In An Age Before – Part 128
'Twas an hour past dawn on 14 Gwirith when the guard detail at the gate of Angrenost espied three afoot approaching upon the road. Sergeant Iólaw again stood at the head of a formation of sixteen soldiers of Gondor to hail them when they reached a distance of two fathoms. Thither came two of the same three Eldar he had met aforetime, and more astonishingly, a Man in the garb of a Ranger of Lebennin whom he would hath sworn was none other than the gaoler, Cónron. So unexpected was this pass that for a moment the familiar words escaped him. Ere he could speak, the three came to a halt.
Then the Ranger called out, "in the name of Eldacar, son of Valacar, Right King of Gondor, I demand the presence of thy Captain for to surrender the fortress of Angrenost."
"This fortress is 'neath the rule of His Majesty King Castamir, Captain-Admiral of the Fleets and Lord Commander of the Armies of Gondor," Sergeant Iólaw ground out in reply. "Thou stand in defiance of his rule, declaring thyselves rebels and enemies of Gondor. Thou shalt surrender at once."
The sergeant then half turned, and with a sharp gesture, hastened one of his company hence to report to their captain. At the same moment, the empty verges of the road rustled, and rank after rank of Rangers appeared, forming a block formation that he estimated at no less than two hundreds, who stood at attention, silently backing the trio.
Now badly outnumbered and forced to shift his intentions from taking prisoners to defending the gate, the sergeant ordered, "Dirnaith!"
To the credit of their training, his soldiers reacted at once, moving into a precise wedge formation the breadth of the gate, with their sergeant at its apex. Then silence followed; the wary soldiers facing the silent Rangers, and none moving lest a needless battle should start at even the slightest misunderstanding. Thus stood the situation when Captain Húnsál and a detail of soldiers arrived at the gate. When he saw the Ranger force with Helluin, Beinvír, and Cónron at their head, he exhaled in a long sigh and a brief smile crossed his lips. Then he strode forward to meet them. Thereafter all would be but a formality long anticipated.
"I am Captain Húnsál, Commander of the Fortress and Garrison of Angrenost. Who comes demanding surrender?" He challenged in a clear voice so that the Men upon the walls could hear all that was said.
"I, Cónron of Linhir, Lieutenant Commander of the Rangers of Lebennin deployed to Calenardhon, loyal officer of Lord Eldacar son of Valacar, Right King of the Realm of Gondor. In his name I demand the surrender of the Fortress and Garrison of Angrenost from its occupation by those loyal to Castamir the Usurper."
"Thou outnumber us hither at the gate, yet against the garrison within Angrenost, thy count is the lesser," Captain Húnsál said, "how then shalt thou force this surrender?"
"Captain, the count of thy garrison to oppose us may not be so great as thou would believe," Cónron called out.
"Nay," Captain Húnsál replied, "the loyalty of these soldiers is true and their duty is clear." Then he called out so the Men upon the walls and those within could hear. "If thou be soldiers of Gondor true to King Castamir, Captain-Admiral of Gondor, say aye!"
Then from the walls and the court within there came a great shout from the soldiers, "AYE!" Alone amongst them all, Captain Húnsál kept his lips tightly shut.
"By your thought and your word have ye declared your loyalty," Lieutenant Commander Cónron said, "and having done thus, ye shalt find that hereafter ye can raise no arms against those loyal to King Eldacar, lest pain and torment come upon ye."
In answer, Sergeant Iólaw and the 15 remaining soldiers of his detail drew their swords, but immediately all were struck down, driven to their knees with cries of anguish. Their swords fell forgotten from their hands as they clutched at the ringing pain in their heads. Upon the wall many cried out whilst others tried to draw their weapons, but they too were struck down.
After some moments, during which Captain Húnsál took careful measure of the defense, he offered a formal capitulation.
"Lieutenant Commander Cónron, I yield the Fortress and Garrison of Angrenost. Soldiers of Gondor, stand down."
