In An Age Before - Part 33
In early Gwaeron, (March), S.A. 1695, the first warnings came from a company of Sindar passing 'nigh Glanduin in southern Minhiriath. The season for campaigning had begun with winter just past, and now as of old 'twas the time of year for war. The Sindar had seen clouds of dust rising in the distance, from the pass 'twixt the Hithaeglir and the Ered Nimrais. It had made them suspicious and tense with foreboding, but when they'd gone to investigate, the reality had been yet worse than anything they had imagined. Rather than companies of Enedwaith as they'd expected, they had seen a host of Yrch, the Glamhoth vanguard of a great army bent on invasion. They had fled in terror lest outriders or scouts catch them and they become a meal.
Splitting into two bands allowed the Sindar to bear tidings to both the nearest Elvish settlement and to their lord, Círdan. Their words had come to Eregion a few days later. Within a week the report had been heard in Mithlond and Lindon as well. In Ost-In-Edhil, Celebrimbor immediately sent word to Khazad-dûm, and from there the alarm passed to King Amdír in Lórinand, whither Celeborn and Galadriel had stayed after returning from Greenwood.
The warning spread too amongst such other free peoples of Eriador, Men, other wandering Sindar, and such of the scattered Laiquendi as could be found. Sauron was invading! His armies had left Mordor and come northwest at last. Reaching Lindon at almost the same time as the hastening Sindar came mariners, Nandor out of Belfalas, telling of a great march of at least two hosts out of the Black Land. They had issued from the Morannon, marching from Udûn with great store of weapons and gear, and wagons loaded with provisions, crossing Anduin at Cair Andros and making their way thence westward through the open lands just north of the White Mountains. The vanguard of Glamhoth alone had numbered 25,000. The main host was at least twice that count, and in it marched many Easterling Men. And they came on as if the whips of Mordor were at their backs.
Having known for a century that Sauron would attack still left the peoples of Eriador unprepared for the swiftness of the onslaught. In Lindon, Gil-galad frantically called for all his people to assemble, already knowing Eregion would be besieged ere he could come to their aid. In desperation he dispatched Elrond to reinforce Celebrimbor, leading thither every warrior who could be horsed within two days. 'Twas scarcely two thousand cavalry, and they had a ride of 'nigh on 265 leagues ere they came to the battle.
The same night he heard the news, the High King took pen and parchment, and he wrote the plea that he had long anticipated sending. A rider delivered the missive to Mithlond with greatest haste, nearly running three horses to death to cover the 70 leagues from Forlond. At noon the next day, Gil-galad stood with Gildor and Glorfindel, watching as a grey ship plied the waters of the Gulf of Lune, heading west to Númenor. Well 'nigh a fortnight sailing to reach Rómenna, he thought, weeks to mobilize, and then at least a week for their armada to return. Then they too must ride east to Eregion. We must hold the Enemy for closer to a season ere their strength can avail us in battle. Rather, t'would be five long years ere the King's Ships landed on the Hither Shores.
Whilst Gil-galad worried about strategy and counted allies, Glorfindel wondered whereat his old friend might be. War had come again, and amongst the Host of Gondolin there had been none so fell, nor so fearsome to the enemy, as Helluin Maeg-mórmenel. Deep down the high king feared her; Glorfindel had sensed this, and though Gil-galad seldom mentioned Helluin, that fact alone proved his point. With a war looming, she should have been a regular member of his counsel and certainly a part of his army. She was neither.
The Lord of the House of the Golden Flower suspected that Helluin and Beinvír were wandering Eriador somewhere as was their habit, and he hoped they were far from the invasion force. And most of all he hoped Beinvír was safe. Much as he had come to like the elleth, he feared for her safety because of what her death would do to his old friend.
I would bathe this world in blood to avenge her. This he believed without doubt.
More than 300 Yrch and a dozen Tor had died by her hand in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and that during the fourth day and half of the fifth, the only span in which the Gondolindrim had fought on the field. There the darkness had possessed Helluin, driving her to a level of violence previously unimaginable to the Eldar. She had neither rested, nor supped, and she had ignored all orders. Lost in the depths of her wrath, she had known only her bloodlust, her sword, and the enemy. All because the malice of Fëanor and his sons had led to her younger brother's death 490 years aforetime. 1,840 years later her own king feared her because of the old stories about her mania. Glorfindel shook his head and went to his chambers to check again the arms and armor he had brought from the Blessed Realm.
