they took the horse and grainlands from the Rohirrim. It might have if they got that far.

Two weeks later he reached the Falls of Rauros. The last six days had been slow going because the river passed through a series of cataracts with no easy trail. Much of the time he led Regaldin well west of the rapids. Nag Kath made a point of sketching the Argonath statues which, while Gondoran, were done in the Numenorean style of stern kings standing sentinel over their boundaries.

They had to pick their way past the falls on the western side before reaching a ford into North Ithilien. It was a nasty bog for much of the way on either side and took another six days to reach decent footing. Upon gaining Cair Andros they took a rest to dry wet things and let Regaldin graze. The day after that they reached the main north/south road that ran the length of Ephel Düath range separating Gondor from Mordor. For better or worse, Nag Kath was back in the Reunited Kingdom. After twenty years, he hoped no one was looking for fugitive Elves.

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North Ithilien was still largely undeveloped until about twenty miles from the Morgulduin River dividing the two halves. There Nag Kath saw hard work being done. Men were building and repairing and farming this land but still leaving many trees and wildlands to grow naturally. Getting closer to the river there were villages and more folk on the road as well, but along the banks, where one might expect the best farms, no land was tilled at all.

When they reached the river he saw men setting footings for a new bridge. He introduced himself to about twenty workmen on the north bank and a few in a large tent. It was near quitting time. Chief Engineer Durambyn asked if he would like to join them for a half pint and fish. That was the best offer he would get so Nag Kath gladly accepted. With them were Durambyn's assistant, Heinieth and Architect Finenbrad. This ran to the changeling's old trade so it wasn't long until they were talking about all manner of construction that would have bored their women to sobs.

Camp stirred at daybreak with the smells of breakfast. Men here were fed a good meal before their labors. Heinieth walked out of the tent with a cup of strong tea and stood next to Nag Kath looking at the outline of Osgiliath in the distance. The Elf mused, "It must have been something in its day."

"Aye, it could be again except the water goes bad. It is too flat to keep drinking water from the waste. With spring floods we get fevers."

Nag Kath turned behind him and remembered the waterpath to the Eiaontal Garden. "Why not run an aqueduct from the massif headwaters to the city. It doesn't seem very far."

Durambyn wandered out with his tea and overheard the conversation. He took a sip and said, "That flows from the Morgul Vale. The towers were crushed to rubble but no one will drink the cursed water."

Heineth added, "Especially after they drowned the black spider."

Not one to give up easily, Nag Kath ventured, "It looks clean."

Durambyn turned to look at the pass behind them before saying, "Looks are deceiving. It would solve a lot of troubles, though."

"How far from there to the city?"

Heinieth this time; "Perhaps twelve leagues. The last third is all flood plain."

Architect Finenbrad walked out barefoot with his tea. He was in his fifties and on loan from Minas Tirith for the bridge. It was time to get home again and see his grandchildren. The good-natured man chuckled, "Are you fellows solving the problems of the world."

Hienieth answered, "We are. Nag Kath was curious about chuting water from up there to the city."

The sage architect sipped his tea and thought, "We have those in Minas Tirith on the south side where the river inside the rock dried-up ages ago." He looked behind them as well and said, "Job for a younger man. Wish we had that before the pox last year. Water's rank though."

Durambyn turned to Nag Kath and asked, "Here and now, I don't suppose you are interested in a week's work? That bank is giving us fits. I could use an extra hand."

Nag Kath brightened, "Done! What do you need?"

The Elf helped with the crew, organizing hoists and spent time in the sun. He also worked on sketches from different angles to give men perspective. Men waded in the cold water at need but drinking water was carried here from further north.

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Five days later an attendant was laying out his Lord's attire. "Good morning, Sire. It is a pretty day."

King Elessar Telcontar was staying in East Osgiliath and would meet Prince Faramir for breakfast before continuing to see the new bridge. This was the last ford spanned on this newly important stretch of road. The two friends left together with sixteen outriders along the north bank of the Neussan - hastily changed from Morgulduin. It had been the Ithilduin but the old fortress, by either name, was destroyed. Two hours later they rode up to the working men who hastily assembled and bowed. The engineers and architect were with them but Nag Kath had gone back to the tent for a drawing.

