In An Age Before – Part 126
Chapter Eighty-six
The Subversion of Angrenost – The Third Age of the Sun
"Of course the Captain is 'otherwise occupied at present', and so we shalt await our audience at his convenience in this cell," Helluin griped as the three sat on the narrow bench along one wall of the chamber whither they had been incarcerated, and in which they had been left an hour aforetime after the sharp snick of a key turning in the iron door's lock. The boots of a pacing sentry occasionally seen through a small barred window 'nigh the ceiling in the opposite wall reported on the chamber's subterranean location.
"I thought that surely the mention of our past friendship with Gondor would sway the sergeant's favor," Beinvír muttered, more to herself than the others.
"The clod showed no more recognition of our names and references than would a cat of the words of its master, save perhaps the word dinner," Helluin replied.
"Or its own name," Maglor added with the hint of a grin at the corners of his lips.
"Save perhaps Berúthiel's cats," the Green Elf said. "Still, I find little humor in our situation. Surely even a common soldier should recognize the name of Elros?"
"T'would seem the memory of the Dúnedain has grown short of late," Helluin chaffed. "I pray the memory of the Captain proves not so short-lived as to forget our presence, awaiting his convenience in this cell."
The day passed slowly 'til finally the light within the chamber grew dim. Whether 'twas the Captain's lapse of memory, or other pressing matters that delayed him, 'twas 'nigh suppertime ere the three heard again the snick of a key turning the lock in the door of their cell. It creaked open to reveal a thick set Man easily identified as the Gaoler of Angrenost by the massive ring of keys in one hand and a studded truncheon on his belt. He bore a smoky torch in his other hand which he thrust forward as he carefully looked about the chamber, accounting for all as expected ere he stepped within and announced, "thy guests, my Lord Captain."
The Captain of Angrenost entered, looked at the captives for a heartbeat, blanched and ordered, "free them at once!"
With nary a look of surprise, the gaoler complied, gesturing the guests from the cell and into the hallway whither he stood at a chastened attention whilst his seething captain questioned him.
"How came such esteemed friends of the realm to be held as captives?"
"My Lord Captain, they were announced to thee by name upon their arrival, and thou ordered them held hither for interrogation at thy convenience. 'Twas proper procedure I followed, no more, no less."
"Their names were reported to me as Helen Morrel, Benir Liquin and Magor the Minstrel! By the Valar, Sergeant Iólaw¹ has made a mockery of this incident!" ¹(Iólaw, Corn Ears = iau(corn) + law(ears) In Sindarin proper names the diphthong –au simplifies to –ó. Sindarin)
The captain turned then to his guests and with a bow of respect, told them, "I must beg your forgiveness, for I am most truly mortified by this turn of events. The sergeant of the gate company has well 'nigh the best eyesight amongst us, but he hath too some natal flaw of hearing, or perhaps 'tis in making sense of 'aught spoken to him, I know not with certainty which, for 'tis oft that he cannot repeat accurately that which he hath heard."
Surprisingly, the captain then introduced his guests to the gaoler.
"Cónron¹, we have the great honor of hosting Úlairdacil Helluin Maeg-móremenel, victor in combat against Sauron's Nine in the Great War, a friend to such Edain as Húrin, Huor, Tuor, Eärendil, Elros, Elendil, Isildur and Anárion. Hither is Cónhal Beinvír Laiquende, who served King Anárion as High Commander of the Rangers of Lebennin for the defense of Ithilien and the wresting of Minas Ithil from Sauron's minions. And last," the captain looked wonderingly at Maglor with the keen eyes of a Dúnadan in whom the blood of Westernesse ran true, "is one of higher nobility than any other thou shalt meet upon the Hither Shores. Nom merenwain cin govannad, Fëanorion tadui². I am Captain Húnsál³ and I bid thee welcome." ¹(Cónron, Valorous One = caun(valor) + -ron(masc agent suff on noun, a valorous one) In Sindarin proper names, the diphthong –au simplifies to –ó. Sindarin) ²(Nom merenwain cin govannad, Fëanorion tadui, I am overjoyed to meet you, second son of Fëanor = no-(be) + -m(1st pers subj. pro suff I am) + meren(joyous) + -wain(superlative suff overjoyed) + cin(2nd pers dir obj pro you) + govanno-(meet) + -ad(inf suff to meet, verb follows dir obj pro you) + Fëanor + iond(son) + tad(two) + -ui(ordinal suff second) In Sindarin, the final -nd becomes –n, placing a noun after another creates a genitive construction, and the adjective follows the noun it modifies (Fëanorion tadui, second son of Fëanor) Sindarin) ³(Húnsál, Steady Heart = hún(heart organ) + thál(steady) At the partition in Sindarin proper names, -th becomes –s Sindarin)
The gaoler seemed little surprised to be given their right names and nodded to each in turn as they were introduced.