Then Helluin walked past them to the postern door, and entering Angrenost first lest any of the garrison had been transferred after the spell was cast, made her way to the gate room. Thither she unbarred and opened the gate, and the column of Rangers marched unopposed into the strongest fortress of the South Kingdom. Ne'er aforetime, and once only thereafter would the Fortress of Iron fall to mortal invaders.
Within the fortress none drew swords against them. The occupation went forward quickly, absent resistance. Indeed 'twas not even worth imprisoning the garrison, for none could raise arms against those loyal to the Lord Eldacar. The very thought of doing so brought debilitating pain. Still loath to desert, the soldiers of Gondor remained at their posts, resenting but enduring the Rangers, and this the Rangers allowed, lest opportunism should inspire the Dunlendings 'cross Isen to attempt some incursion.
Now in the evening when all was secured and Angrenost lay 'neath the control of Eldacar's Men, Helluin and Beinvír, with Lieutenant Commander Cónron, met Captain Húnsál in his chambers.
"Captain, though command of this fortress and garrison has passed from thy hands, thou art still, at least for the present, the king's acting Custodian of the Palantír of Angrenost," Helluin told him, "for only to a Dúnadan of Gondor should this duty fall. Therefore 'tis with the Lord Eldacar's blessing that I would use the Seeing Stone, for he expects tidings of me."
Though momentarily surprised, Captain Húnsál could not but agree, though during the entire tenure of his posting none had used it aforetime, so far as he knew. Therefore he gestured Helluin hence and led the way to the Chamber of the Palantír, with Beinvír and Cónron following behind.
Now when the four stood within the Chamber of the Seeing Stone, Captain Húnsál drew off the shroud and Helluin stepped forward, standing before the pedestal and bending her will upon the palantír. Within it a scene snapped into being; the interior of a campaign tent was revealed, and thither the Lord Eldacar turned to face the Palantír of Minas Anor as it flared to life. Captain Húnsál and Lieutenant Commander Cónron bowed their heads and the king acknowledged them with a nod.
Lord Eldacar, I give thee the Fortress and Garrison of Angrenost, Helluin told the king. As expected, there has been neither opposition, nor bloodshed.
I rejoice in thy victory, Helluin, and I am thankful that none have lost their lives. The army approaches the East Bight of the Greenwood. Shalt the Brown Lands be clean of Castamir's Men when we cross Anduin upon 7 Lothron?
Aye, O King, for thither art Maglor and his warriors campaigning. T'would surprise me little if half their foes art already vanquished. Thy forces shalt be untroubled in their crossing.
The king smiled at her tidings and then spoke to the others he saw.
Cónhal Beinvír, 'tis good to see thee well. Thou hast my thanks yet again for thy aid. Lieutenant Commander Cónron, I thank thee and thy Rangers for their continued service, most steadfast of allies. Captain Húnsál, I am most grateful to thee for surrendering thy charge without bloodshed, for I pray that in days to come, thy Men shalt chose to continue in their service to Gondor.
Lord Eldacar, Helluin said, if thou can contrive to be free at the noon hour upon the morrow, a strong argument towards that end I deem thou may make.
In the palantír they saw the questioning look upon the king's face, and with a nod, he bid the Noldo continue.
If thou would address the assembled garrison through the Seeing Stone, t'will be strong proof of thy claim to the throne, for all know that none but the right King of Gondor may command the palantíri.
At her explanation, a grin grew upon the face of the king and quickly graduated to laughter. With a nod he accepted her counsel. 'Twas just the gambit his lost heir had suggested so many years ago, and now the king would honor his son in the act.
At noon upon the morrow I shalt do just so, Helluin, he said. Very fortunate am I to have such wise counsel. I pray that I may win the hearts and allegiance of the garrison.
'Twas Prince Ornendil's inspiration, lord. 'Til the morrow then, Helluin replied, and with the others, bowed her head to end the contact. With a nod, the king acknowledged that the conversation had ended and the palantír went dark as Helluin and Eldacar withdrew.