Lord Aragorn pronounced, "Thank you for your good work men. Please, go about your business." Heinieth took the laborers back to the bank.

The two lords dismounted. Prince Faramir asked his long-time engineer, "How fares your bridge, Mr. Durambyn?"

"Reasonably well, My Lord. Some of the rocks were stubborn until we threatened them with Dwarves."

Nag Kath heard the horses and finished what he was doing before walking out of the tent holding several scrolls. The King saw the Elf but it took a few seconds before he realized which Elf. Nag Kath bowed deeply. Elessar walked to fifteen feet and said, "Hello Nag Kath."

"This is an unexpected pleasure, My Lord."

"I should imagine. Will you visit Minas Tirith while you are here?"

Nag Kath replied in Sindarin, "I was not sure of my welcome."

In the common tongue the King said, "You would be most welcome. Please come see me."

"I would be honored, Sire."

The King asked the builders, "What are you fellows working on?"

Architect Finenbrad had been on the building committee for years and was comfortable with his liege. "Sire, I am wrestling with the same rock as young Hienieth and Mr. Durambyn. Mr. Kath is an architect too, newly arrived from Dale to help with the renderings. He was even talking about an aqueduct from the headwaters to Osgiliath until we told him the source. A very ambitious young man, if you ask me!"

Prince Faramir came forward at that. A good friend died of the fever in the city last year and he was sore grieved for the man's wife and daughter. Looking at Nag Kath he said gravely, "A noble idea indeed, but that water comes from cursed lands and has poisoned men. Folk here have seen this."

Nag Kath gave that a moment's thought and stated, "It would be easy enough to test." He scanned the incredulous faces and then calmly sat in the grass to remove his boots. Everyone, including men who were supposedly working just upstream, watched the young engineer walk waist-deep into the flow. He unfolded his little knife and held it underwater for a few seconds before examining the blade.

Then, in a story that would outlive his warg adventure, he dunked himself into the river and stood, raising his arm to the sky. The arm began to glow shimmering silver as if encased in a beam of moonlight firing into the sky. The rest of him lit the same color lasting five seconds until fading back to his natural shade. As if he had done no more than wash his face, Nag Kath walked back to his boots and told the Lords of Gondor, "I felt only the slightest evil, though I suppose each headwater stream should be tested individually."

Reactions ranged from horror to astonishment except for Aragorn who just laughed, "I would be interested in hearing where you learned that trick!"

Nag Kath smiled too, "Dunland."

Lord Faramir watched his King closely then approached Nag Kath who was pulling on his boots asking, "Is it possible to transport water from those hills to Osgiliath?"

"I am not sure, sir. My comments were in idle passing, but the elements are in place." Standing-up, he looked to the King, "Sire, do you recall the Eiaontal Garden trough in Rivendell?"

Aragorn looked up the hill for a short while before turning back to the Prince and Elf. Nodding slightly to Faramir, "I do."

Prince Faramir said to Nag Kath, who, to all-the-world, looked like an oversized farm-lad, "I would hear more of this. What do you need?"

The changeling pointed at the massif and thought aloud, "First to climb those rocks and test the headwater streams. If clean, see which of them can be diverted west into a collection pond before it reaches the river. Then I must ride the line-of-sight towards the city for the lay of the land. Perhaps two or three weeks work for a rough guess."

Faramir turned to his engineer, "Can you do without him for a month?"

"Aye, My Lord. He was on his way to Belfalas until he made the mistake of giving us good advice."

The Prince said to Nag Kath gravely, "Would you consider this labor?"

"If the King can wait that long, it would be my pleasure."

King Elessar laughed again, "I will manage, Nag Kath. Please help Prince Faramir."

That was the first anyone mentioned he was a Prince. Nag Kath bowed and said, "At your service, My Lord." Looking to his fellow builders he added, "Though I may need a few of their strong lads."

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The Lords of Gondor parted with the King returning to the White City and the Prince going overland to his capitol of Emyn Arnen. When they were well out of earshot, Durambyn said to Finenbrad, "Well, you've got him in arse-deep."

