In An Age Before – Part 121

Now at the third hour past noon, when the first of Castamir's cavalry came in sight of the barricade, they were met with a hail of arrows that drove them back. They easily marked that 'twas more than just the constant harrying of the Rangers, for they had caught a glimpse of an army massed against them, arrayed before the barricade. Thither waited mounted knights numbering perhaps a third of their own count, and behind them, the bristling spears of a great valor of foot soldiers of Gondor's northern army. T'would be their first true battle, and so they sent word to the Lord Castamir.

"Thought ye truly that Eldacar would allow us to march right up to the walls of Osgiliath? Ha! 'Tis little surprise to find a defense upon the road," Castamir told his captains. "So ye shalt fight a battle. Imagine that! 'Tis why ye art hither, if ye had not suspected such aforetime. Now hold the cavalry beyond bowshot 'til the infantry can join them ere ye bother me again!"

'Neath their lord's derision the captains bowed and took their leave to carry out his orders. Yet no few had come to resent Castamir's demeanor, for they were all proud Men of pure blood. A few amongst them wondered how his rule would proceed once he took the throne, and a very few wondered if perhaps choosing him had been a mistake. In spite of how they felt, the captains saw that Castamir's bidding was carried out.

So for another hour the cavalry awaited the arrival of the infantry o'er a furlong back from the barricade, and during that hour, from time to time one amongst them would fall from his mount, shot in the face with an arrow. 'Twas the continuation of a scourge that had afflicted their forces since their landing at Pelargir upon the 10th, and in the ensuing week they had added to their contempt for the Men of Twilight, a seething hatred born of their foe's cowardly manner of war. Many a friend and comrade-in-arms had fallen to the archers who ne'er showed themselves plain, nor stood to battle Man to Man. And so they resolved that when this realm had come 'neath the hand of their lord, these lesser Men should suffer for so long as their own rule lasted. Like the pretender king of mixed blood now squatting in Osgiliath, they were unworthy of the respect and esteem of a pure-blooded Man of the West.

'Twas just o'er an hour ere Castamir's infantry had massed upon the road, and the order came for them to advance in a frontal assault upon the barricade, thither to o'erwhelm and sweep aside the defenders, and in their wake, clear such obstacles as hampered the advance of their lord's cavalry. So they came on, charging forward with shields held before them in hopes of staving off the near constant barrage of arrows. Yet almost immediately some discerned that those arrows came not only from the fore, but from their flanks as well. No few fell, but many more continued to advance unscathed.

Still they came on, and when they had covered half the distance 'twixt their own cavalry and the barricade, a single note from trumpets rent the air, and into the land to either side of the road behind them fell a volley of flaming arrows. Quickly did the summer-dried grass and underbrush catch, (both that which grew naturally and that which had been collected thither and doused with oil), and the resulting smoke and flames soon set their own cavalrymen to coughing and blinking, and their horses to prancing, and snorting, and milling. 'Twas now just after the fourth hour past noon, and the day's heated air flowing off the land drove the smoke south down the road towards the sea.

Yet still they came on, and they had well 'nigh reached the barricade as the fire caught and spread behind them, when paired notes from trumpets were blown. 'Twas then that they heard the thunder of hooves, but so intent were they upon engaging their enemy, now only scant yards ahead, that few at first marked that the charging cavalry was not their own.

During their hour's wait, the Rangers of Lebennin had kept the invading cavalry hemmed in, formed up in their companies upon the road beyond bowshot of the barricade, and so Castamir's forces marked not that well 'nigh all of Eldacar's cavalry had dispersed into two companies. These had withdrawn behind their own infantry, through the gate and beyond the barricade, riding thence both east and west down its length, and thither, a furlong to either side of the road, had turned south and awaited the trumpet's signal.

Now when that signal came, both companies spurred their mounts to charge. Down through an orchard from the west came the cavalry of Osgiliath, but before them rode the Northmen, with Anræd and Hæleþ in the lead. Up through tall grass from the river-side came the cavalries of Minas Ithil and Minas Anor with Prince Ornendil at their head, to slam into the flanks of the leading and middle companies of Castamir's infantry. And because those infantry companies were charging down a road, their long files and narrow ranks offered only minimal resistance to the inertia of half ton war horses at full gallop. Barely had those knights time enough to slash with their swords at the footmen 'neath them ere they had passed clear through their files as they mowed down all in their path.