At the noon hour upon 15 Gwirith the full garrison of Angrenost waited at attention in the court before the entrance to the tower. Facing them were the Ranger commander and the two Elves. Then the tower door opened and their captain walked down the stairs carrying an object hidden 'neath a dark shroud. When he stood before them upon the lowest tread his gaze swept their ranks as t'would during an inspection, and subconsciously each Man straightened. Then the captain drew off the shroud and held the palantír aloft. The collective sound of breaths drawn in surprise, and even a few quickly stifled gasps and mutterings, rose from the soldiers. When at last the silence was again complete, the captain spoke, loud enough for all to hear.
"Soldiers of Angrenost…Men of Gondor…Dúnedain…behold the Palantír of Angrenost, exclusive property of the kings since the days of Anárion and Isildur. None but the rightful King of Gondor and those blessed with his permission may use such, and none save those with sufficient strength of will may command a contact whether they have the king's grace or no. Upon this day, for the first time in many lives of Men, the king shalt address his soldiers thus, from long afar, through the Seeing Stone. I bid ye harken now to his words."
Then for a few more moments silence reigned, but even as their expectations grew, the Stone flared with light, and when it cleared, the face of the Lord Eldacar was clearly seen by those in the ranks standing closest by. These reacted in shock, speaking his name aloud so that even to the furthest Man the word was passed; the king who commanded the palantír was Eldacar, not Castamir.
Mae govannen, Edain Gondor. Suilannon lín o thar Anduin,¹ he declared in Sindarin, ere he continued in the more familiar Westron. Ye hast my thanks for discharging your duty in keeping safe the west border of our realm. In days to come, I would have ye continue in those duties, for I know ye art loyal soldiers of Gondor. Yet soon ye shalt have a choice to make, whether to cleave to the Lord Castamir of Umbar, or to receive me again upon my father's throne. ¹(Mae govannen, Edain Gondor. Suilannon lín o thar Anduin. Well met, Men of Gondor. I greet you from beyond Anduin. = Mae(well) + govannen(met) + Edain(Men) + Gondor(of Gondor, gen const) + Suilanno-(greet) + -n(I, 1st pers subj suff, I greet) + lín(you, 2nd pers pl dir obj pro) + o(from) + thar(beyond) + Anduin. Sindarin)
Years have passed since ye saw me last, aye, yet even as I see ye now, I have seen the suffering of my people…our people, for I have watched o'er ye on well 'nigh every day that has passed. And what I have seen, deeply hath it grieved me. I would see the dignity and honor of our people restored, and the peace of earlier years returned. I would see the Valar honored again with thanks, for have ye not marked the diminishing of their blessings in recent years? And I would see the realm again governed by a king concerned more for the welfare of his people than for the power he wields o'er them. In your hearts ye know of what I speak, and I trust that in your hearts ye shalt know what is right. I would that your choice be made first in your hearts, for though I know ye can'st raise no arms against me, rather I would that ye choose to raise your arms to support me, not because it cause ye less pain, but because it bring ye joy to act in a just cause. Such is the duty of every Man of Gondor, and such too is the duty of Gondor's King.
The Lord Eldacar fell silent, and save for a whisper of breeze, 'naught could be heard before the tower. Those nearest the palantír felt as much as saw the lord's gaze sweep o'er them, as oft their captain's had during an inspection, and subconsciously they straightened their posture as they would before their king.
Soldiers of Gondor, I bid ye well for a time, came the voice from the Seeing Stone, yet soon we shalt meet again, I deem, and upon that day I shalt ask your aid in rebuilding and keeping safe our beloved realm.
At once the vision ceased and the palantír went dark. The audience was done, yet for long the silence remained and none moved. Many an unexpected tiding the soldiers had heard, and now, though the habit of recent years dictated otherwise, each pondered what the Lord Eldacar had said, and some began to wonder about what they had long been told.
