In An Age Before - Part 127
Chapter Eighty-seven
The Liberation of Calenardhon – The Third Age of the Sun
Now during the following months the company made much progress at enlisting the hidden Rangers of Calenardhon. Acting upon the information provided by former Lieutenant Commander Cónron, they first found the former Sergeant Aduial, who was repairing a wooden chute directing water o'er the large paddle-wheel that turned the workings within his mill.
Upon the morn of 9 Nórui the whistle of a hawk, thrice repeated, came from the verge of the wood 'nigh the clearing 'round the grist mill. By the water, the miller's head jerked up, recognizing the Ranger signal of friendlies approaching. He stood from his labors, a mallet in one hand, iron nails in the other, scanning the tree line from whence the call had come. In quick order his search was rewarded by the appearance of a company of ten Rangers dressed for travel, led by a lieutenant. From long habit he saluted by bowing his head and placing his right fist o'er his heart, though now he wore no broach to clasp.
When they had met, Lieutenant Sírondren declared his name and then asked, "art thou Sergeant Aduial who once served 'neath Lieutenant Commander Cónron?" Already he had marked the scar from a sword cut 'cross the miller's left cheek.
"Aye," the miller answered, "I served thus in better days, but long ago it seems now."
"'Tis not so long ago that its cause may not be redressed," the lieutenant said sternly. "By command of the First Guardians and Lord Barahíl in Linhir, thou art hereby recalled to thy service of Lebennin and the king."
'Twas a wide smile of joy that graced the miller's face as he repeated his salute to acknowledge the order.
"If time allows, may I retrieve my gear and weapons, sir?"
"Time indeed allows, good sergeant," a soft voice at his shoulder said, causing him to whip 'round in shock to face the two who stood now but an arm's length away. "Yet more even than thy arms, we require thy knowledge. 'Tis said an army lies hidden in these lands, and through thee we seek to raise them to aid the return of the king."
And there 'twas…a cause both for joy and awe. After the years of defeat and hiding, and the dimming of hope, and yes, the guilt of having failed in his duty, before him now stood not only a chance to amend the past and build the future, but the living link to his people's most cherished history; the era in which his people became a nation. He could only nod yes through the tears of joy and thanksgiving that ran freely down his face, and unashamed, he fell to his knees before the First Guardians of his people.
Beinvír stooped to take his hand, and gently she raised him to his feet. In her touch he felt the growth of his hope and a sense of forgiveness he would e'er after associate with the divine. And though he knew full well that she was one of the Elder Children, not one of the Maiar, still to him 'twas as if a blessing from the Everlasting West had been gifted to his mortal life.
Standing now, he looked from the Green Elf to her taller companion, and thither, in her eyes of endless blue he was held, powerless to resist, yet gently, as if with loving regard. And then into his mind came the gift of visions. Thither King Eldacar stood gazing out 'cross a field of tall grass whereupon thousands of horsemen rode in companies, drilling for war. Beyond them, ranks upon ranks of foot soldiers stood for review. 'Twas surely the northland, and thither, his king prepared to march upon Gondor for to reclaim his crown and liberate his people.
With a blink Helluin released him and he stood stock still, his mind returning to the waking world. What he had seen he would e'er after treasure. In the constancy of the First Guardians' presence lay the comfort that some things changed not, and in the vision of his king lay the promise that ill deeds could be undone. In the short span since he had heard the call of a hawk, all the years since the fall of Osgiliath were redeemed in his heart
It took some moments for him to regain his composure, yet when that was done, he said, "of the Rangers hidden in these lands I have kept contact with 'nigh a dozen, and they with others so that in an e'er widening net your words shalt be passed. Meetings shalt be arranged and your presence shalt cement our resolve. I deem that in a season or two at most, all remaining Rangers shalt know to make themselves ready to serve again. 'Tis their long cherished dream come true."
To this, Helluin nodded in satisfaction and then produced the call of a loon thrice repeated. Almost immediately from the same verge of the forest whence the ten Rangers had come, Maglor and a company of his troops broke cover. Sergeant Aduial blinked and looked hard at them as they advanced. Even in broad daylight and within the clearing 'twas difficult to track them, or make a certain count of their numbers. The lieutenant and his company didn't even bother to try, having traveled with these troops now for some months.
