In An Age Before – Part 26
At her suggestion the four sat upon the grass and waited a while. Though it seemed early still, they shared out some bread and cheese for their noon meal, washing it down with a dry, pale wine. Helluin kept a close eye on the forest, but detected no further movement amongst the trees. It seemed the Huorns were paying them no mind, neither advancing out of Greenwood, nor moving about within it. She deemed this a good sign. In the meantime she made small talk for the sake of distracting her companions, complimenting Celeborn on his shooting and telling them that another three days' march lay ahead within the forest. Too soon their meal was finished. A quick glance up at the sun revealed that an hour had passed since the battle. At least she had marked the return of the birds to their roosts amidst the branches.
"I deem 'tis time to be on our way," Helluin told her companions, knowing their nervousness would only increase the longer they waited idle. Another hour or another day would change the wariness of the trees not at all. To them, such spans of time meant 'naught. "Remain close together and close to me as well," she advised as she gathered her bow and quiver.
The others packed up their baggage and rose, and Helluin led them forth toward the wood. Now as they approached, Helluin began a song, and this was one she had learnt long aforetime in Valinor, composed in praise of Yavanna, the Goddess of Growing Things. The melody rose and fell, but the tempo was slow and insistent, and it conveyed a sense of upward destiny and a yearning for light and the free air. 'Twas a growing song, oft sung in orchards and fields in the Undying Lands for to encourage the spirits of the olvar. As she approached the forest, she noted the subtle harkening of the trees, an almost imperceptible canting of their boughs, and a straightening of their leaves.
Now being composed in Valinor, the words had been set down in Quenya, and this song was unknown to Celeborn and Beinvír. Still, Helluin was surprised when a clear voice joined hers, weaving a harmony that added complexity and fullness to the tune whilst magnifying its power. The vocal range was somewhat low, but the pitch was perfect. Just to confirm what her ears told her, she looked back and saw Galadriel singing, her phrasing flawless, and her voice pure as the notes of a golden harp. Helluin smiled her thanks with her eyes and received a glint of acknowledgement in return. She wouldn't actually have characterized it as a smile, but 'twas a start.
In response to their duet the trees straightened and seemed to stand taller, and they commenced a slight swaying in time with the song. Better still, it seemed the music pacified the spirits of tree and Huorn alike, and this indeed had been Helluin's hope, that by their voices, clear and Elven sweet, they should announce their goodwill to the forest.
After a mile Helluin let her voice trail off. Galadriel questioned her with a glance.
"'Tis about the borders mostly that the Huorns congregate to repel invaders," she explained, "and they have granted us their leave to pass, else we should not have come this far unhindered." The others nodded in understanding but couldn't help staring o'er their shoulders from time to time as they walked.
They were heading almost due east amidst the boles of great trees whose canopy closed o'erhead in a continuous roof of green. Like Fangorn, Greenwood was a mature forest, its trees full grown and spaced in harmony above a carpet of leafmould and mosses, and in damper spots, clustered ferns. There was very little underbrush to pick through, and for the most part their passage was unimpeded. Now they felt the cool stillness and the scent of loam, and the faint rustle of leaves far above. Unlike Fangorn, the way was not so dark, nor so dense, nor was there the heavy atmosphere of anticipation and tension. The Elves felt less closely watched, and much less ill at ease. The almost constant creaking of branch and root that permeated Fangorn was not to be heard; hither it seemed the wood was more at peace, more sleepy, and perhaps more content. The 'treeishness' that Treebeard had spoken of was diffused, for Greenwood was by far the most extensive forest in the northwest of Middle Earth.
Helluin led them onward through the afternoon and evening, and during that time they saw 'naught worthy of remark. What little wildlife the group encountered was mostly birds, or squirrels that fled up the trunks and into the branches, thither to stare down on them in curiosity 'til they passed. The birds ignored them, for they could not fly. When the dimness of nightfall o'ertook them, Helluin directed the group to an outcropping of quartz boulders that had been sifted to the surface by the slow churning action of mighty roots in the soil. The trees constantly stirred and gnawed the substrate, turning up all manners of inedible detritus, much as one spitting forth the seeds or pit of a fruit. Though aforetime Helluin had rested undisturbed where'er she'd liked, she had been alone then and basically ignorant of her peril, and whither one might pass as innocent, four together might be deemed a threat. And times were darker now. She would take no unnecessary chances with her companions.