Now following Eldacar's address, the soldiers of Angrenost went to their noon mess and digested what they had heard and seen. The deposed, half-breed son of Valacar had demonstrated not only the right, but the will to command the Seeing Stone. Castamir had done neither. For the first time since their posting to the Iron Fortress, a royal had deigned to speak directly to them, and for the first time, they had been thanked for their service. Castamir had done neither. All knew they had been sent to the furthest western holding of the realm, to a post filled with boredom and duties done by rote, with little chance to see battle or win honor. They had been cast aside and warehoused, simply because they came not from Umbar and enjoyed not the favor of their king. More than this though, in light of the Lord Eldacar's words, 'aught else began to make sense.
No few of these soldiers had ties to the farmers, herdsmen, and fisher folk of Gondor who had marked the fall in yields, of harvests, foaling, and catches during recent years. Those with ties to the city had heard that the Captain-Admiral kept not the holy days, and performed not the ancient ceremonies brought out of Númenor, which had always been the responsibility of the Kings.
Others amongst them knew of Men accused, convicted, and punished by the courts for offenses that had not aforetime been crimes. Too, they had heard that new ships and docks were abuilding in the south, whilst roads, wayhouses, messengers, and the post suffered for lack of funds, manpower, and maintenance. And o'er all there had come to be a constant and increasing division 'twixt those of noble birth and the common class, 'twixt those with ties to Umbar and all the rest.
Now whilst Angrenost was taken in the name of the Lord Eldacar, others labored to clear the way for his return. In the Brown Lands whither the first arrows had been shot, Maglor and his warriors moved with unmatched stealth, following instructions from the Rangers on whither to find the Lord Castamir's outposts that guarded the northern border with Rhovanion. From Fangorn in the west to Anduin in the east, and as far north as the river Limlight, these most proficient of archers cleared outpost after outpost 'til finally, by 24 Gwirith, but one remained. The main garrison was manned by some five hundred soldiers of Gondor, protected by rock and earthen berms and palisades, and located midway 'twixt Anduin and Onodló upon the heights of the southernmost ridge of the Wold. Thither it o'erlooked and controlled passage down the long valley leading directly from Anduin and the South Undeep.
'Twas a strong outpost and not to be easily taken by Man or Elf, yet taken it must be ere the king led his army 'neath its heights, for even should he win past, t'would be only with loss of time and blood. Wise the Men of Gondor had been to place such a stronghold thither, for like the watch kept upon Parth Galen, it dated from the reign of Minalcar, Rómendacil II, as a defense against the Easterlings he had once defeated.
To assail it came Maglor, second son of Fëanor, a true prince of the Calaquendi, and a warrior upon the Mortal Shores for fifty-five centuries. Well known for his prowess as a singer, 'tis also to be recalled that for long he had guarded the gap 'nigh the headwaters of Gelion in East Beleriand, when the Sun and Moon were young and the foe was greater than any now threatening Middle Earth. Thither, and upon the Plain of Lothlann to the north, he had marshaled much cavalry, and few knew better the strengths of mounted warriors. So his ten dozens rode as had the Noldor of old, and shot with bows as deadly as the Green Elves of Ossiriand. In a fortnight they had cleared all the lands of the Wold save this last outpost. Yet Maglor knew well that a horse climbs not a cliff face as would an ibex or domestic goat, and so either he forgo the gains of riding, or bring all up the one narrow and well-watched path from the valley to the palisade's gate.
In the night's darkness he surveyed the stoutness of the defenses. Beside him, his lieutenant remarked, "ourselves we might shield from the eyes of Men by night, yet horses art not cats, and by sight or clop or snort they shalt be marked."
"Aye they shalt," the Prince of the Noldor agreed, "but being seen, they must be seen as friends." Then, turning away from the outpost, he said, "come, we have much work to do ere we ride that path."