Yet the very arrangement of their foes that gave them such success also limited that success. In the narrow lands flanking the road, they had not the space to turn and regain their momentum for a second charge, and so the cavalry rode on, clearing the battle zone and returning to the barricade, their companies having now exchanged positions east and west.

In their wake the enemy hesitated, stunned by the unexpected suddenness and violence of the onslaught. In but a few seconds o'er three hundreds of their comrades had been ridden down, and these now lay broken, e'er stilled, or writhing in pain at the front of their formation, and all those spared expected the cavalry's return at any moment.

But Eldacar's cavalry had orders to stand fast, save at the repeated call of the trumpet signal, and so they remained in their flanking positions, guarding the barricade, for 'twas now the turn of others to join the battle. So as Castamir's infantry recovered from the onslaught of the cavalry charge and turned again to assail the barricade, the infantries of Osgiliath, and Minas Anor, and Cair Andros, with the Rangers of Lebennin and all those other fighters loyal to the king, charged down the road to meet their foes.

Now the lines clashed and the sounds of spear and sword beating against shield filled the air. To the fore had marched the soldiers of Gondor's Northern Army, bearing spear, sword, and shield to match their foes from Umbar. Behind them and upon the flanks came the Rangers, bearing no shields, but firing their bows into the flanks of the enemy column 'til the battle line spread off the paved road. Then many moved to maintain firing distance whilst others drew their swords and closed with the enemy at last.

Again the enemy's formation favored the defenders, for despite their superior numbers, the narrow battle front centered on the road could be successfully opposed by fewer Men. Such of Castamir's infantry as ventured off the road became the targets of intensive fire from the Rangers, and so the battle continued with the front lines thus constrained. Yet soon, at the center of those lines, a southward wedge appeared, centered upon a flare of Light, for thither fought the king with his deadly personal guard, and at his side, Helluin of the Noldor. These no enemy could withstand, for Eldacar, Vinitharya of Rhovanion, had been trained by the best sword masters of Gondor, and the courage of the Northmen and of the Dúnedain burned hot in his veins. Thither he and his guard were surrounded by Helluin's incandescence, and blue flames crackled from her eyes as she let the rage of battle flare within her, for she had resolved that no weapon would touch the king, distant son of her own blood and scion of the House of Huor.

Through the hours of the late afternoon and into the evening the battle raged, and both sides suffered loss ere night fell and the horns of Umbar called back Castamir's infantry. No resolution was reached that day, and though during the night yet more of the enemy lost their lives to the arrows of the Rangers, come the morn battle would be joined again. And whilst Castamir's forces lost numbers at a steady pace, o'er the following weeks, the forces of Eldacar grew as reinforcements did indeed come from the northern and the southern fiefs. The barricade held and the assault grew protracted. The invasion proceeded neither quickly nor decisively as Castamir and his allies from Umbar had hoped, and t'would be long ere they came to assail the walls of Osgiliath.

In their camp the frustration of Castamir grew with each day of the stalemate, and in the nights the assaults he'd long accepted as Sauron's continued. E'er was his course challenged, his setbacks paraded before his eyes with derision, and the progress of his campaign scorned. What proof more would thou have, little captain? Better thou had stayed aboard ship, for by land, thou art surely no general. Better still should thou have remained in Umbar and taken up its rule as my regent. Cruel visions tormented him, in which Eldacar appeared e'er the more kingly and beloved, whilst about him, his captains and soldiers whispered and shunned his presence so much as was possible. And he grew suspicious of them in turn and increasingly kept his own counsel, issuing orders and dispensing punishment as he alone saw fit, estranging himself all the further from his soldiers and his allies.

During that time also, many continued their labors on the defense, and ere it fell at last, there grew a wall of stone to replace the hastily built wooden barricade, for at that time, the first segment of the Pelennor Wall was founded. In days to come, many times would that fortification be strengthened, repaired, and amended ere the time of the Lord Steward Denethor II and the return of the king.