"Must we lie thus upon rocks?" Celeborn asked, more out of curiosity than pique.
"Perhaps and perhaps not," Helluin answered, "but on this first night, I should be ruled by caution. In Fangorn many trees walked at night, and by camping amidst stones were we preserved from trampling. Hither I have not witnessed such…restlessness, yet neither had I seen Huorns at the border aforetime. Perhaps the times have changed things."
Celeborn and Galadriel looked at her with uncertainty. Her reputation for jest notwithstanding, neither had e'er known a forest to go on the move. Helluin shrugged.
"'Tis all too true," Beinvír said. "In Fangorn Forest the trees went about their business in the dark. I think perhaps business is less pressing here, but I shalt rest amidst the rocks tonight just the same." She proceeded to choose a spot and spread a pelt to cushion her repose. Beside her, Helluin set down her bag and weapons ere she found a comfortable niche and lay down upon a groundcloth made of many cat skins. Eventually, after some grumbling, their guests did likewise.
Many hours later, whilst darkness still ruled the wood, Galadriel sat bolt upright sensing some disturbance afoot. She nudged Celeborn with her elbow, then shook his shoulder to roust him. After he too sat up, they stared into the darkness, trying to pierce its curtains with their Elven sight. Sometime later Beinvír turned and then started up, feeling about on the ground nearby.
"Helluin," she hissed in the Noldo's ear. "Helluin, harken to me; something strange is afoot here 'bouts."
Helluin looked o'er the edge of her sleeping fur with one blue eye, glowing like a close-shrouded lamp. Roused now, she too could feel the activity in the ground 'neath them. She passed a hand 'cross the soil and came up with wriggling things.
"'Tis but the roots shifting and driving forth the earthworms," she muttered, "and now they surface all 'round us. Huh. They've not a foot amongst them. Go back to thy rest. They art more upset than we."
Beinvír grimaced at the thought but lay back down, edging closer to her friend in the dark. Nearby, Celeborn and Galadriel were gingerly picking up the night crawlers erupting from the soil 'neath them and flinging them hence beyond the rocks. It went on thus for several hours ere the ground finally settled.
Shortly later the sun began to rise at last and the company got up, shaking out stray worms and gathering their bags for their day's march. Galadriel gave Helluin one dirty look, obviously blaming her for the conditions. Celeborn appeared tired and disgusted more than wroth. Beinvír simply shook out her sleeping pelt, plucking off a fist-sized snail that she carefully set down amidst the rocks and shooed away. Helluin finger combed her hair, tossed out a couple of worms she found entangled there, and seeing the others ready, set out walking east without a word. It had been a strange night, but there was 'naught to be done about it as far as she was concerned.
"Be glad 'twas worms and not spiders," she muttered 'neath her breath sometime later. The others were trailing behind and had said 'naught to her since they'd started out. 'Twas 'nigh noon and they were three-quarters of the way from Anduin to Laiquadol. Abruptly Helluin stopped and sat down on a large exposed root. "'Tis time for lunch," she announced simply, and set about drawing forth foodstuffs from her bag.
Beinvír, accustomed to Helluin's moods, sat on the root beside her and drew forth a wineskin, then searched her bag and set out some small cakes she'd brought from Lórinand. After looking 'round trying to understand why Helluin had picked this spot, Galadriel and Celeborn joined them. Eventually they too proffered rations and joined in the meal.
"Dost thou anticipate yet another night of keeping such close company with the vermin of the wood," Galadriel asked at last after spitting out a prune pit. Helluin sighed.
"I have no expectations," she said, "and last night was indeed my first such acquaintance with Greenwood's kelvar. They art normally more discrete."
Galadriel shook her head. If not for her o'erriding desire to reach the enchanted stream she would ne'er have borne such base accommodations. 'Twas barbaric; akin to what she fancied life amongst the Avari would entail.
