In An Age Before – Part 117
Now after a wait of one quarter-hour, the sergeant returned with an older Dúnadan bearing the rank of captain. This Man greeted them far more warmly, dismissed the sergeant and his company back to their post, and conveyed the two ellith to a well appointed office not far down a hall. Thither he bid them seat themselves on a couch of surprising comfort. More surprisingly, he provided refreshments; wine from a vineyard in Ithilien, and cakes with poppy seeds adorning their tops. Most surprisingly, he knew their history with Gondor and the Dúnedain, as one versed in lore from days long past.
"I am Captain Beleg and I have served in the Guard of Osgiliath for two score and seven years. On behalf of King Eldacar, I confirm the king's grace to ye both...and I offer ye apologies for your prior lack of welcome. The times grow hard and suspicion is rampant," he explained, and after a pause added, "the attentions of Gondor have increasingly turned inward since your last visit, and so too has much history been neglected by the populace. That my sergeant would fail to recognize and welcome ye, Cónhal Beinvír and Helluin Úlairdacil¹ saddens me, for at the same time when Men increasingly esteem their lineages, they forget the history that gives them value." ¹(Úlairdacil, Ghost-Victor (victor over the Nazgûl) = úlaire (ghost) + tacil(victor) Quenya)
The ellith briefly dipped their heads to acknowledge the captain's apology. Beinvír caught Helluin's eyes, and smiling, spoke to her silently.
So thou too hast acquired a title amongst the Dúnedain of the south, meldanya.
"Long we have been absent from the South Kingdom, good captain, and little do I wonder at the lack of recognition now," Beinvír said. "'Tis heartwarming to know that some remember us."
"My thanks for thy understanding of the memory of Mortals," Captain Beleg replied. "Yet still, those who serve Gondor at arms should recall your parts in our greatest war, for your deeds in no small way saved this land from becoming the west province of Mordor."
"…it hath been of old the special charge of those who rule this realm to keep and defend it against Sauron and the enemies yonder in Mordor. The realm thou raise shalt be the bulwark of the west. So I charged the Lords Isildur and Anárion ere the founding of the realm of Gondor," Helluin said, remembering the morn so long ago when she and Beinvír had brought the brothers, newcomers from the wreck of Númenor, to the Hallow upon Mindolluin. "Ne'er since has their realm faltered in its duty, and in this, we too art charged to do all we can."
The captain nodded in understanding. Gondor had inherited, not created, its role as chief foe of the Enemy. Ere the first Kings of Gondor, others had shouldered the duty and the dread of opposing Sauron. Yet now there was dissension within the realm charged with being the bulwark of the west.
"Helluin and Beinvír, ye have traveled far in your embassy from the Lord Elrond, for the road 'twixt Imladris and Osgiliath is long," the captain said. "The tidings ye seek shalt be provided, yet such shalt not come to pass in an hour, nor perhaps even in a day. Therefore I bid ye accept the hospitality of the royal house. Ye shalt have lodgings 'nigh the audience hall, for I deem that our lord shalt wish to meet with ye himself. Messengers have been sent announcing your presence to the court. T'will be time for ye to rest and sup whilst the reply is pending."
To this the two ellith were very agreeable, having aforetime been turned away from inns upon the bridge; twice in search of lodgings, and thrice whilst seeking a meal. A knock on the door of the captain's office announced the arrival of a chamberlain whom, after offering their farewells to Captain Beleg, they followed from the gaol and down a series of streets towards the royal precinct. The chamberlain was a stuffy functionary who wore the livery of the court, o'er proudly they deemed, looked down his nose at the two ellith, and said 'naught to them, replacing words with gestures. He conveyed them hence to a comfortable apartment 'nigh the Royal Audience Hall, presented a portfolio containing a menu and a map, and withdrew with a bow much like that which Boromir the Hunter had parodied upon the causeway. His relief at being rid of them was well 'nigh palpable and the ellith were glad to be done with his company as well.
Using the time, they proceeded to bathing and the cleaning of their garments, both relishing the resulting absence of the grime of travel. With wood already provided, they kindled a fire in the ample hearth and dried their clothing. Thereafter they consulted the map and chose a dining hall 'nigh their apartment, viewing it from outside and intending to patronize it later for their dinner.
"This shalt ne'er do," the Green Elf whispered, as they marked the opulence of the interior and the fine dress of the diners. 'Twas wholly formal, and indeed fit for kings.
"Aye," Helluin agreed, "an embassy of urchins shalt reflect poorly upon the Lord Elrond and saddle us with the disadvantage of apparent poverty. Come, let us seek a seamstress."
It took the remainder of the afternoon, but the two ellith did indeed acquire raiment befitting their station.