In fact Helluin and Beinvír had been encamped upon the South Downs, and from those heights they had espied the hastening Sindar bearing word of the invasion to Eregion. Such a thing, eight Grey Elves fleeing east as if pursued, was not to be ignored. Helluin and Beinvír had quickly marched to intercept them. On 10 Gwaeron, (March 10th), they met the band upon the road, 50 miles northwest of the confluence of the Mitheithel and Glanduin. The Sindar were well 'nigh in panic and they shied at seeing the two Elves standing before them in the middle of the road. Helluin hailed them when they stopped 30 yards away and reached for their weapons.
"Hail and well met, my friends. Whither dost thy haste take thee?" She asked.
"Stand not before us, nor stay us from our urgency, stranger," the foremost of them called out as the others fitted arrows to their bows, "our errand cannot wait."
Helluin moved her armored figure before Beinvír, making herself a shield in case they fired, but the Green Elf had an arrow in her own bow trained on the leader's right eye.
"I seek not to stay thee, only to ask whether any assistance I might offer," Helluin replied, "therefore I pray thee, stand down. If thou art pursued by foes we may aid thee. I am Helluin Maeg-mórmenel of the Host of Finwë, friend to Círdan and Gil-galad and Celebrimbor. Thou know me, or know of me, I wager. But if thou fire upon us I shalt surely slay thee all and thy errand shalt die with thee."
The Grey Elves quickly whispered amongst themselves and then relaxed their bows but lowered them not. Again the leader spoke.
"We have heard of thee indeed, but none here know thee. Yet if thou truly art Helluin Maeg-mórmenel, show us thy weapons, for by them we shalt know thee indeed."
Here Helluin drew Anguirél and lifted the Sarchram from her waist. The black blade spoke as she held it up, its heartless voice ringing 'cross the distance to the ears of the Grey Elves who shuddered to hear it.
"Dost thou offer me the blood of these Sindar, O Helluin? I have tasted 'naught of it since Avernien and gladly shalt I drink of it now."
And the Grave Wing said, "and so too shalt I drive their fëar unto the Void."
So horrified were the Sindar that one even dropped the arrow from his trembling fingers. The leader lowered his bow and the others followed.
"Indeed we art pursued, but so too art all in this land, and no aid can thou give against this enemy's numbers. We hasten to Eregion to bring tidings to Lord Celebrimbor. The armies of Sauron art come upon us and we have seen their vanguard not two days past. I pray thee, delay us no longer from our errand."
At his words Helluin replaced her weapons and Beinvír lowered her bow. Both were shocked by the words they'd heard. So, Sauron had come at last.
"Whereat did thou see them? In what direction do they march? Of what kinds were they? By thy guess, what was their count?" Helluin asked by reflex.
"Two days past we saw legions of the Glamhoth of Morgoth entering Enedwaith, issuing from the pass 'twixt Hithaeglir and Ered Nimrais. They were turning north, skirting the foothills of Methedras and moving fast. 'Twas a host as of old…as in the Elder Days."
"Two days ago," Helluin mused to Beinvír, "and now they art perhaps 65 or 70 leagues from Ost-In-Edhil. A ten-day march and another day to order their companies for battle. They shalt first assail Eregion. Sauron comes for the Rings." She turned to her friend who was wide-eyed at the Grey Elves' tidings and said, "come, let us stand aside for these messengers. No aid against such numbers can we give as would change the final outcome."
Then she called forth to the Sindar, "hasten ye upon your way for your tidings must be heard. Thy pardon I beg for delaying ye thus. Pray tell, has word been sent hence to Lindon as well?"
The leader called out in answer, "indeed the other half of our company even now hastens to warn those in Lindon. They should come to Círdan in Harlond in four days."
Helluin and Beinvír had moved to the side of the road and the Sindar approached them warily. The Elves nodded to each other in acknowledgment as they passed, but none on either side smiled in warmth of greeting. Soon the Grey Elves were out of sight and the quiet peace of the land resumed. The two friends stood alone as if the meeting had been but a dream.