Now to the tired Rangers at the Ford of the Poros, the dawn of 18 Nórui came all too early it seemed, and they awoke to a fine sunrise o'ershadowed with the foreboding of battle. Already the Green Elf was seated high in the tulip tree, watching for the rise of dust that would announce the march of the invaders from Umbar. Alone and silent, she mourned the cutting of so many trees the day past, yet need had demanded their sacrifice and none of her reservations had she expressed, nor allowed her sorrow to show to the Men 'neath her command. O Queen of the Earth, thy forgiveness I beg, for on my orders great hurt has been done to thy olvar, and though done for good purpose and with regret, 'twas done all the same. Hold not to blame those who wielded their axes, but instead myself only who gave the order. No fitting restitution can I make, for those destroyed came into Arda of thy hand and thou alone hast such power. Alas! Today there shalt be battle, yet the first art already fallen and their fall is not unmourned.

Far away in the Uttermost West her prayer was heard, as such words had e'er been heard when true-spoken from the heart.

'Neath her the sounds of Men waking and moving prompted her to wipe away her tears and prepare herself to face her troops. Then the branch upon which she sat, whole and sound aforetime, suddenly cracked and gave way, and the Green Elf fell a full twelve fathoms into the Poros. She came up sputtering and flailing, much as Helluin had when the Eagle dropped her into Anduin 'nigh Osgiliath. Yet despite the height of her fall, her landing had been amply cushioned by the deepened waters just downstream from the ford and she took no hurt save her surprise. And whilst the first-risen Rangers hastened in alarm to her aid, she finally let a smile shape her lips, for in her fall she marked both the reception of her prayer and the mercy of the Valië.

Beinvír came from the Poros dripping wet, yet as the morning drew on the temperature rose with a southerly wind that brought the dry heat of Harad to Ithilien. Thankful that her travel bag had been on the ground below, she changed into dry clothes and then addressed her troops at their morning mess.

"Ere my bath I saw 'naught of dust rising to the south," she told them with a wry grin, "and so not yet has our foe broken camp. Yet if habit holds, then soon shalt they do so, and I make their arrival hither to come 'nigh four hours hence. Therefore, unless 'tis reported otherwise, in three hours we shalt remove all trace of our presence hither and deploy with half-companies as was assigned upstream and downstream yesterday. The remaining two companies shalt meet the first approach of the enemy hither"

Yet even as she finished speaking, a scout of the first watch came and whispered to her.

"Cónhal Beinvír, two have been espied north of the ford, in the upland woods east of the road. They look to be Dúnedain, yet not soldiers, for they wear common clothes. Local hunters I deem them, for they bear bows and they move not as ones stalking prey or foes, but rather as if seeking spoor."

"Halt them and ask their business, and if 'tis as thou suspect and they art hunters only, then warn them of a battle pending and send them home for their safety."

"Aye, and their purpose, if 'tis other?"

"Then bring them hence."

Some twenty minutes later three Rangers returned with the two Dúnedain walking before them. Yet these had been neither disarmed nor shackled. Beinvír marked that they indeed bore bows, and knives upon their belts, but not swords. Their surprise to see the Ranger encampment and the condition of the ford was plainly writ upon their faces.

"Wh…what goes forth…?" one asked in confusion.

"Art thou an Elf?" asked the other.

"Hail and well met, hunters of Ithilien," Beinvír said in greeting. "Thy day's hunt shalt prove fruitless, I fear, for shortly a battle shalt be joined hither, and perhaps for many days the ford shalt be contested. Thereafter these lands too may be contested, for an army comes north from Umbar to assail Osgiliath, and I would not that ye or your folk be caught in such a pass. If ye hail from a town 'nigh the road, I bid ye go and warn your folk for their safety."

For some moments the two Men stood silent in shock, digesting her words and still casting glances all about, as if to confirm the state in which they had found themselves.

"They seek to assail the king…and take Osgiliath?"

"There has been some talk aforetime…yet I deem that none believed t'would come to this…but I would know…" he trailed off, still looking about.

"Good hunters, such rumors have proved true, for even now King Eldacar may be defending his city against armies from Umbar 'neath the command of the Lord-Captain Castamir. These act on behalf of the nobles who oppose the Lord Eldacar's succession of his father, King Valacar, and they would unseat him. Therefore, whether ye support King Eldacar or no, I bid ye hence and not to return ere this land is clean of the invaders."