When night fell they were but three leagues from Laiquadol, but Helluin decided to camp out, for even were Oldbark at home, he would most likely be 'asleep' ere they arrived. So as not to become more of a nuisance than necessary, she found an outcropping of granite and guided her companions up onto it. The darkness descended, and at first all seemed tranquil. The Elves went to their rest, Celeborn and Galadriel in the highest possible spot, Helluin and Beinvír side by side in a comfortable depression a fathom away.
'Twas probably just past midnight when an ominous creaking and a rustling grew all about them in the dark. The activity spread rapidly and involved all the trees for some distance 'round about. It seemed that they were moving their branches together as if lashing at the wind rather than being lashed by it. The Elves lay silently amidst the disturbance, expecting something to happen, but having no idea what. Shortly later they were assailed by an o'erpowering ammoniacal stench fanned forth by the swishing leaves. Rest was impossible.
"What the…?" Celeborn managed to choke out.
Suddenly a large herd of hairy bodies burst forth from the darkness and literally o'erran their camp at great speed. Scuttling forms on many spindly legs fled o'er and 'twixt them with no regard for their presence. None paused or showed the least interest in them, acting rather as if the Elves were simply part of the landscape to be trampled in the haste of their scrabbling flight. The reek grew well 'nigh unbearable and stuck in their throats. 'Twas a frantic rout, an inexplicable stampeding of creatures by the trees. In the 'nigh pitch-black forest, the details had been impossible to make out in the confusion.
"Stay down," Helluin whispered to Beinvír, who had rolled o'er and was clasping at her whilst cringing in alarm. Helluin covered her friend's head as the last of the many frantic feet clattered past. Quite obviously this foul smelling horde was being driven in haste as cattle or sheep to a roundup. Afterwards the nearby trees immediately grew still and silent again, but the disturbance continued on in pursuit whither the creatures had fled. In the still air 'neath the canopy, the distasteful stench was far slower to dissipate.
"What in Udûn was that?" Galadriel demanded, already on her feet and pacing o'er. "Have thy friends hither taken to driving their herds by night? And herds of what, pray tell? Helluin, hast thou led us hither for thy mirth at our torment?" She asked suspiciously as she stood tapping her foot in irritation.
"No mirth have I enjoyed, O Princess," Helluin muttered, "for I too have missed the joke."
Helluin uncurled and released her hold on Beinvír, who sat up in confusion and stared into the woods whence the creatures had fled. Helluin too sat up and was about to answer when the rushing of the boughs resumed. All ducked down and cast their eyes about in apprehension. This time 'twas a large number of pale sacks being passed from tree to tree, flung and caught and flung again, and slung forcefully from branch to branch, following the earlier rush of creatures. This was barely discernible, and only because the branches parted at times to admit errant beams of pale light from Ithil o'erhead. The sacks were accompanied by the musty odor of long accumulated mildew and dust. Soon they too passed away into the distance and silence resumed. Helluin noted errant strands of coarse webbing drifting down and settling upon them from the branches above.
"T'would seem the forest has grown less patient with its tenants of late," she said, "and the trees have driven forth the spiders of Greenwood, banishing them along with their egg sacks as if they were but so much unwanted baggage. 'Tis very strange."
"Spiders! Spiders? They were big as sows," the princess shouted.
"Nay, truly. I deem most were but the size of kettles or dogs…those sorts of things," Helluin said, hoping to placate her. "'Tis but their legs that make them seem larger. Anyway, thou saw that none tarried from their flight. I am sure they were more terrified than we and art by now far away. Pray return to thy rest."
After Galadriel had stomped off and lain down, Beinvír spoke silently to Helluin, asking with uncertainty, thou say the forest had not been agitated thus in the past?
Indeed not, Helluin replied. They were lying face to face wrapped in their pelts.
Then whyfor now, dost thou think?
I have no idea, Helluin admitted, but perhaps Oldbark shalt enlighten me. He if any shalt know what passes in Greenwood…and I am very curious. Dost thou not think it strange fortune that such should befall us two nights in a row in so vast a place?
I do think so and I am indeed suspicious. At least no harm has befallen us thus far.
Nearby Celeborn and Galadriel lay with their eyes ceaselessly flicking to and fro through the dark, and neither could but wish to hasten the dawn.