Now would be a good time to be in Númenor, Beinvír said silently to Helluin as she caught her eyes, perhaps thy king has just such an errand upon which to send thee?
No doubt, Helluin replied, but t'would be to Eregion, I wager, or perhaps to Mordor as a spy. I think I shalt keep well clear of Lindon for a century or two, meldis nín. Sauron shalt assail first Ost-In-Edhil, then Lindon. He hath come for the Three, no doubt. Only an idiot would look elsewhere, and Gorthaur is no fool.
So then whither shalt we go?
To Ost-In-Edhil, of course, Helluin said with a glint in her eye. Beinvír's eyes widened in alarm. Helluin gave her a reassuring grin. We shalt be there but a few hours at most, days ahead of the enemy, and only to convince Celebrimbor to leave. I am in part guilty of setting him on his course towards ring making and the empowerment of objects, for the Sarchram was the first. I cannot leave him to Sauron. You see, Celebrimbor shalt think himself safe so long as he withholds the secret of the disposition of the Three, and he might even believe Sauron values his mastery in crafts. But Sauron shalt slay him, for he values him not, having already exceeded him in craft, and of the Three, he shalt soon guess whereat they reside. He goes only to make sure they abide not still in Eregion.
Helluin and Beinvír came to Ost-In-Edhil in the evening of 13 Gwaeron and found it in a panic. The gate was closed tight and the guards held them at arrow point, demanding their names and business from the ramparts above the gate arch. When they were finally admitted, they discovered that they had been preceded by the Sindar only two hours afore. These were in the White Tower, speaking with Celebrimbor. Helluin demanded audience with the Lord of Eregion, but had to be satisfied when the Captain of the Guard sent a messenger thither.
If he doth not make haste I shalt slay him myself and no worries of facing Gorthaur shalt he need, Helluin fumed silently.
Peace, my friend, Beinvír said, trying to sooth her.
If we cannot see him this eve, I shalt take thee and make haste northwest. I shalt not tarry hither whilst Sauron's army draws 'nigh. This city is a death trap. If these guards try to constrain me I shalt wash these walls with their blood.
She got up and began pacing to and fro, making the guards yet more nervous. Beinvír sighed and sat still, closing her eyes and letting her mind float off into a memory of the land of Nisimaldar in far off Númenor. She remained thus absent for some time. Finally, after another hour, during which Helluin had taken to upsetting the guards even further by performing sword drills in the courtyard outside the guardhouse, the messenger returned with word from Celebrimbor, summoning Helluin and Beinvír hence at once.
About damn time, Helluin chaffed as she strode through the streets toward the White Tower. Beside her, Beinvír hastened to keep up, and the guard accompanying them was practically running. When they arrived, Helluin pushed her way past the herald at the door, at this point caring nothing for protocol. It seemed Celebrimbor was of like mind.
"I know who she is," he called out in a harried tone. "Helluin, ne'er have I been so glad to see thee. Thy arrival is too timely to be coincidence. I wager thou know'st our peril?"
"I know thy peril indeed," Helluin began whilst still some yards away, "and Eregion would likely be ignored were thou absent. Sauron comes for thee and thy treasure. 'Tis time to leave, son of Curufin."
She had made her way to face him, Beinvír a step behind, watching as the two Noldor looked each other in the eyes, speaking their secrets in silence.
Thou know I cannot leave, Helluin, though thy counsel be sound. Were it not for the Three, Sauron would assail Lindon for to deprive our people of their king. And thither he should recover two, whereas coming hither he shalt recover none. I find I am the decoy.
Thy ploy shalt buy but scant time, Celebrimbor. Surely thou can see that? He need only find thou hast them not ere he slay thee and make thence his war upon Gil-galad. Thy life and the lives of thy folk shalt buy the king a month at most. Weeks more likely. Hardly worthwhile.
Helluin, I have four, maybe five days ere Ost-In-Edhil is laid under siege and Eregion invested. 'Tis not time enough to evacuate all. Some at least must stand and fight, delaying Sauron so the rest can make good their flight. Surely thou can see that?