"Whether we support the king or not?" the second hunter asked with an edge of ire. "My family has dwelt in South Ithilien through all this Age and fought for Falastur and Eärnil, Ciryandil and Hyarmendacil. Rómendacil was a great king, and my father and grandfather esteemed his son, King Valacar too. For my part, I support King Eldacar and I would bear arms against his foes in these lands…especially those from Umbar."

"Thou speak my mind as well," the first hunter said. "My grandfather and his brother marched into the north with Rómendacil's army and fought in the east, far from home. I too would bear arms in support of King Eldacar."

"That is well, but have either of ye served aforetime in Gondor's army?" Beinvír asked.

For some moments the Men stood silent, but finally both shook their heads 'nay'.

"We have not been soldiers," the first hunter admitted, "but we can both shoot true, and we know well these lands."

"In our village art several who have served," the second hunter said, "and most either support the king outright or dislike the Men of Umbar from times long past, even to the time of the Great War. If thou would have us, we might bring such to support thee, or at the least, offer thee provisions in the days to come."

Allies unexpected could be a blessing, and at the least, provisions would save us from detailing some as hunters and gatherers, Beinvír thought. T'would seem a prayer unasked has been answered.

"Thy aid would indeed be welcome," she told the hunters, "and with our thanks I would that ye return to your homes and gather such as can also aid us. I wager that ere ye return, battle will be joined, and so ye may find the fighting in progress when next we meet."

The hunters greeted her words with thankful smiles, and ere they left, they named themselves Arahrýn¹ and Lastir² from the village of Celu Celeb³, which lay astride the road but a mile north of the ford. ¹(Arahrýn, Deer chaser = aras(deer) + rýn(chaser) At the partition of proper names, –s is changed to -h. Sindarin) ²(Lastir, Listener = lasto-(listen) + -ir(masc agent suff, n on v) Sindarin) ³(Celu Celeb, Silver Spring (lit. Spring of Silver) = celu(spring) + celeb(silver) Genitive construction. Sindarin)

Chapter Eighty-three

The Battles of the Poros and Pelennor – The Third Age of the Sun

Now following the departure of the huntsmen, the Rangers set about hiding their presence at the ford, and when no trace was to be seen of their camp, they moved in companies to their battle stations. Sergeant Langeleg with ten Rangers went downstream. Sergeant Celebthá took half his company upstream, whilst Sergeant Gilhuor and his company, along with Lieutenant Brógthínen commanding the two half companies, remained at the ford with Beinvír.

Chancing again the wrath of Yavanna, Beinvír climbed the tulip tree, and from that vantage espied the cloud of dust raised by the approaching army. 'Twas now but half the distance seen the night afore, and so she reckoned them 'nigh five miles to the south.

"Battle in one and one-half hours," she told Lieutenant Brógthínen after climbing down, and he passed the word to Sergeant Gilhuor and his Men.

Now the first foes to appear were a company of cavalry, and these examined the flooded ford and the partial blockage of the southern pass with deadfall, and with much cursing soon withdrew. After another quarter hour, being as no enemies had been seen, the further pass was filled with both infantry and cavalry, awaiting the decision of their officers on how best to proceed. These officers came as a group right to the water's edge to inspect the ford, and thither they were shot down by the Rangers, every single one.

Shocked silence followed in the southern cutting, and then, whilst troops drew their swords and searched for foes, yet more arrows came and more fell, for the ambush was wholly unexpected and still no targets presented themselves for their own archers to fire upon. Then, as the junior commanders desperately tried to preserve order, flaming arrows fell into the dead wood beside them and the cutting was soon engulfed in flames. The soldiers of Umbar fled in panicked disorder, and some were trampled by the horses of their own cavalry as all tried to escape the conflagration 'twixt the high stone walls. And too, no few died in flight, for the Rangers continued firing 'til all had withdrawn beyond bowshot.

Thus began the defense of Ithilien in 1432, a deadly and demoralizing welcome to the southernmost of the king's lands of old. And though 'twas just past the fourth hour after sunrise, the Men of Umbar withdrew south almost a league, and thither set a camp and ministered to their wounded, and sought to discern who stood next in command. So Ithilien and Minas Ithil, and Osgiliath too were graced with yet another day of peace, and the three score and five defenders felt the elation of victory, for though all knew the battle had just begun, still, it had been a good day.

