In An Age Before – Part 37
Chapter Twenty-six
The Laiquendi Turn the Tide, Eriador - The Second Age of the Sun
Summer passed to autumn. Slowly Helluin became less morbid, and Beinvír became less withdrawn. Elrond was happy with their progress.
Winter came early to the highland moors with snow falling in early Hithui, (November), and carpeting the hidden valley deep in white. Now the silence that falls with snow hushed the retreat, and in that frosty air sounds were muffled close to hand, yet carried far from a distance. The two friends went out hiking, for both reveled in the unspoiled white, and they made their way to the meadow beyond the Ford of Bruinen. About them the outer guard was hidden, both upon the red cliffs and 'nigh the defile leading into that land, and so they felt safe.
In the afternoon Helluin heard the clop of horses' hooves from beyond the narrow way, and the guards readied themselves above that passage. Helluin and Beinvír lowered themselves into the snow, disappearing in the manner of her people and becoming impossible to discern, even by the guards who knew of their presence.
Soon the sounds of the horses grew clear, riding up the path to the entrance of Imladris. Bows were readied and swords drawn. The riders entered the slot canyon 'twixt the cliffs. Three they art and unwary, Helluin thought, trading a glance with Beinvír and sharing her insight. The Green Elf nodded in agreement; their horses' paces show no hesitation, no duress, she replied.
Midway through the passage, when neither flight nor attack could outpace their arrows, the guards challenged the riders.
"Declare thyself, strangers, or thy lives art forfeit!"
The hoof beats stopped and after a short silence a voice, Elven fair, called out in answer.
"I am Celebgorch¹, a scout of the Laiquendi, and with me come my brothers, Lumorn and Ringlamb². We art messengers at large bearing tidings from the king in Lindon to any of the Elven kindred we may find," the rider declared. ¹(Celebgorch, "Silver Crow" = celeb (silver) + corch (crow) Sindarin) ²(Lumorn, "Shade Tree" = lumb (shade) + orn (large tree), and Ringlamb, "Cold Tongue" = ring (cold) + lamb (tongue) Sindarin)
"Dismount and proceed afoot through the cutting to its end." The guard captain ordered.
The three had walked their horses through the defile and stood at the top of the meadow whilst the guards came to lead them hence to the ford. They were dressed alike in grey cloaks, stained and worn from long travel. Straightaway they were brought to Elrond's study to wait for the Lord of Imladris.
"I want thee present when these scouts art heard," Elrond told the two friends, "for none know of this place, and to ride hither is very suspicious to me."
"To me as well," said Beinvír, "for my people seldom ride."
"Nor do they wear cloaks of grey," Helluin observed.
Elrond stopped at their words and then said, "arm thyselves quickly and rejoin me."
Helluin and Beinvír had nodded, and after retrieving their weapons, followed the Lord of Imladris into his study. The three visitors were seated before his desk. They had put off their cloaks and were attired in tunics, trousers, and boots. The three bore identical gear, swords in scabbards, and daggers sheathed upon their belts. They eyed Helluin and Beinvír uneasily when they took up positions to either side of Elrond's chair.
"Ye have come hither at great peril and I would hear your tidings," Elrond said, "how stands the war?"
"My Lord," Celebgorch began, "we have been sent by the king in Lindon to spread his plea for such aid as any may give. The war goes badly. Eriador is fallen. Gorthaur's forces have driven before them all the Eldar, even unto the River Lhûn. Now the armies encamp upon opposite sides of the water for winter. Sauron has taken to himself the title, Hír en Ambar¹, and when spring comes, he shalt crush the last of those standing against him. From mariners out of Belfalas we have heard in Lindon of the coming of yet another host out of Mordor, Easterling Men who even now march toward Anduin, and shalt thence come to the battle in spring." ¹(Hír en Ambar, "Lord of the Earth" Hír(lord) + en (the) + Am(b)ar (Earth, gen. const..) Sindarin)
"Save fugitives, a few wandering companies, and thyself, no others stand in defiance of Sauron, my Lord," Ringlamb said, "and when Lindon has fallen, thence shalt Sauron come hither."
