In An Age Before – Part 129
At the fortress of Angrenost, Helluin and Beinvír had tarried but long enough to hear the first mutterings and grumblings amongst the soldiers of Gondor regarding the words of the Lord Eldacar that they had heard through the palantír. Once sure that the seeds of doubt had been deeply sewn, they took their leave, along with Lieutenant Commander Cónron, and rode east. This they did with little of their earlier haste, for as they went, they gathered the strength of the Ranger army behind them. The fortress they had left occupied by Rangers 'neath the command of Lieutenant Sírondren, and Sergeant Aduial.
Now the Ranger army rode openly through western Calenardhon, and they waylaid the king's messengers, took prisoner his scouts, and o'erran such outposts and settlements as they found, suppressing or driving hence any who would oppose the return of the king. Wide was that land 'twixt the Ered Nimrais in the south and the River Onodló in the north, and so it took some time to occupy.
'Twas upon 7 Lothron, the very day when the Lord Eldacar led his army 'cross the South Undeeps, that they saw again the outthrust hill whither they had met Lieutenant Sírondren and Sergeant Aduial aforetime. The Rangers then numbered 'nigh twenty-four hundreds, and they held all of western Calenardhon, with their strongest companies commanding the road in the south, and that crossing of Onodló called the Entwade in the north. Behind them came a valor of the folk of Calenardhon, angry common Men bearing a long simmering resentment for their treatment by Castamir the Usurper and his noble henchmen from Umbar. These irregulars took up the arms of the defeated soldiers of Gondor and followed the Ranger army, eager to support the rule of Eldacar, son of Valacar, their king.
Eastward the battlefront had moved. Day by day down the road had come the growing Ranger army, with the angry mob behind, and tidings of their uprising spreading ahead. Indeed some of the King's Messengers had attempted flight for to warn Osgiliath of the growing jeopardy in the west, but these were soon waylaid and taken prisoner by watchful companies of Rangers 'twixt Halifirien and Nardol.
Now though the Ranger army had taken all of western Calenardhon, the lands 'nigh the Snowborne grew increasingly populous, and so their advance slowed as an e'er increasing count of outposts and estates 'twixt the road and Onodló needed to be taken. Opposing them too was a quickly growing count of soldiers of Gondor loyal to Castamir, and such armed retainers as the estates of the landed gentry could send forth to the field. So 'twas during the first week of Lothron that a true front of battle evolved, and it moved e'er more slowly to the east.
This Helluin and Beinvír allowed, though it irked the Rangers, for the Lord Eldacar needed time to bring his army from Anduin, out of the Brown Lands, to cross Onodló at the Entwade, and come upon the battle lines from behind. Thus when the front reached the stream leading east, whither Maglor had taken his leave of them aforetime, they halted their advance and feigned a stalemate, and allowed the loyalists to believe that they had forced the battle to a standstill. The fighting then centered in the south of that land about the road, and well 'nigh all those loyal to King Castamir had mustered thither. 'Twas 9 Lothron, (May 9th), and thither they held for seven days.
Upon 7 Lothron the Lord Eldacar's army crossed Anduin at the South Undeeps and marched down the long valley 'twixt the Wold and the Downs. A full 43 leagues that valley ran from Anduin to Onodló, and another 30 downstream to the crossing that was held now by the Rangers. Finally, another 50 miles lay 'twixt the crossing of Onodló and the road about which the battle raged…in all, some 90 leagues.
'Nigh sunset upon 9 Lothron, the returning king passed the outpost held by Maglor and his warriors, and following a thankful meeting, these joined the van of his army. In the king's riding were his heir, Prince Aldamir, his grandson Prince Vinyarion, Captain-General Borgil, Captain Beleg, Celegúr of Lossarnach, Thavron of Emyn Arnen, Anræd and Hæleþ commanding the hors earm of the Northmen, such knights of Gondor as had escaped the fall of Osgiliath ten years aforetime, and as many footsoldiers of Gondor as could be horsed during their years in the north; in all, four and one-half thousand cavalry. Behind them came another six thousands of infantry, and some one and one-half thousand support personnel, bringing the full count of the king's army to twelve thousands.
"My Lord Eldacar, these lands art free of the soldiers of Castamir," Maglor told the son of Valacar as they rode from the stronghold. "Scouts I have posted at the mouth of the valley and upon the east bank of Onodló. The way stands clear to the ford, and that is now held by Rangers loyal to thy cause. The army may cross in safety, and following the western bank, come thence upon the battle from behind as was thy plan."
