In An Age Before – Part 52
Chapter Thirty-seven
Lake Nenuial, Eriador – The Second Age of the Sun
Upon the morn of 18 Narbeleth, (October 18th), Helluin and Beinvír boarded a boat crossing the Firth of Lune, and coming thence to Harlond, took the road northeast into Eriador that evening as their shadows lengthened before them.
Now it had been 'nigh on three weeks since Helluin and Beinvír had taken their leave of Dálindir and his company at the messenger's summons to Lindon. They had left Ishkabibúl and Balar in the reluctant custody of the Green Elves, and though a naughty sense of irresponsibility had caused them to chuckle o'er their friends' predicament, they could not in good conscience leave things thus. Therefore Helluin and Beinvír debated how best to find and rejoin that odd collection of fellows.
"I have some suspicions that Dálindir headed thither to Nenuial shortly after we took our leave," Helluin said as they sat beside their campfire that night, "thence and soonest to rid himself first of Balar."
"Think thou that he would make his way thus, 68 leagues west, bringing Balar to the Men of Nenuial whilst retaining the company of Ishkabibúl yet the longer? I know the Dwarf made him nervous, for the history 'twixt our peoples, though far in the past, is one of unresolved conflict and great discomfort."
Helluin thought on this a moment. There were reasons both yea and nay for disposing first of the Man or the Dwarf.
"I should think he perhaps deemed it the lesser of two evils," the Noldo replied at last, "for otherwise would he hath been forced to confront all the Naugrim of Khazad-dûm, and wherefore one Dwarf would make him nervous, a realm full of them would surely cause him hives."
Beinvír giggled at this, recalling her own nervousness during her first trip to Hadhodrond long years aforetime. She had still half-believed that the Naugrim would try to roast and eat her at their first opportunity despite Helluin's assurances to the contrary. Dálindir would have no such intermediary as the dour Noldo, but rather full suspicion of dire consequences ahead and a personal acquaintance of the Naugrim as enemies in battle. The ambush of the Host of Nogrod upon the banks of the River Ascar was personal history for her king, Tórferedir, and the others. And Dálindir's company had been absent all the years of the war in Eriador, with the resulting lessened tensions 'twixt the Dwarves and Elves who had stood allied against Sauron. Indeed his beliefs were as Beinvír's had been ere she'd joined Helluin upon the road.
"Very well then," the Green Elf agreed, "unto Nenuial we shalt make our way, and we shalt see then if indeed my friends have all acquired hives."
The next morning they began their journey north, much as they had ere the war, passing up the eastern bank of the Firth of Lune to the River Lune, and thence eastward to the Emyn Uial where Helluin had first met Tórferedir. Their way was long; well 'nigh 100 leagues to the west banks of Lake Nenuial, and even in haste it took them a fortnight of walking.
Along the way they met some others of the Laiquendi, and to these they brought tidings of the return of the king, and all rejoiced to hear their tale. Indeed when it became known that Helluin and Beinvír sought him and his company 'nigh Lake Nenuial, word went out to seek for them, and some companies of the Green Elves joined them or followed in their footsteps. Thus by the time they reached the shores of the lake and the homes of the Men upon them, scarce fewer than three hundreds of the Laiquendi shadowed their march. These remained well hidden and unseen by mortal eyes lest they be mistaken for an invasion force, yet oft they came, a few at a time, to the camps that Helluin and Beinvír made, to trade tidings and greetings. The two found themselves getting very little rest.
"T'would seem we again have visitors, meldanya," Helluin remarked on the evening of 30 Narbeleth. She had long since become able to sense the approach of Green Elves as she had not been able to do long aforetime. Beinvír had taught her to stop trying to 'see' them and rather to 'feel' for them as they did to sense each other, and Helluin had found that this method worked well.
"Then at least we shalt have no lack of victuals," the Green Elf remarked, for 'twas the custom amongst that people for uninvited guests to offer somewhat of provisions to their hosts when possible. She cocked her head a moment and then added, "another grouse shalt be welcome."
Helluin wondered how Beinvír could tell they were bringing a grouse. She deemed herself to be doing well to have marked the Green Elves at all, and better to have discerned that they were three who approached. She shook her head in wonder. After 1,733 years together her companion still amazed her.
In short order there appeared three Laiquendi bearing a grouse, a skin of wine, and a sack of apples. Helluin and Beinvír greeted them warmly and bid them sit by their fire. A jovial trio I should say, Helluin thought, yet I discern not the cause for their mirth at our campsite, one bit of forest being much like another to them, and all long familiar. But 'twas not the place that was the cause of their lighthearted mood…'twas rather their tidings.