When morning eventually arrived, (and Galadriel was certain that it had been somehow delayed), they picked off fallen cob webbing and went their way without even breaking their fasts. The princess would stand for no delays.
Beinvír walked beside Helluin, nibbling in a distracted manner on a stale roll that she'd found at the bottom of her bag. Celeborn and Galadriel were walking ahead of them.
"How far thither today, Helluin?" She asked. "Art we close to thy goal?"
"Indeed so," Helluin said, glancing up from habit, but unable to see the sun. "I should reckon no more than another league at most," she guessed hopefully.
She was worried about how to present her companions to Oldbark, and how to phrase Galadriel's request for the water from his enchanted stream. Of course the Onod considered it nothing of the sort, merely wholesome, nourishing water. She was still wondering about it when she marked a familiar presence ahead whom Celeborn and Galadriel had just obliviously walked past. She took Beinvír's hand and slowed her pace, catching the Green Elf's eyes and nodding ahead. They were greeted ere she could speak.
"Ohhh-hoooo…the wandering Elfling, come again to visit the old forest," Oldbark said in Sindarin, "I see you have brought company this time, Helluin Maeg-mórmenel of the Host of Finwë. What is your friend's name? The hasty version shall do for now," he asked, looking closely at Beinvír, who tried to smile back at him despite her nervousness. He twisted 'round to catch a glimpse of Celeborn and Galadriel who were still walking off, deeply engrossed in their conversation. After squinting at them and shaking his 'head', he asked, "and are the oblivious ones with you as well?"
"Indeed so," Helluin said, 'hastily'. She placed a reassuring hand on Beinvír's back and introduced her to the Onod. "This is Beinvír of the Laiquendi of Eriador, my friend and companion upon the road. The others art Celeborn, son of Galadhon, son of Elmo of Doriath, and Galadriel, daughter of Finarfin, son of Finwë."
"Greetings, Beinvír of the Laiquendi, friend and companion on the road of Helluin." He gave the Green Elf a smile ere he continued. "Soooo…a prince and a princess now travel with you, Helluin. It would seem you have come up in the world." Helluin noted a quick flick of his right eyelid that might possibly have been a wink. Her own eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Some 'rumors' I have heard from across the river concerning them," he revealed, "and yet more tidings from the near bank. The trees there thank you for the song, and so I thought it only proper to do some…umm, housecleaning, in preparation for their arrival."
To his credit, he said all that with a straight face. Helluin groaned and Beinvír giggled.
"So 'twas thee who rousted forth the spiders?" Beinvír asked, still chuckling.
"Yes. Such smelly creatures and so ill-mannered," Oldbark said, "always sniping and backtalking…not at all suitable company for royalty to encounter. Had they presented themselves with their usual comportment it would have reflected poorly on Greenwood Forest and I should have been mortified. I did well to disperse them don't you think?"
"I suppose so," Helluin agreed. The spiders had been e'er snide in her meetings with them, lying to her and taunting her from the safety of the trees as she walked the forest.
"And so art they now gone thither for good?" Beinvír asked. "And gone whither?"
"They have been encouraged north, to join their kin for a time near the Emyn Duir," he said with a cunning grin.
Driven north into the kingdom of Oropher and Thranduil no doubt, Helluin thought, and I am sure thou shalt soon enjoy word of their aggravation at being thus afflicted.
"Of course they shall eventually migrate back," Oldbark sighed. "I cannot permanently expel them into other lands, and in truth, I need them in the forest for pest control." At Beinvír's questioning glance he explained, "how else am I to keep the squirrels and other rodents in manageable numbers?" At this she nodded.
Oldbark smiled at Beinvír's understanding. Then he turned to where he had last seen Celeborn and Galadriel and let forth a piercing whistle. Several moments later the couple rejoined them, looking annoyed.
"What now, Helluin?" Celeborn asked.
"Whyfor art thou summoning us hither as dogs to thy whistle? Dost thou now regard us as hounds?" Galadriel asked, fixing her eyes on Helluin. She noted that the Noldo and her companion were standing still, a short distance away beyond a great tree, regarding it as if seeking counsel. Their behavior added to her growing store of irritation. "Hast thou tarried 'nigh, seeking yet more wisdom from the trees? Honestly, Helluin, have we not a goal to reach ere another night of frenzy and discomfort befalls us? Worms, spiders, and now trees. I deem thou art stalling. Enough! Come, we shalt go forth at last to our destination."