Now in the mid-afternoon,Arahrýn and Lastir returned with another dozen Men of wide ranging ages, and four amongst them wore the uniform of Gondor's Northern Army, though these showed much wear from campaigning in years long past. All bore swords, some quite old, but newly sharpened, and many also carried bows. And one, an innkeeper named Merenúrhad¹, carried upon a back-frame a full cask of lamp oil. Beinvír and the Rangers received them gladly, and the Men of Celu Celeb joined their camp where introductions were made and many tidings were traded. ¹(Merenúrhad, Happy Hearth, (lit. Joyous Fire Place) = meren(joyous) +úr(fire) + sad(place) At the partition in Sindarin proper names, the –s changes to –h. Sindarin)

"Word we have sent to the towns north along the road," one of the ex-soldiers said, "and it may come to pass that more shalt join thy cause. The folk hereabouts art, for many generations, country people who favor not the prideful mien of such upper-class folk as travel at times from the south."

"Aye, in all their finery with 'naught to be found fancy enough to suit their tastes," Merenúrhad added. Others nodded in agreement.

"'Tis more than that," said the second hunter, Lastir. "Our distrust of Umbar goes back even to the Great War, when from thither came many to the service of Sauron…many whom our forefathers fought against in these lands."

"Yet history tells that in those days we had for allies 'nigh three dozen thousands of the Rangers of Lebennin added to the strength of Lord Anárion's army," the soldier said, "and so beleaguered Sauron's soldiery in Minas Ithil ere besieging and destroying them thither."

Then a second soldier who had remained silent 'til then spoke, and the other retired soldiers of Gondor harkened to him, for he was both older and upon his uniform he wore the second stripe of a corporal's rank.

"Cennan¹, of history thou speak true, and in these latter days, opposing a lesser foe in these same lands, we have again the aid of allies from Lebennin, fewer in numbers, aye, but 'neath the same commander." Here he dipped his head to Beinvír and Lieutenant Brógthínen who stood beside her, and said, "m'lady, 'tis known that thy people see both the repeating of events and the lessening of all things with time. Think thou that we can prevail and destroy again our enemy?" ¹(Cennan, Potter Sindarin)

"Nay, Úcúnon¹, I believe not that we shalt destroy them. Indeed we seek only to delay and hinder their advance, buying thus time for reinforcements to come to the king in Osgiliath," Beinvír told the old corporal. ¹(Úcúnon, Unbowed One = ú-(neg pref, un-, not) + cún(bowed, bent) + -on(agent suff, n on adj) Sindarin)

"'Tis a more realistic expectation, I suppose," Úcúnon admitted, "and I accept both thy mission and thy command."

His declaration was echoed by the others from Celu Celeb with many a muttered 'aye' and the nodding of heads in agreement.

Just ere the evening mess, another nine came to the Ranger's camp from the village of Harnamon¹, hunters with bows, several farmers bearing heirloom weapons, and three more ex-soldiers. These greeted the Men of Celu Caleb as neighbors and reported that tidings of Umbar's invasion had been passed yet further north and afield, and that they expected more to come. The Green Elf welcomed their aid, and as none of the ex-soldiers yet outranked Corporal Úcúnon, she provisionally placed them 'neath his command. ¹(Harnamon, South Hill = harn(southern) + amon(hill) Sindarin)

Now at the second hour past dawn upon the morrow, the forces from Umbar again marched to the ford, this time fully prepared to offer battle. The southern cutting, its deadwood long burnt to ash, was filled with infantry, warily advancing behind a roof and wall of shields. To the edge of the water they came, unopposed as upon the day afore. 'Naught of the defenders could they discern upon the northern bank. No glint of metal or hint of movement gave away the Ranger's presence, yet now all the invaders felt the menace of that place as they marked the burnt bodies still lying on the road, and the fire-blackened rock walls rising upon either side.