"Word has come to us this day," began the first, a slender ellon named Cúran¹, "from some of our folk to the east, speaking of the march of a contentious company that includes Dálindir. 'Twas a company most strange indeed, they claimed, for with them marched Tórferedir our general, and both a Dwarf and a Man." ¹(Cúran, Crescent Moon, Sindarin)
"Yet these strangers marched not as prisoners, but rather as ill-mannered guests," said the second, an elleth with hair and eyes of grey, named Hithui¹. ¹(Hithui, Misty, Sindarin)
"Indeed so, and they had driven the others to distraction," reported the third, a mischievous ellon named Iáúr¹, "such that some bickering was evidenced, and this only abated at their unanimous cursing of a twain of villains who share the same names as thee. Quite a remarkable coincidence, I deem." ¹(Iáúr, Mocking One,iae(mocking) + -úr (intensive agent), Sindarin)
Both Helluin and Beinvír groaned as one. The three Green Elves chuckled.
"Perhaps we should make our way thither, back to Lindon," Beinvír said as if she had forgotten that 'twas a city.
"Perhaps we should make our way hence to Mordor," Helluin suggested, "for 'tis a land now empty, safe, and ripe for the taking, or so I have heard tell of late. Even is there already standing a great dark tower in which to abide. With our reputations we should do well there, I deem."
Beinvír nodded in agreement. The three Laiquendi looked away into the darkness.
"How far to the east marched this dour company?" Helluin asked.
The three Laiquendi spoke not and indeed shuffled their feet and squirmed as they sat, appearing greatly unnerved. Helluin cocked a brow at them in question. Cúran nervously cast his eyes repeatedly o'er his shoulder. By the time the meaning of his charade became clear to her, 'twas too late for evasive action.
"Thou shalt not flee our wrath ye miserable knaves!" the unmistakable voice of Dálindir called out from a few dozen yards away. His company was stomping through the underbrush with no thought of stealth. "I mark ye, hunkered there in comfort by your fire, feasting and drinking, and no doubt recounting with mirth the suffering ye have saddled us with!" He came to the campsite and stood with arms crossed and breath huffing. Beinvír actually shrank down deeper into her cloak and edged into Helluin's shadow.
"Iyam hungary," Balar ground out in poorly enunciated Sindarin.
"And I am weary of bone and foot! Were I to tread even another mile in this company my beard should go white long ere its proper time!" Ishkabibúl claimed through gritted teeth. He actually stomped his feet and stood with clenched fists, glaring at the others.
"Ne'er have I made so mirthless a journey," groaned Tórferedir as he cast himself down upon the ground beside the fire, "for in war could I at least shoot those who vexed me."
Gérorn and Celegaras stood a few paces off, embarrassed by this display and casting apologetic glances at Helluin and Beinvír. Cúran, Hithui, and Iáúr made a half-hearted attempt to slip away into the shadows, but it did them no good.
"Stand fast O ye craven revelers!" Dálindir demanded. "Ye have been discovered ruddy handed, accosted whilst lounging hither, sharing food and shameful delight o'er the ill-fate of your fellows, I wager. Surely ye are as guilty as they."
"But my Lord, we arrived but shortly ago," Iáúr protested.
"Indeed so, for see, the grouse we brought hither is yet unplucked," Hithui added.
"Bah," Dálindir said, dismissing their protests with a wave of his hand. "Ye were surely the messengers of such tidings as gleefully recounted our sufferings, and I find I am short of patience with messengers of late."
The three fell silent and contrived contrite expressions.
"Art weto yeat? Ever?" Balar managed to ask.
The entire situation struck Helluin as ludicrous, and with Balar's question all came to a head, leaving her in hysterics. She was soon doubled o'er in the throes of her mirth, whilst Beinvír looked on aghast and Dálindir in amazement. The king could hardly believe that she would discount so wholly his tirade and display so unrestrained her glee. Celegaras and Gérorn well 'nigh cowered in expectation of their king's wrath. Ishkabibúl regarded her askance as one with wits fled, (though she was an Elf and perhaps such was normal), whilst Balar simply shrugged and looked as e'er to the cooking food.
Dálindir drew himself up to deliver yet further expressions of his indignation, but at that moment their company was joined by a convergence of the Laiquendi who had followed Helluin and Beinvír in hopes of meeting again their king. Drawn by Helluin's laughter and anticipating a scene of rejoicing, they had come 'nigh at last. In groups of a few or a few dozen they appeared, materializing from the surrounding darkness to stand in a great conclave about the small camp. Two score dozens they numbered all told, and these in silence bowed to their lost lord and then stood silent, awaiting his address. In the face of the traditional demands for a welcome to what had become, de facto his campsite, Dálindir was obliged to replace his coming invective with words of greeting. Shaking his head in amazement at the timing, he set aside his wrath and began.
"In friendship do I greet ye and in heartfelt welcome do I offer ye the comfort of this camp. Your presence honors me and in your company do I rejoice. Come ye hither then, those of kin and company, and those from fellowship long sundered. Share with us your tales and your tidings. Share with us our provisions and fire, for in the morning even though we may part ways, still we shalt long have our memories of good company shared this night."