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This morning Nag Kath was two days from riding to Dol Amroth where folk were said to resemble him. Now he was un-exiled by the King and considering a great labor. Durambyn looked at the changeling in a combination of awe and curiosity. Architect Finenbrad did not seem troubled at all. The next morning after breakfast, Nag Kath saddled Regaldin and added a backpack with food, rope and one of the engineer's bubble levels along with his art satchel. At the ruins of Minas Morgul he held his hands over the rubble as he had the streams of Mirkwood looking for fell humors. What little taint was left came from the main flow here.

If he continued into Mordor, this road would take him to the pass of Cirith Ungol but he was interested in the first peak to the north. Water poured into the vale from either side of the gap. Nag Kath had Regaldin pick his way up the foothills looking for the westernmost stream with enough water to divert due west. One looked promising so he left the horse to graze and hiked from the plain into the rocks. Two hundred feet up he found a long sliver of a pool pounded by a waterfall into a ring of ledge before leaking back to join the Neussan. It tested clean. Even better would be a lower pool so he edged his way to the western lip of the waterfall and tossed a couple rocks down to see where they landed. Masons could build another pool below with a more gradual decline towards the flood plain.

The next day he impounded three of Durambyn's nervous workers, more rope, a barracks tent and food along with a donkey and Regaldin to carry it all. They hiked two days back to the pool and made camp. For the next two days, Nag Kath had them fell a small tree and limb it so the branches only stuck-out half a foot. That was wrapped with the barracks tent to make a crude pipe long enough to reach from the fall to the western edge of the pool. It collapsed twice and everyone was freezing by the time they got it under the waterfall but it worked well enough to show a definite divide between west and south. Nag Kath swam over to the lip to see where the water splashed while the men shuddered.

There was enough light in the day so they broke camp and made a new one near where the water was spilling. The chute failed after a few hours but now Nag Kath knew where it would go if the open side was dammed and the north lip carved away. With creative stone-craft, it could be urged far enough north to form its own course straight to Osgiliath.

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After breakfast the men took the donkey back to camp. Nag Kath mounted his transit level on the line of sight from the water supply to Osgiliath. He was three leagues from the new bridge and another seven or eight to the city. There were no hills of consequence in the way but he would not know the valley depths without riding the line.

He covered about a league a day, stopping to sketch and shoot elevations. That went well until about three leagues from Osgiliath where the aqueduct would have to be raised above the lowlands. Nag Kath got as good a look as he could without riding the horse through stinging brambles. Several ravines would have to be bridged. But it was possible. A mile outside of the city he saw a large, solid red rock about eighty paces by forty by perhaps thirty feet high. He would remember that on the way back.

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Osgiliath was bustling. Development started at the waterfront after the war and had moved outward since. The capital of Gondor long ago, most of the city was still uninhabited except for squatters, but other areas were open for business. A dozen food smells wafted through the streets at the same time. Nag Kath went to the northern end of the city to be close to the water supply and found a nice inn with its own stable. After seeing to Regaldin, he took his satchel and wandered around looking for fountains and pipes. He also scrambled up a bell tower hoping it would not be rung while he was atop. That gave him a good view due east towards the Ephil massif as well as the red rock. He was climbing down when the ringer arrived to sound the 'late-six'.

He had as much information as he needed so he took the room for an extra night thinking he could make better sense of his notes and sketches with a proper desk and cooking rather than beans and porridge. When those were complete he rode back to camp.

Durambyn spent several hours going over the plans and made a few changes. It was ready for the Prince so they saddled-up the next day and rode to Emyn Arnen where Faramir made his capital. It was a pretty place with rolling hills leading to steeper cliffs on a semi-circle of peaks. They arrived at the Lord's halls and let his steward know they had arrived.

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Usually waiting for a high lord means looking at one's fingernails for several hours but Durambyn's office was here so they studied other projects in progress. The engineer also had a boy tell his wife he would be there after meeting the Prince. At four, an attendant came to the office apologizing profusely and asked if the two could join the Prince for tea. That meant food and Durambyn never missed free food.