I do not! Thy folk, all who would consent, can hasten to Khazad-dûm, and thence to Rhovanion and Greenwood should there be no welcome for so many in Lórinand. The West Gate thou wrought with Narvi stands but a day's march east. Thou hast friends thither who would admit thee, and beyond Hithaeglir yet more friends who would succor thee and thy people. Go, I pray thee.
And bring down Gorthaur upon those innocent realms yonder? Nay! I shalt not lead the Cruel One to the Doors of Durin! I have too great a love for its people. Neither shalt I lead him thence to the free realms of Amdír or Oropher. His war is upon the Noldor…and upon me.
His war is upon all in Middle Earth who bow not to him! Hath it not always been thus? 'Twas so with his master in Beleriand! The fall of thy realm is the start; the thralldom of all is the end. He shalt come against every realm in his time, whether thou live or die this day. Choose life! Flee, Celebrimbor, live to fight another day.
Helluin, I cannot. At last all the logic and reasoning went out of the argument and finally they spoke of the real reasons for the decision he had made. Would thou leave behind all the achievements of thy life to prolong it yet a while? Would thou leave behind that which thou love and which shalt ne'er be again? Would thou live on in a world diminished by the loss of all thou hold dear? I shalt not. Rather would I die defending my own and bow not to Sauron by giving him leave to separate me from my heart without contest. Helluin, thou know some things made once cannot be made again, even were the same hand to essay the task, for the heart of the creator is in them and can only be given once, much as to each child in a family is a measure of love given unto that child alone. I understand at last my grandfather's doom.
And he was wrong, Celebrimbor! Fëanor brought doom not only upon himself, but also upon all his family, nay, upon all his people, for that love of which thou speak. Join him not upon that path, my friend! I pray thee. Despite irreplaceable loss, thou shalt craft great works in the years ahead, and thou shalt not save those thou hast made aforetime by staying. Please….
But Celebrimbor shook his head. He looked once more into Helluin's eyes and said, a long road we have trod from that day when thou threatened to slay me should I betray thy friends 'neath the mountains, eh, meldis nín? We have come to know much of one another in the last millennium. Fear not for me, Helluin. My life has been in the works of my hands. My spirit has flowed hence and I am thus diminished. To me, all else now appears grey, no longer bright and fresh; for me, Arda has paled. I know thou feel some responsibility for the path onto which I have ventured. Much of my later direction was presaged in the creation of thy Sarchram, was it not? He gave her a sad smile.
At this, Helluin could only nod in agreement and lower her eyes in shame. But Celebrimbor reached out to her and lifted her chin so she again looked him in the eyes.
No fault do I ascribe to thee, Helluin, though Gil-galad may deem it otherwise. He chuckled. As for me, I honor thee for all thou hast done. Thou paved the way for my friendship with the Naugrim, my allies and brothers in craft, and thou inspired the creation of my greatest works. No craftsman could ask more of a patron. And yet thou tried to warn me of Annatar too, and now thou hast come hither, despite thy own peril, to try to convince me to flee…to save my life though I have led our enemy to us with war. I bid thee flee, Helluin. Save thyself and thy beloved. Thou hast yet many battles to fight.
In that moment, Helluin knew Celebrimbor would ne'er leave Ost-In-Edhil alive. She would find no argument to sway him. More like to his grandfather in the end was he than any had suspected. The thought made her sad. Perhaps in another world, she would hath felt such sympathy for Fëanor too. Yet whereas Fëanor had been violent in his passions and had cared little for others, his grandson was even-tempered and considerate, though no less decisive. He was much easier to like and much more deserving of respect. Helluin nodded to him, accepting his decision and he sighed with relief.
"If there art any ready to take flight from the city, I would beseech thee to lead them hence, for few know the ways of Eriador as do thou," Celebrimbor said, "but tarry not awaiting their preparations, my friend. Convey hence only those already prepared to leave."
"I shalt do so, my friend," Helluin said. For the last time she clasped his hand and found his grip firm and steady. "Perhaps we shalt meet someday upon the Further Shores."
He offered her a smile, saying, "I shalt await thee, for I deem thy tale shalt be long and interesting to hear." Then he turned to speak with others concerning the defense.
To Be Continued