"Seldom is this place wholly secure from the eyes of Angrenost," the sergeant warned, marking the growing count of rebels standing revealed in the clearing. "As oft as thrice weekly do patrols come hither, as do those traveling thither as well."
"No such shalt approach whilst we tarry," Helluin reassured him with a grim grin, knowing that the majority of Maglor's warriors kept safe the perimeter.
Still 'twas with haste that the sergeant retrieved and donned his old uniform, well worn, but mended and cleaned and carefully stored long ago. Next he girt his weapons about him, bow and quiver, sword and dagger. Ere he clasped his cloak, he lovingly kissed the Sarchram broach that pinned it at the throat, and then, clad again at last as a Sergeant of the Rangers of Lebennin, he saluted the lieutenant and the First Guardians and stood awaiting his orders. When they took their leave shortly thereafter the mill stood abandoned, idle save for its large, wooden wheel turning 'neath the water's ceaseless caress.
Through the remainder of the month of Nórui, (June), and the following months of Cerveth, Urui, and Ivanneth, (July, August, and September), Sergeant Aduial led the company to meeting after meeting, sometimes with a single Ranger, and other times with small groups who had gathered as rumor of them spread amongst the hidden ranks. Indeed by mid-Ivanneth, now and then upon the road they would be approached by an itinerant craftsman, or a farmer upon his wagon, or a company of traders, and these would stop and offer the salute of the Rangers, for 'twas not oft that one met thirteen in such worn travel garb riding together, yet if one looked close, so well armed, and to the Rangers, the First Guardians were unmistakable. The salutes were returned in kind, and then from the verges of the road upon either side, the remainder of the company would break cover and appear to these newcomers, ten dozen of Elvish warriors more stealthy than any Ranger, and some two dozen Rangers who had joined them. Those they met would rejoice that they had indeed found those of whom rumor had told. At such times, all would take to the countryside, and well out of sight of the road make a camp for a night, to share a meal and many tidings. And when they parted again in the morn the army was enriched and its numbers increased, and so word of them continued to spread.
Now the harvest came in with the month of Ivanneth, and early in the following month of Narbeleth, upon the night of the first full moon following the equinox, two came in solemn reverence to the Hallow upon Mindolluin. 'Neath their very feet it seemed, the city of Minas Anor lay still, at rest as Tilion guided Ithil 'cross the dark heavens. Beyond stretched the dim and silent Pelennor, basking in his sheen, whilst o'er the river lay a mist that softened the outlines of Osgiliath. And further still lay a tall shadow that eclipsed the stars…the Ephel Dúath, rampart of the Black Land.
Through the remaining hours of darkness these two sat silent, at times speaking eye to eye, and at times reflecting upon their memories. At some point each recalled a night long aforetime when the predawn brought two brothers hence, devout kings sincere in their thanksgiving for the blessings of their new realm, and a sunrise followed by tidings from the Eternal West. Yet upon this morn they expected none to come 'nigh the Hallow, for upon this day in recent years, Castamir had remained at his palace in Osgiliath.
Soon it seemed, the sky lightened, the change at first imperceptible to mortal eyes, yet obvious to one born ere Arien first carried Anar skyward. With a nod to her partner, the Noldo and the Green Elf drew from their travel bags an ear of corn, a small squash, a branch bearing clustered hazelnuts, and a bunch of grapes. These they set reverently at the verge of the Hallow, and then they knelt in silence to watch the sunrise upon the morn of the Eruhantalë.
Upon that same morn, far to the north in the night-darkened lands 'twixt Calenglad i'Dhaer and Celduin, a lone Man knelt in a bare patch amidst the tall grass. Upon the ground before him lay sheaves of wheat, barley, and rye, potatoes, beans, and ears of corn. Thither too, as in Gondor, the sun rose. Then, speaking words in Quenya as was his hereditary charge, he offered thanks to the One for the bounty and blessings of his people…all of his people. Ne'er did he doubt that his prayer would be heard, for all his history and all his heart told him that those in the West had e'er heard the words of the Kings. So 'twas that far away in the Undying Lands his words were indeed heard, as e'er they had been, and a greater King, Regent of the One upon Eä, turned his sight from the two upon Mindolluin, and recognized by yet another token the heart of the true King of the Númenóreans in Exile.