"We look now fit for a soiree at which Lady Nimrodel would feel proper," Beinvír observed. She was clad in a corset bodice, o'er a full-length gown of layered deep green silk tulle o'erlain with lace. The ¾ sleeves too were of lace, as was the whole above the top of the corset, up to the collar. At least the skirts art of a length sufficient to hide my boots, she thought.
Helluin had felt much put out in that her gown of indigo chiffon silk required that she forgo her armor, and Anguirél had chaffed to be left behind, for her gown had no belt by which to affix a scabbard. After a polite argument, the seamstress had grudgingly relented and created a short capelet that allowed Helluin to carry the Sarchram unmarked at her back.
"Gold coins of Khazad-dûm we have spent upon such finery," the Noldo carped, "and I am forced to lay aside my armor with whose price I could buy much of this city."
The Green Elf rolled her eyes, but she too felt unsettled as she set aside her bow, quiver, and fighting knives. For so long have we gone about the lands armed that 'tis well 'nigh unnatural for us to forbear the carrying of our weapons.
Their return to the dining hall brought forth all the obsequious attentions of which the staff was capable, and to which their fine raiment entitled them. Polite and appreciative looks from the other diners greeted their perusal of the surroundings. Throughout the meal the ellith felt themselves thespians, the setting a stage, and the others present a supporting cast. 'Twas much to their credit that they retained their comportment 'til they had retired to their apartment, at which time both broke into uncontrollable fits of mirth at such a rampant display of pretension.
A sharp rap on their chamber door silenced their laughter. For a moment the two ellith stared at each other in surprise whilst a soft breeze stirred the lamplight, making the shadows shift 'round them.
"'Tis perhaps some word from the court?" Beinvír guessed.
"'Tis late for official business," Helluin replied, doubtfully looking towards the door.
When the knock was repeated, she stood and strode thither, and opened the door to reveal a tall Man in a hooded cloak of deep gray, pinned at the throat with a silver broach in the form of a rearing horse. He stood a pace back from her in the hall, his hands empty and visible, held out to his sides.
At her questioning glance he spoke in a soft, clear voice, "pray pardon the intrusion, m'lady. I am alone and wished to first meet thee absent the prying eyes of the court."
Her attention at once sharp, but feeling no threat, the Noldo stood aside allowing the stranger to enter. Though he displayed no badge of rank, his words told her all she needed to place him true.
"Thou art e'er welcome hither, O King, and thou art welcome to whatsoe'er service we might render," she said, well suppressing her shock at his presence.
Her use of we confused him at first for he thought her alone, yet in the moment of his movement to draw back his hood, a second elleth appeared, seemingly materialized from 'naught but air and shadow as a wraith suddenly made visible in the lamplight. He blinked and stared. The Green Elf offered him a smile and resheathed a long silver knife.
"King Eldacar…my melda fëa vesse, Beinvír Laiquende," Helluin said as she moved to stand beside her soulmate.
The Green Elf graced the still shocked king with a formal bow that he returned almost as a reflex. Then he stared at them in amazement for some moments, looking back and forth 'twixt the two as they in turn looked at him.
He appears to my eyes a full-blooded scion of the Isle of Kings, my love, Helluin silently told the Green Elf, who subtly nodded in agreement.
"In my grandfather's hall in the North there is a tapestry woven long ago that depicts ye in battle with an army of Dwarves," he finally said. "Save for thy raiment, I should recognize ye at once. Indeed I would say ye art unchanged. 'Tis a wonder to me, for that tapestry is now 'nigh on 400 years old, and though 'tis said that the Eldar change not with the passing years, still 'tis a shock to be met thus with the proof."
"'Tis to us as yesterday, the memory of thy mother's great-great-great-grandsire, King Ërlick," she said. "A great king he was, and great good did he and Queen Brekka bring to thy people." And he was my friend.
"Our esteem for King Ërlick adds yet another cause for us to support thee," Beinvír added.
King Eldacar gave a sigh of relief at her declaration.
"Ye have answered my most pressing question," he said, "for ere welcoming ye formally in court on the morrow, I woulds't know if ye supported the succession. 'Tis much dissent amongst the nobles, and to have ye, emissaries from the Eldar, our ancient friends and allies, refute the succession would have spelt disaster. Gondor stands upon the verge of civil war, and such may yet come to pass, but I deem the support of two who saw Gondor's founding shalt weigh heavily in favor of peace."