"And what of Númenor," Elrond asked. "Has no word come of them? Have no tidings of the Dúnedain been heard?"
"'Naught has been heard, my Lord," Lumorn said shaking his head. "Now even Gil-galad's hope of their sailing to the Hither Shores in time fades."
Elrond hung his head. His brother's people, it seemed, had deserted them. For a moment he wondered what could have kept them from coming after the promises Vëantur had spoken in 600. Words of friendship, and of blood debts to one day be repaid; an alliance reiterated by Aldarion and Tar-Anárion, Tar-Telperiën and Tar-Minastir. In an Age before their ancestors had e'er been the staunchest of allies to the Eldar. Why had the Dúnedain not come? Elrond sighed.
Beside him Helluin thought on the past as well. In Beleriand all had seemed lost ere the Valar came forth with the Host of Aman, thence to do battle upon Morgoth and o'erthrow his rule. Middle Earth had been saved from the fate of e'erlasting thralldom 'neath the hand of the Great Enemy when Eärendil had sailed thither to the Blessed Realm bearing the Silmaril and his petition.
Now it seemed to her that the peoples of Middle Earth stood upon the brink of defeat yet again. Sauron was but one last victory from his supremacy upon the Hither Shores. Yet this time no mariner would come into the West. No token from Mortal Lands would serve as a beacon of doom and move the Valar to mercy. And yet the Powers had sent forth Glorfindel, reborn to aid in contesting Sauron's conquest of Middle Earth. Why? If all were to fall before the Darkness, why had they sent forth such a bright and heroic spirit from their lands of peace unto these lands of war? It made no sense.
None had spoken for some moments, and now the first messenger begged the Lord of Imladris for his counsel.
"Wilt thou send none forth, Master Elrond?" Celebgorch asked. "Wilt thou not muster thy forces and ride forth against the army of our Enemy? In days to come, little wilt thy hidden valley avail thee should all else fall. He shalt seek thee in malice unconstrained, and suffer thy folk to his torment. Wilt thou abandon thy king and thy people yet fighting upon the field?"
Elrond choked at his words. He was loyal to Gil-galad, as was a son to his father. None upon Middle Earth commanded the Peredhel's love in greater measure. And yet to preserve his people in Imladris he had moved not to war when Sauron's forces had marched south. He had remained in his hidden valley still when they had pushed west. In becoming the lord of a people, he had sought their safety first, but now he was torn 'twixt his duty as a lord and his fealty to his liege. Would he ride to war and lead thence to their doom all his people? Would he hunker down amongst the mountains, coming not to battle, no better than the Dúnedain, who, it seemed, had abandoned them? Would he return to the war, to his king, though all hope seemed lost, or would he remain hidden for a time, awaiting in his chosen place the final assault of the Great Enemy? In the anguish of indecision he turned and looked Helluin in the eyes.
I am unable to decide the course of this fell choice, for by action or inaction shalt I and my people be doomed, he said silently.
Oft 'tis such a choice thrust upon a lord, my friend, Helluin replied, and for thy counsel I have little to offer. My choice would be made for myself alone, for no lord am I, yet were the question put before me, I should ride forth to battle, for I know no other way.
Elrond turned then to Beinvír and the same question was in his eyes.
My Lord Elrond, I have seen the battles of Eriador and they art terrible, the Green Elf silently replied, and indeed hope seems lost. Yet I wonder not about the message, but rather about the messengers. These name themselves Laiquendi, and yet they art not of my kindred. My people seldom ride, and ne'er in lands filled with foes, and they have not attached themselves as errand riders to thy king. These bear swords, but carry not one bow amongst them, and they cloak themselves in grey as do the Sindar. I am very suspicious, not of the tidings so much as the timing, for thy choice may 'naught but deliver thy people to slaughter. If thou come forth, then Sauron need not hunt thee. Indeed he may turn upon thee and destroy thee ere spring, whilst from 'cross the Lune, Gil-galad shalt be powerless to aid thee, as thou shalt be powerless to come to him. I should stay hither yet a while.