Early in the month of Narbeleth, (November), the ten Rangers who had joined the company in Linhir returned thither o'er passes in the Ered Nimrais known only to a few. Greetings and many tidings they bore hence to the Lord Barahíl, including details of the battle plan and its timetable. Within the week, an army of Rangers numbering some three thousands marched forth to the headwaters of the River Tumladen, and thence 'cross the White Mountain passes. From those heights they descended into the valley behind Eilenach, and then made their way west. Another three thousands would make the same trip in early spring.
At this time too, Helluin and Beinvír, with Maglor and his warriors, crossed Anduin with great stealth by way of Osgiliath, and coming again to Ithilien, made their way from village to village, contacting those aging veterans who had aided them in the defense of the city nine years aforetime. Through the remainder of Narbeleth and then Girithron they slowly traveled south, establishing a network of rebels eager to aid Eldacar's cause. These they charged with waylaying the road from Umbar and harrying any forces in Ithilien loyal to Castamir, beginning upon 7 Lothron, (May 7th) next. They spent New Year's Day at the village of Celu Celeb 'nigh the rebuilt Ford of Poros, in the good company of the hunters Arahrýn and Lastir. Then, as the new year 1447 opened, they began their return north, crossing west o'er Anduin upon 24 Narwain.
Now the months of Nínui and Gwaeron came and went. Slowly the days warmed from winter's frost, and buds could be seen swelling upon the branch tips of rhododendron, magnolia, and hazel, with the promise of wild cherry and dogwood in Gwirith. As the spring rains of Gwirith came in, many more companies of Rangers completed their secret journey from Linhir, joining groups of Men already gathering throughout Calenardhon, mostly in the vales of the Ered Nimrais, in camps well out of sight of the road. Thither did these companies greet comrades long sundered, hone their blades, fletch their arrows, repair aging gear, and drill for war. So their numbers increased with the growing warmth of early spring.
Upon the eve of 7 Gwirith, (April 7th), in a camp 'nigh the vale 'neath Erelas, Helluin closed her eyes and concentrated upon the north, calling to the Stone of Minas Anor, and having taken control of its vision, greeted the Lord Eldacar.
"Fair tidings I have for thee, O King, for massing now in Calenardhon is an army of Rangers numbering some eight thousands. 'Cross Anduin, the volunteers of Ithilien who aided thy cause in the last war stand ready to serve again by waylaying the road from the Poros northwards against any such reinforcements as Castamir may send forth to Osgiliath or Minas Ithil."
A broad smile graced the face of the exiled king.
"Very welcome art thy words, Helluin. In one month's time I shalt return to free my father's realm at last," he declared. "It seems a thing so long in coming, as to be from another lifetime, yet by the grace of the Valar, we shalt sweep clean the usurper's soldiers from Limlight down to Pelargir."
For a moment Helluin imagined the movements of the armies. She realized that precious days could be squandered in the lands 'twixt the downs, from Fangorn Forest in the west to Anduin.
"Lord Eldacar, if I may counsel thee, cross not at the North Undeep. Spend not the surprise of thy onslaught upon the coarse and difficult terrain of the Brown Lands 'twixt Anduin's bends, whither the presence of the enemy is small. Cross rather at the South Undeep to meet the remnants of Castamir's Men driven east by the Rangers coming from Calenardhon, and once the slaughter is complete, sweep south to Minas Anor and Osgiliath with thy full strength."
"Thy counsel I shalt gladly take, Helluin, if thou art certain none shalt assail my army's rear guard from those rough lands. Thither many could wait unmarked."
"Lord Eldacar, by 7 Lothron it shalt be so."
"Then the army shalt cross by the South Undeep and I shalt greet thee upon the field soon after. Many thanks, my friend."
"Yet I shalt speak to thee again ere that, when we hold the fortress of Angrenost in the name of the King. T'will be a week hence, I deem. We ride west tonight."
"Good fortune be with thee and may the Valar keep thee and thy beloved from harm."
With a dip of her head to acknowledge the king's good wishes, Helluin closed the contact. After a deep and cleansing breath she turned to the Prince of the House of Fëanor.
"Thou hast thy mission."
"Aye," Maglor replied, "and more than enough time to achieve it. Being then so close, I feel the time ripe to visit the great realm of Fangorn Wood, for thither, if lore still holds true, dwell some ancients with whom I would hold converse."