"Lord Eldacar," Helluin said, "thou art the only son and heir of thy father. I support thee, for to me the blending of thy blood, Dúnedain and Northmen, is no source of shame. The North men art valiant, true-hearted and strong; faithful allies to Gondor as were the Edain to my people long ago…and was not the first king of Númenor, Elros Tar-Minyatur also a son of mixed blood, born of both Men and Elves? The Lord Elrond would support thee, for thou descend in right line from his brother. These things I shalt tell the court upon the morrow." For a moment she paused, and then resumed, looking the king steadily in the eyes. "In thee too flows some measure of my own blood, passed down through two Ages of this world from my daughter, Almarian of Númenor who wed Irimon, Tar-Meneldur, and from my granddaughter, Almiel who wed Númandil, Lord of Andúnië."
The king nodded his agreement and thanks, but then added, "so too coulds't any claim who sought to supplant me, for they too would be of royal blood."
"Aforetime we have heard the names of several offered in speculation, and one of these was even given to us by the messengers from Elrond. Hast thou any greater certainty of who stands most likely to oppose thee?" the Green Elf asked.
To answer her query, an angry expression grew upon Eldacar's face, and he nodded that indeed such a name was known to him.
"With confidence would I wager apples and oats that t'will be the Lord Castamir whom the dissenting nobles put forward as their choice," he said. "Well known is he; a strong commander of Men and an experienced captain of ships. He descends from King Calmacil, being the grandson of my grandfather's younger brother, and though none would speak openly with favor of Calimehtar o'er Rómendacil II, the fault they find in me grows from a fault they see in my father. Like me, Castamir's father no longer lives, and so he is the closest and most obvious choice."
"Has Castamir said 'aught of dissention?" Helluin asked.
"Nay," Eldacar said, "for he is a Man crafty in politics as well as battle. T'would suit his purposes better to be acclaimed by others and put forward with a mandate from the populace, than by parading his own ambitions. He shalt speak fair if need be, withholding his hand, I wager, 'til called upon by the nobles to accept the crown."
"And in the meantime he shalt be preparing, as a veteran campaigner surely would, to act swiftly when called upon, and to seize the throne by force if necessary, all in the name of the good of the people," Helluin speculated. The thoughts left her unsettled.
To this the king nodded in agreement.
"Whither doth Castamir reside and draw his strength and support?" Beinvír asked.
"Castamir is Lord-Captain of the King's Ships, and his official posting is at Pelargir, but the strength of the navy lies berthed at the Haven of Umbar. Amongst the Southern Army he is a very popular commander, well known and well respected. Thither is the heart of the realm he would extend northwards to the capital."
"And what strength of ships and Men could Castamir command, O King?" Helluin asked.
"The Navy of Gondor includes some 150 ships of war with full crews of sailors and marines, whilst the Southern Army now counts some 25,000 horse and foot," Eldacar recited. After several further moments thought he added, "to these may be added such household militias as serve nobles supporting Castamir…a guess would make their count perhaps another one and one-half thousands."
For some moments Helluin stood silently digesting King Eldacar's information, and she marked the date, 'nigh on ten hours past noon upon 11 Nórui, (June 11th). From her flawless memory she recalled a conversation in the Queen's study in Armenelos, upon their embassy to Tar-Telperiën of Númenor, in Narbeleth of S.A. 1601. "Would thou be pleased to know then that well 'nigh 400 ships now fly the pennant of the Crown of Númenor? That upon each can sail a company of 200 soldiers with their horses and gear?" The Navy of Gondor stands fully capable of transporting the Southern Army to battle, she thought. Then she reviewed the words of Minastir, the queen's heir, which had followed, "…in little more than a fortnight can we marshal and sail to thy aid. We need only hear word of battle and we shalt sail for Lindon." Helluin and Beinvír had known the truth of his words. Even on a cargo transport they had just made the crossing in eight days.
'Twas roughly 615 sea miles from Umbar to Ethir Anduin, and thence another 145 miles upstream to Pelargir…760 miles in all. In S.A. 1601, the Queen's Ship Valacirca had made the crossing of 1,900 miles from Númenor to Mithlond in but 4 days, whilst the heavily laden cargo ship Viava Laireo had been only 8 days sailing outbound. 'Twas now high summer and a ship of sea draught would be in jeopardy of grounding north of Pelargir, but still…
42 days it hath been since the coronation of Eldacar upon 1 Lothron…42 days! 'Tis sure that the succession of Valacar by Eldacar has been long foreseen and the opposition planning for it, perhaps for many years now. Even if a decision to act was delayed and Castamir's forces art not so swift to deploy as was the Army of Númenor aforetime, still they could be upon us at any time. And the Northern Army has been neither mustered nor deployed for the defense of Osgiliath. Too late! We art too late!
"My Lord Eldacar, I fear the civilities of our embassy must wait and the needs of action take precedence," the Noldo said, "for I deem 'tis likely that all too soon we shalt find the might of the south arrayed against Osgiliath. What strength at arms loyal to thee lies within a day's march of the capital?"