Her words brought a narrowing of Elrond's brows, and suspicion rose within him.
If these came hither from the Enemy, then no longer is Imladris hidden. Sauron has divined the place of our abiding and only time preserves us yet a while, he said to the Green Elf, who nodded in agreement.
"Whence come thee," Beinvír asked the messengers, "from what company did thou join the muster of Eriador?"
"Why, from the company of our king," Lumorn said, "and loath he was to dispatch us to Lindon into the service of another lord."
At his words, Helluin moved, flinging the Sarchram and hewing off their heads. A rippling effect, as of a reflection broken by a stone cast into a pool, encompassed the three dead. Elrond recoiled in horror and Beinvír gasped. But the bodies that collapsed upon the floor were not those of Elves, and the blood that spilled from the stumps of their necks was black.
Dálindir, last King of the Laiquendi, was long lost and no king reigned o'er the Green Elves.
"Foul arts of Sauron!" Elrond shouted in horror as he leapt up from his chair. At the commotion a detail of soldiers burst into the room with drawn swords.
"Send word to triple the guard upon the pass," Elrond ordered his warriors, "and send others to remove these bodies."
The guards nodded and hastened forth, calling out to others as they hustled through the hallway. Soon many voices could be heard raising the alarm, and many feet moving with haste. Helluin wiped clean the Grave Wing.
"'Tis a fell power Gorthaur wields, to maintain such an illusion at so great a distance," Helluin observed. "Perhaps 'tis the power of his Ring that enhances his own werecraft. They certainly looked like Elves." She nudged one of the dead, rolling it onto its back with her toe. 'Twas definitely the corpse of an Orch.
"Sauron has attempted to entrap thee," Beinvír stated, "and only fortune has preserved thee. I should now wonder what next he shalt attempt."
"One thing of value has come of this," Helluin said, "for I deem these messengers spoke true on the state of the war. Indeed I should be not surprised if he spoke through them, they being but the feet to bring hence his voice. It goes well for their master, and he who controlled them would be wont to brag, presenting the truth all the more for our despair. Dire now must be the position of Gil-galad."
Afterwards Helluin thought much on the status of the war. Though Gil-galad had refused to summon her years aforetime, Helluin still felt that she should aid the plight of her people, and now more so than e'er, for their fate seemed to encompass the plight of all free peoples. Indeed whether her aid was given to the high king in Lindon, or to the other enemies of Sauron, she deemed 'twas the responsibility of all who were able to act. There might come no second chance. And yet beyond this feeling was a growing certainty that aid would come and Sauron would be defeated. Good and evil had contested in each movement of the Ainur's Song…but evil had ne'er won! As the days passed and her hope grew, Helluin became more and more convinced that her place was in battle. When spring came she would march again to war if it found them not first in Imladris. With the other Eldar she waited, and she wondered what to tell Beinvír.
In the wake of Sauron's agents, no attack came. In truth, the Enemy was content to concentrate upon defeating the king's forces ere he turned east to finish with Elrond. Had his false messengers succeeded in drawing Elrond out, he would have capitalized on the opportunity to destroy the Elven forces at his back, but the loss of that possibility hindered not his plans. Spring would bring the fall of Gil-galad, early summer the extermination of the company in Imladris, and by autumn, Lórinand would be invested. By the next winter he would hold all the Rings of Power. 'Twas but a short time to wait ere the achievement of his designs.
Along with his infiltration of Imladris, Sauron had reaped valuable information. Not only had the three thralls been mouthpieces for his voice, but they had been ears for him to hear with and eyes for him to see through. He had marked the presence of those of his enemies that they had seen, and this allowed him to remove these from his roster of potential threats. Helluin, Elrond, and Celeborn would trouble him not in the spring.