"Thy gracious welcome is greatly appreciated, Lord Captain," the Green Elf said with a short bow.
"Again I apologize sincerely for your inconvenience, my most esteemed visitors," the captain replied. "Truly 'tis unforgivable."
"Knowing now that the sergeant's difficulties arise from birth and not malice, I find I cannot in good conscience be wroth with him," Maglor added. "Who may know the wisdom of Ilúvatar? Perhaps his condition is a gift disguised which shalt bring good fortune someday."
"A gift much like a club foot, hunchback, or hair lip that defies all reckoning," Helluin muttered, at almost the same time as the goaler said 'neath his breath, "I but pray he not be charged with passing battle orders lest we attack ourselves." Their eyes met and both grinned.
Shortly later the three Eldar, with the captain, and surprisingly, Cónron the gaoler, sat in comfortable chairs at table in the same meeting chamber whither Helluin and Beinvír had met with Captain Barahir in S.A. 3430. Thither the captain's board was laid with platters of fare whose aromas whetted the appetites of the Elves, for upon the road, it had been long indeed since they had feasted so lavishly. 'Twas not lost upon Helluin and Beinvír that the captain dined not in the common mess with his Men, as had Captain Galdor in T.A. 1002.
Now after a moment's solemn silence for thanksgiving, a tradition which the three were very happy to see observed, wine was poured and the conversation continued. Politics and the succession were unavoidable topics, and when these came up, 'twas only after assuring themselves of their privacy that the captain spoke candidly.
"We live in troubled times, my friends," the captain said, "and much that none had thought to see in this kingdom has come to pass, as if Gondor were a realm of savages. And yet many have been swept up in the times and follow authority as best they can…" he trailed off, and after carefully looking each of the three in the eyes for some moments, concluded with, "whilst giving no thought to its quality."
"Time and again have I seen the strong lead the weak willed to their ruin," Helluin said. "Thousands of Hillmen and Dunlendings followed the will of Angmar and gained 'naught but defeat and death. Even the greater part of thy own folk followed Ar-Pharazôn to their doom in Aman the Forbidden."
The captain nodded gravely in agreement. Worse things than what had come to pass of late had been presaged in his own people's history. Perhaps the resulting ruin of his times would be the less as well.
"So things stand now," Cónron said, speaking seriously for the first time on the subject, "for a great part of the army accepts and follows the will of Castamir the Usurper, and art thereby no better than traitors to Gondor and its rightful king."
And with that, he declared whither he and his captain stood.
"I deem t'would please ye to know that the situation in Gondor shalt soon change," Helluin declared, "for the king comes again."
Wide smiles graced the faces of Captain Húnsál and Cónron the Gaoler.
''Tis our mission to secure Angrenost and spread the word amongst the king's supporters in Calenardhon, that upon his return they should rise up against the soldiery of Castamir," Beinvír added.
"We come at his bidding to prepare the field in his favor," Maglor said, "and now I feel confident of your aid to our cause."
"My aid thou shalt have indeed," the captain said with enthusiasm. "Thy words art the most welcome to my ears in many a long year."
"And to mine as well," Cónron agreed. "'Tis long that I have hidden amongst my enemies, play acting the part of a gaoler from Harondor deployed hither as a spy and watchdog by the Lord Castamir's order. The part has been most distasteful."
"Cónron hails from Lebennin, my friends, and technically he outranks me," Captain Húnsál told them, "being the former Lieutenant Commander of the Lebennin Rangers serving Gondor in Calenardhon."
"Confining ye hither in gaol was one of the most distasteful acts in all my years since King Eldacar's defeat," Cónron said, and then, dipping his head to the two ellith, he placed his right fist o'er his heart and added, "and pretending to recognize ye not was the hardest part of my act, First Guardians."
"Why art thou now the former Lieutenant Commander?" Beinvír asked.
Cónron sighed, but answered, "because quite simply my command no longer is. All known Rangers were ordered back to Lebennin shortly following Castamir's victory in Osgiliath, or more oft, slain if they resisted. Those Rangers remaining in Calenardhon do so in disguise, wearing no tokens and for the most part, bearing no arms. I deem some two thousands remain scattered hither and thither 'twixt Isen and Onodló, their identities hidden, living as farmers, tradesmen, herders and such, in hope of someday resuming the battle on behalf of the right king of Gondor."
"Hast thou a means of contacting them?" Maglor asked.
"T'would be a thing most difficult," Cónron said, "for I am billeted hither by order of the Lord Castamir, or so the garrison believes, and the surviving Rangers art scattered. Tidings spread 'twixt them now only slowly, by word of mouth one to another."
"If we could meet but one such Ranger, I deem our appearance alone would ensure they heed our call and spread our tidings with such speed as they can," Beinvír said.