All seemed at peace. Even did birds call and squirrels cavort in the woods, and yet they felt that the very air about them hung thick with tension. Placid enough passed the water, yet for o'er a day the risen Poros had scoured the gravel bed of the ford, and now, 'neath the more swiftly moving current, the crossing was unstable, potholed and uneven, and for those afoot, ill-favored, especially when seeking to remain in tight formation and hold steady their wall of shields. With the conduits 'neath the ford plugged, the water came, not to mid-calf as aforetime, but rather ran with a depth reaching o'er a Man's waist ere they had marched two fathoms from the bank.

Grimly the soldiers of Umbar came forth, their wary eyes searching the further cutting and banks, whilst clenching tight their jaws with the effort of keeping both their footing and their formation. The ten-fathom breadth of the ford now seemed to stretch on for 'nigh a mile to their eyes.

Halfway 'cross the ford they had come, and still no sign of the defenders did they see, but the moving water had reached to mid-chest, forcing a great effort just to keep steady their shields, for these were now 'nigh half submerged, acting as rudders in the current. Slow was their pace and all felt as helpless ducks sitting before a patient bowman, yet foot by careful foot they advanced and none sought to stay them.

Now from upstream they saw floating towards them a very many branches, large and small, the natural flotsam of any river, yet aforetime Poros had run clean, and wherefore now had these come to hinder their progress? In their ranks, a few took to muttering of ill fate. 'Twas no avoiding them and Men prepared to ward off such as came against their formation, whilst trying to maintain their protective shield.

Soon the branches came and collected against the right flank of their files, and their progress ground to a halt, whilst with one hand each tried to ward off the entanglement of limb, branch, and twig. Yet their efforts, hindered thus by the necessity of maintaining their collective shield were for 'naught, and all felt the growing press of the current as the mass of wood against their side grew e'er greater. And still more branches came downstream, e'er more it seemed. Now Men braced themselves against the growing force of the water, and thoughts of advance gave way to the struggle to keep their footing. Without thought, bodies turned part sideways to face the water's pressure. Those not immediately upon the right flank sheathed their swords and used their sword arms to help brace their comrades on the upstream side.

From concealment upon the northern bank, the Green Elf watched as the column strained to hold its position whilst e'er more branches collected against them. 'Twas hopeless, of course. The severed limbs of Yavanna's folk would harness the strength of Ulmo's waters, a strength no Child of the One could withstand. To her eye, the balance 'twixt the strength of the Men's footing and the strength of the current would soon reach a tipping point, and the Men would be swept downstream. Unconsciously she calculated the count of approaching branches, added their effect to that of the branches already collected against the right flank of the column from Umbar, and deemed it sufficient.

With a subtle hand sign she signaled Lieutenant Brógthínen who in turn signaled Sergeant Gilhuor, and he the Ranger upstream from him. Swiftly the signal was passed, and without a sound, word soon came to those upstream to cease releasing branches.

Now all upon the northern side watched and waited. At the Ford of Poros the grim struggle continued. The soldiers of Umbar braced themselves desperately; they strained and pushed to support their comrades, grimacing and grunting with the effort. Soon curses were heard. None upon the southern bank could aid them, for downstream from the ford upon which the column stood, the water sharply deepened. And finally, though every soldier thought their enemy's arrows would soon fly against them, Men let their shields shift out of formation and used both arms to hold back their fellow soldiers.

Finally the last of the branches came against the column's upstream flank, and now the Rangers held their breath. In the column 'neath them, Men leant into the current, committing now all their strength to resisting the flow of Poros. Some abandoned their shields entirely, and these floated off with the current, to be collected at a safe distance downstream by the villagers of Celu Celeb and Harnamon.

The struggle continued for perhaps another ten minutes ere the strength of the Men failed, and then, slowly at first with the slippage of one Man downstream off the ford, the column wavered, buckled, and gave way. The soldiery of Umbar was swept off the ford and into the downstream depths, whither they swam and desperately fought to free themselves from the mass of branches. And whilst some few did indeed drown, submerged and entangled 'til their breath gave out, well 'nigh all finally made their way back to the southern cutting, soaked, exhausted, and demoralized. Though no enemy had been seen and no arrows had flown against them, still no few came to feel that their march was ill fated and even the Gods frowned upon their intent, for before them the Poros again ran clean.

To Be Continued