Having finished the customary sentiments, Dálindir looked at those 'round the fire and sighed. Helluin was wiping her eyes, Beinvír huddled behind her with but her eyes showing from 'neath her hood. Tórferedir was lying on his side 'nigh the fire suppressing with difficulty his cackles at the irony of the situation, whilst Celegaras and Gérorn as e'er stood protectively beside their king watching all those nearby. Balar and Ishkabibúl had attacked the food and wine with barbaric gusto, wholly oblivious to the social graces he had been forced to perform. Dálindir couldn't help but shake his head.
"My Lord, I pray thee share thy tale, for somewhat of its wonder has reached our ears aforetime. We rejoice in thy return indeed, for sorely has thy leadership been missed, and that in peace as well as in war. Our people would know 'aught of thy trials and whether indeed the jeopardy into which thou and thy company fell is still a threat."
This plea was spoken by an elder lord of the Green Elves, one who had seen the coming of his people to Beleriand long aforetime. Because of his honored position and the unusual circumstances, he was able to ask the questions all held yet hesitated to voice, for 'twas a request for a personal accounting from none other than their king. Dálindir could hardly refuse such a request, for his tale did indeed concern the safety of all his people.
"Adar Ifant¹, I understand thy concerns and they art well founded," Dálindir said, "for indeed have I and my friends been long held as captives in a house strange and fell. In the company of Helluin did Beinvír and Gérorn and Celegaras accompany me as guests 'neath the roof of one Iarwain Ben-adar. Thither did we repair as we had done aforetime, yet we were then constrained in that time from exit. Indeed 'neath Iarwain's roof did we pass 1,733 years. That time seems to us as but a few nights of hospitality shared, though many memories too we have of that time. Still 'naught of change came upon us, whether of age or of the fading." ¹(Adar Ifant, Old Father = adar(father) + ifant(old). In this case an honorary title of respect, not an actual acknowledgement of kinship. Sindarin)
Dálindir continued on with the tale at length, and as he did, so too changed his mood.
"Now come'th the end of our tale, for but a moon and a half past did Beinvír and Helluin yet again return upon the night of our disappearance, just as they had done through many fruitless years. There they prevailed upon our strange host, and by appealing to his goodwill and demonstrating forth his shame did they at last win our release. Brave and steadfast have they been. I owe them great thanks. None foresaw our return to the world, and yet e'er did they hope for just such.
I have been wroth with them, 'tis true, for in having obeyed a summons from the Golodh King in Lindon were they forced to leave in my company, a Man of the kindred of Bëor, named Balar, and a Dwarf of the Host of Nogrod, named Ishkabibúl. They too were granted their release through the efforts of Beinvír and Helluin, and for lack of other courses, have joined us upon the road."
Here he indicated the Man and the Dwarf with a gesture. The assembled Elves eyed them directly now, though they had marked them aforetime. Balar grunted and continued chewing, but nodded at the host and dipped his head to the king. Ishkabibúl merely stared back at them and then returned to quaffing his wine. Dálindir shook his head in consternation and shrugged. Then at last and to their great relief, he cast a much hoped for smile upon Helluin and Beinvír.
Now when at last Balar was introduced to the Men of Nenuial, the Elves were amazed by what came to pass. Though those kindreds of Men were not so elevated as their cousins in Númenor 'cross the sea, they too had their tales and their ancient lore. And amongst these latter day descendants of those who had once followed Beleg back out of Beleriand, there was a recounting of the trip through Eriador that had led them o'er the Ered Luin, for it had been the beginning of that peoples' tale. To them, the march east had been but the return to a fair land seen at the end of their journey from Hildorien…a much safer home than Beleriand, which was then rife with war. In that tale was named Balar, the lost son of Balan the Old, and so they soon recognized the freed Man as their rightful lord, though almost two Ages had come and gone.
By that time, although his Sindarin was still quite rough, Balar discovered that he had in common with those Men the roots of their present language, and though much changed, 'twas still closer in nature to his own speech than was the Elven tongue. Thus he was able to make himself understood to them, though to their ears his speech sounded astonishingly antique. Indeed by this as much as by his attire and claims of kinship did they accept his station in their society.
Upon 16 Hithui, (November 16th), S.A. 2994, the chieftains of the Men of Eriador took for their first king, Balar son of Balan, and so, like the Laiquendi, the remnants of the House of Bëor celebrated the return of the king.
In token of the part played by Helluin and Beinvír, and by the company of Dálindir, the Men of Eriador became closer in friendship with the Green Elves in that time, and though 'twas rare for them to meet, this friendship was long retained. And so it came to pass that in later Ages, though Arnor rose and fell and the kingdoms of the north were defeated and restored, still the Middle Men, the farmers and the herdsmen, the tradesmen and the craftsmen, all held in their hearts a special reverence for the Úmanyar, eventually calling them all Wood Elves, and holding them in esteem. Thereby in Eriador rose up that parallel social order, for when later came thither the Kings of Men from 'cross the sea who held especial their friendship with the Amanyar, the High Elves, still the common folk felt more strongly their ties to the Laiquendi and the Sindar who had e'er dwelt upon the Hither Shores.
To Be Continued