"I wager thy appearance would be news worthy of haste indeed," Cónron agreed with a chuckle, "and one such Ranger that I know abides 'nigh enough that I would meet with him from time to time. Aduial¹ is his name, and he was once a sergeant in my command." ¹(Aduial, Twilight Sindarin)
"How shalt we find him?" Beinvír asked.
"He hath run a small grist mill 'nigh the Fords of Angren for the past seven years," Cónron said. "I saw him but two months past. He bears a sword scar from brow to cheek upon the left side of his face. Mention my name to him."
The Green Elf nodded her thanks.
"Pray tell, what of thy superior officer, the Commander of Rangers?" Helluin asked.
"Disappeared years ago with several companies 'neath his command in the forested valley 'twixt Amon Dîn and Mindolluin," Cónron answered sadly, "no doubt slain doing battle with soldiers of Umbar as they advanced northwards after taking Osgiliath."
Hearing this, Helluin gave Beinvír a strange look that the captain and the lieutenant commander understood not, recalling that in T.A. 870 they had been stalked in that same valley by a company of Drúedain whilst traveling to Osgiliath whither they met Queen Berúthiel. The Green Elf's eyes widened a fraction in understanding, but neither spoke their suspicions.
Now the conversation turned to topics of logistics and of the intentions for retaking the throne. Yet the goals of their mission led Helluin to ask after the garrison of Angrenost.
"Captain, how stand thy troops? Would some support Eldacar's return, or art all loyal to Castamir?"
For some moments Captain Húnsál remained silent in thought, mentally tallying the fealty of the soldiers 'neath his command.
"Of the three hundreds deployed hither, I deem none loyal to the right king with unquestioned certainty. And though so much as a fifth of them may support him in their hearts, still they art constrained by their sense of duty and the fear of reprisals against themselves and their families. I would be loath to place them in a position of trust with thy tidings, or count upon their aid in an uprising," the captain said.
"So we art then to depend solely upon the Rangers in hiding," Beinvír said.
"Aye," Húnsál agreed with obvious regret, "t'would be the most prudent course."
"Then 'tis better than we expected," Maglor said, "for ere we came to Angrenost we deemed t'would be necessary to act without aid and subdue all within."
The declaration was chilling to the two Men, for they knew enough of these three Elves' history to doubt not their prowess or their ability to achieve that goal.
"What shalt become of my Men?" Captain Húnsál asked. Despite so many differences and the basic disagreement with their loyalty to Castamir, the soldiers at Angrenost were Men of the Gondor that he knew, not Men of Umbar, and he had long been their commanding officer.
"In the long run, I know not," Helluin said. "Perhaps in his wisdom the Lord Eldacar shalt offer them pardon, but for now they shalt raise no arms against the return of the king."
The next eve, that being 7 Nórui, word spread throughout the garrison that the three Elves had satisfied their captain that they posed no threat to lord or land, and so they would be present as guests at the evening meal, a favor they would repay with many tales and songs. This special occasion had prompted their captain to grant leave of duty for attendance to all save those upon watch, a scant thirty out of three hundreds. As such entertainments were rare, (indeed unprecedented was rather more accurate), all two hundred and seventy soldiers granted leave were expected to be present at the dining hour in the cavernous mess hall.
Now the evening meal began with the observance of the silence of Thanksgiving, after which all attacked their victuals with gusto. The captain sat with his guests and his lieutenants at a long table set at the head of the room before a massive hearth, and the three Elves told many tales of their travels, astonishing all, be they wholly loyal to Castamir or not, for their journeys stretched back to the Elder Days, and indeed even to the time of the Westward March 'neath the stars alone. With stories of far off times and places, they won such esteem as the soldiers could bestow upon strangers, tempered always by their visceral distrust…of strangers. Indeed, none had met aforetime any of the Elder Children, and so 'twas an experience in all ways new, save that some themes resonated in their own hearts; duty, love of country, and right devotion to their lords. Such things every soldier understood. And so as the evening meal progressed, those who listened came to feel that they had 'aught in common with these guests, more so than e'er aforetime they had suspected.
For their part, the Elves took great pains in editing their stories so as to appear the less threatening, their history less horrific, and for Helluin's case in particular, less fraught with uncontrolled wrath, endless bloodshed, and rampant destruction.
I have offered up vignettes from the milquetoast version of my life's story, the Noldo told the Green Elf in silence, eye to eye, wherein I would mistake myself for a pacifist.
I have presented a much diluted account of my years as well, Beinvír replied.
And I barely recognized myself in my account, it lacking the troubles in Alqualondë, the Helcaraxë, Avernien, and 'naught but the most passing mention of the Silmarils, Maglor confided.