Just ere noon four days later, upon 28 Gwirith, sharp-eyed sentries at the gate passed word that a mounted column numbering some ten dozens approached up the path from the valley. Shortly later they confirmed that the riders were soldiers of Gondor in the king's service…mounted scouts perhaps, since they wore not the armor of knights, and they bore bows rather than spears. As they came closer, the relative cleanliness of their uniforms was marked, telling of but a few days in the saddle from Osgiliath. At the gate their captain showed orders directing them hither and requested an audience with their commander. Once within the compound, the riders remained mounted in an ordered company and spoke to none.
The captain of the mounted company was led to the garrison captain's quarters at once, and thither he saluted his counterpart and proffered a scroll containing orders from the Lord Gwing in the City of Kings. After deeming the seals and signatures to be authentic, the garrison captain read the words and then shook his head in amazement.
"'Tis hard to believe that our company is recalled to the city," he said.
"I have been told that the threat of the east is deemed reduced," the newly arrived rider said, "for ten years have passed and King Castamir has foreseen 'naught of our enemies," and with a conspiratorial chuckle he added that, "any such shalt meet first with the half-breed and his northern kin." Then more seriously, he added, "I am sent to relieve thee. Thy departure in the morn would be prudent, for thou art expected in the city by 15 Lothron."
The garrison captain winced. 'Twas worse to hear the timetable spoken aloud than to read it. A hard march of seventeen days for his infantry would be unwelcome tidings indeed, but with a sigh he accepted this condition of his orders. A good soldier of Gondor could do no less.
"We shalt prepare this eve and march with the dawn," he said. "'Tis a boring post in any case, this cliff face, but I wish thee well."
And with that, the two captains saluted each other in parting and turned to their duties.
Two hours past dawn upon 29 Gwirith, the soldiers of the garrison of the Wold marched down the path from the gate to the valley, beginning their return to Osgiliath. If e'er they reached the city by 15 Lothron, t'would be far too late for them to stay Lord Eldacar's advance. They would be well 'nigh exhausted, for some 150 leagues and 2 lay 'twixt their stronghold and the City of Kings. If 'aught went according to plan, upon that day the returning king would be approaching the road, halfway from Anduin to Minas Anor.
"Glad shalt I be to doff this uniform," Maglor's lieutenant said to his lord.
"Aye, thou and me both," the Prince of the House of Fëanor agreed, "for despite our laundering, still I mark the scent of Men and death upon them."
For some moments both recalled the hasty retracing of their steps to their prior engagements, the stripping of the slain scouts and patrols who had died by their arrows, the cleaning and mending of those soldiers' uniforms, and last, the donning of their disguises. In previously defeated outposts they had found scrolls bearing deployment orders from Osgiliath upon which they had modeled the draft of the orders Maglor had presented to the garrison commander. 'Twas vastly distasteful indeed, yet their plan had preserved the lives of all involved and cleared the opposition of the garrison with neither an arrow shot, nor a sword drawn. Maglor grinned at his lieutenant.
"Nine days have we ere the king come'th. After all is set in order hither, pray accompany me upon a ride of two days to the west?"
The lieutenant raised a brow in question.
"I ride for Fangorn, thither to meet, if chance favor me, such wonders as have not been seen in three Ages of this world, save by a very few only," Maglor told him.
The lieutenant nodded now, understanding his quest.
"Thou seek after the Onodrim," he said. "Grateful I would be to chance 'aught that may be seen thither, even if 'tis but the trees of so great a wood."
Maglor cast a glance at Anor far above, judging the time.
"We leave after the noon meal then. I bid thee chose three most given in heart to lore and speech to accompany us."
An hour past the zenith of Anor's path 'cross the sky, five rode out of the stronghold, down the path to the valley, and turned thence to the west. 'Twas Maglor's intent to ride beside the Onodló, tracing its northern bank back to the eves of the wood. Thither they would free the horses to graze, knowing that upon their return these good creatures would come at their whistle, for such was the way of the Eldar with friendly beasts. And once within the wood, they would follow directions gifted them by Helluin and Beinvír to the spot whither the two had once met Lord Fangorn and his people…and Sauron Gorthaur, long, long ago.
To Be Continued