Helluin smiled at her fellow Noldo's desire to meet with the Enyd. She just hoped he didn't lose track of the time, for a quick chat with an Ent could take weeks.
The Green Elf came to her side and asked, "ready, melien?"
"Aye," Helluin replied with a smile, "let us ride for Angrenost."
Following her speech with King Eldacar in the north, the two ellith, along with Maglor and his warriors, hastened west along the road, stopping only to rest their horses and consume their meals. They passed openly, and though they displayed no banners, common folk took them for warriors of the king, mercenaries from Umbar perhaps, for who other than Castamir's Men could they be to ride so brazenly?
Just ere noon on 9 Gwirith, Maglor led his warriors off the road just west of the stream that runs down from Halifirien, to cross the wide grasslands and disappear into the north.
"Good fortune to thee in battle, meldir nín," Helluin said in parting. "I pray thee offer my greetings to Lord Fangorn should thou meet."
"Glad I shalt be to do so, should the time favor me with such a meeting," Maglor replied. "Good fortune to thee in battle, meldis nín."
In the eve of 10 Gwirith, Helluin and Beinvír came to the outthrust hill whither the stream coming down from the Starkhorn bent in a knee 'bout it, and upon which Edoras would stand in days long ahead. Thither a company of Rangers awaited them, and amongst these were Lieutenant Sírondren, recently returned from Linhir, and Sergeant Aduial who knew the lands about Angrenost best.
"'Tis good to see ye safe, First Guardians," the lieutenant said in greeting. "Lord Barahíl sends his regards and hopes for victory."
"'Tis good to see ye safe as well," the Green Elf replied, looking from one to the other.
"Is all moving according to the plan?" Helluin asked.
"Aye, we art ready," Lieutenant Sírondren assured them.
"We art ready and eager," Sergeant Aduial added, a wide smile upon his face. "And so at last it begins."
"Already much moves, my friends, in the north, in Ithilien, and hither, in Calenardhon," Helluin said. "We ride for Angrenost at first light, and thither the first stroke shalt fall."
Yet her claim was not true, for though none would later recall it, even as Helluin and Beinvír, with a company of Rangers numbering some two hundreds, mounted to ride west, the twang of bow strings and the hiss of arrows came in the scant light of dawn some twenty-five leagues to the northeast, whither four Elvish warriors from Rhûn shot down an approaching scouting party of soldiers from Umbar.
In the silent hours ere the dawn of 14 Gwirith, one came in stealth up the road to Angrenost and passed the sentries leaving none the wiser. The shadowy figure breached the gate of the strongest fortress of the Southern Dúnedain and made her way down corridors, slipping past guards despite their practiced vigilance. At last she stopped before a stout wooden door 'nigh the top of a staircase leading down into the depths of the fortress, and seeing light 'neath the door, scratched with her nails upon the planks. After a moment the door opened, the Man inside sucking in his breath to silence his surprise even as he moved to step aside. He quickly closed the door behind his visitor.
Once within his chamber, she drew back the shrouding hood of her cloak, and in a soft voice addressed him formally.
"Lieutenant Commander Cónron, thou art hereby recalled to the service of Lebennin and the Right King of Gondor, by order of the First Guardians and Lord Barahíl in Linhir. Dost thou comply?"
For long moments silence reigned as the gaoler of Angrenost mastered the flood of long pent emotions which rose, but partially unexpected, within him. Finally he blinked, took a deep breath, and made his answer.
"With joyful fealty do I accept the honor to serve Lebennin and the Right King of Gondor at the calling of the First Guardians and my Lord Barahíl. I feel I have awaited this day half a lifetime, Cónhal Beinvír."
"Then thou art to accompany me now, and in the morn, thou shalt demand the surrender of the Fortress of Angrenost in the name of the King."
The formalities done, she drew open her cloak, and from 'neath it proffered a similar cloak cut to fit his greater stature. Gratefully he accepted it, and donning it with familiarity, turned to his desk and blew out the single candle lighting the room. In moments they were gone, and shortly later two figures took their leave of the gate of Angrenost with stealth, a stealth that one had been born to in an Age before, but that the other had learnt with effort in his youth and ne'er forgotten.
To Be Continued