'Round them the laden platters lightened, whilst flagons and pitchers were emptied and stomachs filled. The gathered company enjoyed their meal with much good cheer and many a jest, for despite their post being an acknowledged backwater, far off the track of career advancement, upon this night the Men felt more content than was their habit. Those who gave thought to it credited their contentment to the abundant food and spirits, for the song of power went unnoticed by their waking minds and was marked only deep in their souls. That the voice of the singer shifted from time to time they ne'er noticed at all. Neither melody would they recall, nor lyric come unbidden from memory to tongue. As had been long aforetime with the third theme of the Great Music, the melody was soft and unassuming, and yet it contained the greatest power. It enchanted and enthralled all who heard it, and afterwards, true would be the words now they shalt raise no arms against the return of the king.
Ere the Elvish songs ended the after dinner entertainments, the trio had subdued the garrison of Angrenost whilst causing harm to none. Indeed none even suspected that they had been affected, for the spell caused 'naught to change save that in their deepest minds, there now stood the strictest prohibition, to stay their hands from raising arms against Eldacar's cause. 'Twas a deftly woven lúth¹ and t'would force them to recall that they were Men of Gondor, not of Umbar. To cleave now to Castamir against the King of Gondor would bring debilitating nausea and incapacitating pain. ¹(lúth, spell, charm Sindarin)
And what of those thirty still on duty who heard not the song, Beinvír asked of Helluin in silence when their eyes met.
If odds hold true, then one in five already favors Eldacar, the Noldo replied, yet 'naught shalt be left to chance. When they come hither to their mess at their duty's end, Maglor shalt serenade them.
Now after all the songs and stories, and some final words from their captain, the soldiers retired and the three Eldar, along with Captain Húnsál, returned to the private chamber in which they had spoken aforetime.
"Great thanks we owe thee for thy aid," Helluin said, "yet one further favor I must have of thee."
When the captain looked to her in question, she captured his eyes and thus constrained him. Lost in a falling summer sky of endless blue he felt, and thither his awareness of time, and word and deed failed utterly. Of what followed, no memories would his mind recall 'til he found himself again eye to eye with Helluin as she blinked and released him from bondage.
"I require the use of the king's palantír," she said, though he heard 'naught, "and so I shalt ask thee not for a permission thou cannot grant."
With a sigh she stood and said, "come, I deem the time is right to greet the king."
Maglor and Beinvír joined her and they withdrew to the viewing chamber of Angrenost. Thither, centered in an octagonal space of some four fathoms breadth, sat the Seeing Stone upon a carved stone pedestal four feet in height. 'Twas swathed in dark velvet, colored a burgundy so deep as to appear black. This Helluin lifted away and set aside.
The Angrenost Stone she knew from aforetime, having used it to goad and mislead Sauron ere the War of the Last Alliance. Now when she commanded its vision, an image of King Eldacar immediately appeared. He had obviously been engaged in his long accustomed nightly viewing of his lost realm and recoiled from his stone when 'twas deftly wrenched from his control, a look of shock etched upon his face.
"Thy pardon, m'lord," Helluin said, stifling a grin with effort. "I regret 'tis no way to announce aforehand my presence."
The king swallowed hard and calmed himself with a deep breath after recognizing her. Behind her, the faces of Beinvír and Maglor peered at him.
"I take it thou hast subdued the threat of Angrenost?" He asked, mind to mind.
"Indeed 'tis just so, O king," the Noldo replied, "and perhaps even shalt we acquire some allies, for we have heard tell that many Lebennin Rangers remain at large, moving incognito amongst the common folk of Calenardhon."
A wide smile graced Eldacar's features upon hearing this news. Helluin nodded to him and continued her tidings.
"My lord, as expected, Linhir and all of Lebennin stand with thee. Edhellond and Belfalas shalt not actively aid thee at arms, yet neither shalt they oppose thee. Lamedon too shalt stand aside, though their lord descends from the mountain kings of old and has little love for Gondor. Still he shalt not stand against thee, favoring Castamir the less. Anfalas shalt be of no use to thy cause, for 'tis too sparsely populated and too far afield. The garrison of Angrenost is neutralized, and upon the morrow we shalt seek for these hidden Rangers."
"Do I guess aright that thy mission may encompass the warm months yet to come?"
"Aye."
"Then I shalt plan to meet thee next spring. Gwirith's rains bring blooms in Lothron 'tis said, and so the invasion shalt come with the cessation of the spring flooding, for many horses must cross Anduin at the North Undeep. May we meet again thither upon 7 Lothron next."
"So be it, Lord Eldacar. T'will be in the summer of '47 that we come against Castamir at last."
And with that, the Angrenost Stone went dark. Helluin sighed. Their company had much work to do and the months would pass quickly.
"Come, mellyn nín, I deem we art done hither, and I must return the captain to himself."
To Be Continued