In mid-Nínui, (February), the weather gave the first hint of the warmth to come. Snowmelt swelled the Bruinen and first white uilos¹ of the new year raised their pale blossoms. In another month, the opposing armies would break camp and reengage, for the campaigning season would open. And for Helluin, 'twas now or ne'er. ¹(Uilos, Evermind, Sindarin. A low growing, white, star-shaped flower that blooms in all seasons; seen on the sward between the 4th and 5th Gates of Gondolin by Tuor. May be synonymous with Simbelmyrnë. UT, OTaHCtG, pg. 48)
"I want you to remain hither, beloved. Thy part in this war is done."
"Yet thou shalt go forth again, when there is little hope for 'aught but defeat. Indeed, 'twixt thee and the battle lie all the hosts of the Enemy. There is 'naught thou can accomplish, I deem, save thine own destruction."
"Nay, 'tis not so. Long ago did I spy out passages through these lands that Sauron knows not. I can make my way thither to Lindon unseen, and all the easier for thy lessons. In doing so I can bring to the king such reports from behind the enemy lines as he can gain in no other way. Yet more, I may wreck some havoc on my own part."
"Still 'tis a hopeless quest. What if thou indeed come to Lindon unscathed? Only to join in a defeat shalt thou have come."
"I wonder…if such is indeed our doom, why then did the Valar send forth Glorfindel from Aman? Whyfor did he come, if only to the downfall of his people? Nay. I feel there shalt be more ahead than our defeat."
"That what? That Númenor shalt come at last? Helluin, thou art hopeful, aye, but do not deceive thyself that the deliverance of the First Age shalt come again. Once only can such a doom be wrested by a host out of the west. In this lesser time, perhaps 'tis the rule of Darkness and Shadow that is ahead, for so it seems to me."
"Perhaps Númenor shalt indeed come at last. Some ill chance certainly befell them, for I doubt not the resolve of our allies, nor the capability of their ships. We came hither from Rómenna, passing but four days upon the water. Something happened five years ago; I am sure of it. For no other reason would they deny our call. Yet in the time since, perhaps they have o'ercome whatsoe'er ill-fate withheld their aid from us. I have faith that help shalt come."
"Dost thou truly believe thus?"
"I do, because of the Song. I deem t'will be a lesser host out of the west that shalt wrest victory from a lesser evil."
And looking into Helluin's eyes, Beinvír rejoiced, for she saw the light and the clear blue she had once known, not the raging darkness or obsessive malice of the last few years. Therein too lay her conviction in her belief.
"Must thou go now, when at last thou hast finally become thyself again?"
"Aye, for not only do I believe in the deliverance of the free peoples from Sauron, but my king needs the aid of his subjects too. 'Twas truth amidst the messengers' lies."
"Not at the start did Gil-galad seek thy service. Now when no summons has come, wilt thou answer such as thou would hear despite his silence?"
"I am sure his heart calls out to any that will listen, but he hath no way to project so far his voice. In this too has some good come of Sauron's puppets. I shalt march forth on the morrow. Sit now with me a while. The portico is peaceful, the day pleasant for its season, and I much desire to be near thee ere I go."
And so they sat as the morning passed to afternoon and thence down to evening. On the next morning Helluin donned again her armor and took up her weapons.
"Hither I shalt await thee, and if by some chance thou can make thy way hither after the battle, then hither thou shalt find me," Beinvír said as they stood together by the pass through the red cliffs. "But if thou fall and Sauron comes, then in the Halls of Mandos shalt I await thee. Either hither or thither shalt we meet again, melethril."
"So we shalt, and a joyous meeting it shalt be upon either shore, yet I have faith that 'tis hither that I shalt find thee."
After a long hug and a deep kiss Helluin was gone, the only warrior from Imladris to rejoin the battle. Only later did Elrond learn of Helluin's leave-taking, and it increased his own conflicted feelings about his role and the role of his people in the war. Unlike Helluin, he had no confidence in his ability to aid Gil-galad, or even to make his way 'cross Eriador with his warriors, and so he stayed in Imladris and his people maintained their vigilance.
To Be Continued