"Sincerely do I apologize for the worms, my Lady," Oldbark said, turning to face the couple and presenting his most courtly manner, "for they art but shallow creatures and have little sense of propriety. Yet what realm is without its dullards, its knaves, and its scoundrels?" Here he sighed and shook his 'head' much as any other harried and put upon monarch, then sketched a stiff bow to the royals. "I am Oldbark, Lord of Calenglad i'Dhaer. Rest assured that thy vassals," here he indicated Helluin and Beinvír with a partial nod, "have lodged suitable complaints regarding thy…hmmmmm, comfort."
For a moment Galadriel's expression tightened in disbelief, then she opted for a more gracious mien and gave Oldbark a formal curtsy. Beside her, Celeborn bowed. Helluin tried hard not to roll her eyes at their manners, since Oldbark was humoring them by making the more formal his speech. She thanked the Onod silently for trying to absolve her of blame, but she noted that Oldbark had said 'naught regarding the spiders.
"I am sure 'tis but an occurrence of ill providence and casts no reflection upon thy rule, my Lord," Galadriel said graciously, also not mentioning the spiders. "Honored art Prince Celeborn and I to enjoy the peace of thy forest. Long it hath been since last we walked in so great a wood, and longer still since any amongst our peoples have met with a Lord of the Onodrim."
"Ummm-hmmmm, 'tis so indeed. Long Ages it hath been since any of Finwë's folk save Helluin came hither 'neath the boles," Oldbark agreed. "Some of Lord Olwë and Lord Elwë's folk have come hither at whiles, and indeed to the north lies the realm of King Oropher. He was known to thee upon a time, I believe, for he hath mentioned ye both."
"So we have heard from Lord Amdír of Lórinand yonder 'cross Anduin," Celeborn said, "for at first he had joined Oropher in his realm ere returning to the mellyrn wood. Ere that, he was with us in Eregion, yon Hithaeglir. I hope his realm is at peace."
Oldbark nodded and hummed a wordless approval of the sentiments. The kingdom of Oropher had been well when last he had been 'nigh. He, howe'er, was more curious about the 'rumors' he had heard from 'cross the river, and in particular regarding the Lady.
"My Lord," Galadriel said, sensing the Onod's interest in her and hoping the tidings of her behavior in Lórinand had not come to him enlarged by gossip and grown to mythic proportions in the telling. "Helluin has provided some tidings of thy realm, and there is a matter about which I would seek thy counsel…"
"Indeed there is a matter in which I should seek thine, and I am thankful to Helluin for her timely conveyance of thee hither," Oldbark countered. He looked at Galadriel carefully, actually making her feel uncomfortable 'neath his scrutiny. Being as he was her host, Galadriel tipped her head, bidding him continue. "I hope thou can aid me, for it seems an affliction has come upon my home. Laiquadol is stricken with baldness."
For several moments the Elves were silent in confusion. The Onod turned east, gesturing with a sweep of his 'arm' so that the boughs there obediently parted enough to reveal a vista of a tall, partially barren hill. The company was little more than a mile away from it now.
"Something is causing to die all that grows upon the heights above my hall," Oldbark said sadly, "leaving so far all else untouched. It saddens me to see it blighted thus." He turned back to Galadriel and the branches shifted back into place, closing the window on stricken Laiquadol. "I sense you possess a power, my Lady, which I hope may offer some remedy."
Now Helluin thought this farfetched at best. Galadriel had shown herself the least adapted to life in the forest and was most adapted to the city. Whyfor should she be able to cure the mange of the wood? Ne'ertheless, she held her peace and listened. The princess was seriously considering Oldbark's request; her focus turned within as if assessing her potential strength.
"Lead me thither, my Lord, and I shalt do what I can," Galadriel told the Onod. There was determination in her voice, Helluin noted. It seemed that she at least believed that she could do some good. The group turned to make their way to Oldbark's halls.
To Be Continued