The king stared at her in shock. No movements of ships or Men had been reported from the southern fiefs…and yet, were a conspiracy indeed afoot, would not such reports have been suppressed? If Pelargir and the lands south were rising against the crown, would he know of it? 'Twas summer and Anduin ran low, yet he knew that even great ships could sail and anchor at Pelargir for to disgorge the troops of Umbar, and they would be then but 165 miles to the south, five days march and no more than a few days ride from Osgiliath upon flat and well paved roads.
"There art the garrisons of Minas Anor and Minas Ithil, some four thousands total," the king said, thinking aloud now, "but these must remain in place to defend those cities. The garrison of Osgiliath with the city guards number but three thousands. Within a day's ride art but several outposts upon the roads to Anórien and Lebennin, perhaps another thousand all told. Think thou truly that we shalt be saddled with the defense of Osgiliath, with four thousands standing against thirty?"
"My counsel would be for haste," Helluin replied. "Send word at once to draw in all such as may be within riding distance, and send word also south to the Rangers of Lebennin for these art loyal to thee, though too far perhaps to join the defense from within the city. Send word also to Anórien and holdings north; Cair Andros, Parth Galen, Orthanc, and even to thy brothers in Rhovanion."
And so now he knew his peril, Vinitharya of Rhovanion, newly crowned 21st King of Gondor. He drew his hood back o'er his head and turned for the door.
"What aid may we offer thee, O King?" Helluin asked.
Turning back, Eldacar regarded them with sharp eyes, now alight with the thought of impending battle. In truth, despite the horror and heartbreak he knew would come, he was almost relieved to know the truth of how things stood, for like his northern kin, more comfortable was he with an enemy known, whom he could face with a sword, than with the tiresome plotting and veiled threats that made up the intrigues of court.
"Prepare yeselves for war, and if ye can contrive it, send word to the Rangers, for I deem that to the words of no others shalt that peoples harken sooner than thine, First Guardians. Yes, I know somewhat of history and your place in it," he said, and after a pause to look at them added, "and get out of those clothes. T'will not be to the court ye shalt go upon the morrow, but to a counsel of war whither I shalt need ye."
The door closed behind him and the two ellith were again alone.
"An inexperienced king is he, meldanya," Beinvír observed.
"Aye, but a decisive warrior, I wager," the Noldo replied.
"Still, how art we to attend a counsel of war on the morrow and yet send word to the Rangers of Lebennin in time? To come to Lebennin as soon as may be, we should leave Osgiliath this very hour, yet if memory serves, 'tis 20 leagues to the crossing of the South Road and the River Erui whither was the nearest command. That road is perhaps already held by the enemy coming north from Pelargir, and any messengers the king sends south shalt likely be waylaid. Stealth shalt be needed. I should go alone."
To Helluin, the thought of Beinvír traveling alone towards the enemy made her stomach clench. Worse, even were her errand a success, upon her return the Green Elf might find Osgiliath invested, and passing through a hostile army's gauntlet during a siege was a great jeopardy indeed. And yet what she had said made sense. One only of them was needed to carry the king's message south, and of the two of them, 'twas Beinvír who had last stood in command of the Rangers.
As if reading her thought, Beinvír said, "more than once aforetime has chance forced us to take separate paths, and ne'er has such been welcome, yet e'er have we been rejoined after. I believe t'will be so again, meldanya, and so indeed I fear more for thee, within the walls of the enemy's target. Besides, 'tis likely if any movements so great as we suspect have come to pass, t'will be Rangers watching from Ethir Anduin all the way north to Osgiliath. Mayhaps I need go but a league beyond the walls to find some. Indeed, if I take my leave now, I may even return ere the king's counsel of war."
And now 'twas Helluin who felt the helpless demand to agree with the dictates of necessity and the arguments of reason, and to accept a course repellent and abhorrent. So she must have felt when I left her in Ithilien for to assail Mt. Doom, and when I sent her to Thranduil whilst I went to Dol Guldur. And yet for all my misgivings, 'tis 'naught I can muster to gainsay her, for all she hath said rings true.
'Twas with a grim expression that Helluin nodded her agreement with her beloved's course, and they took to changing out of their new finery and back into the raiment of travelers long in the Wild. And when they stood again dressed as they had come to the City of Kings, and Beinvír prepared to take her leave, Helluin could only hold her close and desperately whisper in her ear, "Noch mae, meleth nín. Rinno na nin!¹" ¹(Noch mae meleth nín. Rinno na nin!, Be well, my love. Return to me! = No-(be) + -ch(2nd pers sing subj suff, you) + mae(well/good) + meleth(love) + nín(1st pers sing poss pro, my) Rinno-(return) + -o(imp replacing stem vowel) + na(to) + nin(1st pers dir obj pro, me) Sindarin)
To be Continued