Prince Faramir was seated at the head of a small dining table with an attractive blonde woman to his right. Next to her was an older man followed by a middle-aged man, both immaculately dressed. The attendant showed them to the Prince's left with Durambyn nearest. After bowing they sat and waited. The Prince said, "Thank you for coming. I have been looking forward to this."

Durambyn opened by saying, "Thank you, My Lord. I will turn this over to Nag Kath since he has done all of the work."

The Elf did not look like an Elf. His hair was much shorter than the Elves wore theirs and it was over his ears. His clothes were mannish and not very clean. And weren't the Elves all gone? Whatever he was, that silver glow was unnatural. Nag Kath followed his introduction by saying, "My Lord, My Lady, gentlemen. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. When we met, we had only mused about the idea of bringing water from the hills to Osgiliath. Those ideas are better formed. I believe it would be possible to collect water from a headwater stream above the Nuessan and channel it through an aqueduct to East Osgiliath, similar to structures used further north."

The older of the two men asked Durambyn, "Alad, have you given thought to cost and time yet?"

"Nay, Telvin. We are only at possible. Practical will come much later."

Faramir said, "Forgive me, Mr. Kath, but you hardly seem old enough for experience in such work." Not to mention turning into a silver statue. No matter. If his engineer trusted the beardless lad and the King liked the fellow, he would see where this led.

Nag Kath smiled, "I started young, sir." At the second mention of his name the woman gave him a more penetrating gaze. The Elf did not notice because he was unrolling his main plan and sliding it in front of Durambyn so the Prince could see before explaining, "The idea is to direct the nearest stream on the Düathin massif of Cirith Ungol away from the chasm forming the Neussan. From there it would flow into a collection dam below and then travel through a long stone trough to the city. That would require digging and some bridges across ravines to come in high enough to pressure the city fountains.

"This will be a Numenorean effort. The surveying alone will take two years. They were used often to the north as in Moria. Rivendell has them as well and this sketch is the remaining portion of the gate and chute on the Rohan side of Isengard." That last example was a bit pretentious. The main idea came from the penstock tubes from the orc dam on the Isen that fed the trip-hammer.

The Lady had heard enough. "Pray, sir. Have you been to Rohan?"

"Long ago, ma'am."

"And how was it you were there?"

Nag Kath rubbed his smooth chin in kingly fashion and replied, "It is twenty years past, but I helped a train of wounded Rohirrim after the war from the White City to Edoras."

She smiled sweetly and stunned every man in the room, "Did you have any trouble with wargs this time?"

That brought forth the famous Nag Kath grin, "Nay, My Lady. I think they learned their lesson."

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After that, Prince Faramir couldn't end the meeting soon enough because he needed to speak to his wife about wargs. Durambyn went home. Nag Kath stayed in a guest apartment. The next morning an attendant asked if he would come to the north garden. Prince Faramir was sitting alone on a stone bench overlooking the flowers. The changeling bowed and the Prince gestured for him to sit.

"You have a colorful past, Mr. Kath."

"You don't know the half of it, Prince Faramir."

"My Lady tells me you killed a pack of wargs with your bare hands."

"Just one. Is she from Rohan?"

The Prince looked down on the valley and said, "She is Éowyn, sister to King Éomer."

"I didn't see the resemblance. She reminded me of Lady Altheras."

"I knew Lord Altheras in the house of healing."

"His wife, a lovely woman. He gave me his sword when I had to use my hands."

The Prince pulled the conversation back to his purpose. "Why would you help my people?"

Nag Kath leaned forward and folded his hands together, "I was just passing through the bridge camp. As conversations among builders go, I wondered why nobody had built a pipe from the springs down to the city when Engineer Durambyn said those waters were fouled by the dark Lord. It seems time has healed the wound." He paused a moment, "A true friend of mine told me to develop my gifts and use them to heal the hurts of man. If my help could keep many from being sick, I count that a blessing, My Lord."

"Will you do that?"

"I will."

"And what would you ask of me?"

"Tea in Osgiliath."