"Great thanks do I owe thee and thy warriors, Lord Maglor," the king said, dipping his head in respect to the ancient Noldo, "and Gondor shalt not forget."
Now the march of the king's army continued, and upon the morn of 12 Lothron they reached the River Onodló and turned south, downstream, seeking for the ford. Two days later the Lord Eldacar led his Men 'cross the Entwade, and great was the rejoicing of the Rangers who met him thither, for now after ten long years, the Right King of Gondor had returned to Calenardhon at last and the heart of his realm lay close ahead. Yet first came the fifty miles to the road whereat the battle raged.
In the evening of 15 Lothron, the Lord Eldacar again spoke with Helluin, for word of the King's crossing of Onodló had come to her from the Rangers. In his tent some twenty miles south of the ford, the Palantír of Minas Anor flared to life, and within it, the Lord Eldacar saw the face of the dark Noldo as she called to the stone and forced the contact.
Lord Eldacar, word has reached me that thou art a day's march from battle, she said.
Aye, so it seems to me, for we have still some ten leagues ahead ere we can engage the enemy, the king replied, yet I would not bring Men and horses to battle after a full day's march. 'Tis better that we should come 'nigh upon the morrow, and after a night's rest, join the battle in earnest upon the 17th.
I agree, for a long march the army has already had, Helluin agreed.
How stands the battle, my friend?
We have held the enemy in stalemate for the past seven days, she told him, and indeed we have stayed our advance for that time, merely keeping them engaged whilst awaiting thy arrival. I deem their count somewhat o'er two thousands, soldiers of Gondor and loyalists of the landed nobles hereabouts. We have now three and one-half thousand Rangers and 'nigh another thousand of armed irregulars. 'Twixt we and thee, the foe shalt be crushed.
For some moments a grim silence ruled the king after hearing her tidings, yet finally he sighed and said, a pity t'will be to slay them, for they art still Men of Gondor…my people.
Helluin nodded, understanding him. She recalled his relief to hear that Angrenost had fallen without bloodshed, and the hopes he'd spoken to the garrison for their continued service 'neath his rule.
My lord, thou may offer parlay ere engaging the foe, she said. When facing such an o'erwhelming force, they may reconsider their loyalties and quit the battle.
The soldiers perhaps, he said, but for the loyalists I have lesser hope. Still, we shalt see upon the 17th what the day shalt bring.
Beyond this battle lies the securing of the Pelennor, O king, the dark Noldo said. A company of one hundred has been picked to ride for Minas Anor as soon as the outposts upon the road have fallen. That company shalt ride in haste, but pass into the Pelennor with stealth. As agreed, amongst them art soldiers of Gondor, Rangers, and citizens of the realm known to those within the city. With them shalt go Beinvír and myself.
To this the king nodded. T'would be folly to oppose Osgiliath with a hostile city at his back. Ere his army breached the Pelennor, the Tower of the Rising Sun would be subverted and its threat neutralized.
Hast thou any further tidings? Eldacar asked.
Nay, I have not, Helluin said. Her curiosity about Maglor's adventures in Fangorn had no place in their conversation.
Then I bid thee well with much thanks. I shalt see thee upon the morn of the day after the morrow, Eldacar said, and with that his palantír went dark as he broke the connection.
His control o'er the Stone seems much improved, Beinvír said silently to Helluin after catching her eye. Indeed, I believe thou hast been dismissed. A slight grin shaped her lips.
T'would seem so indeed, Helluin admitted with a grin of her own. As a good sign I shalt take it that the king becomes e'er more kingly.
Now the battle upon the road continued as aforetime throughout the 16th, whilst to the north the king's army made their final day's march. Indeed by evening they had come within three miles of the road, though somewhat east of the fighting. Thither they set a cold camp whereat Men spoke in hushed tones, but with Maglor's mounted warriors patrolling 'twixt the battle and the army, no word of them came e'er to the loyalists or the soldiers of Gondor upon the road.
'Twas three hours past dawn upon 17 Lothron, with the Rangers and the soldiers of Castamir again engaged upon the field, that the Lord Eldacar's army marched down from the north upon the loyalists right flank, and made such a show of force that the battle well 'nigh ceased. The banner of the Royal House of Anárion was unfurled, and Eldacar son of Valacar, Anárion's Heir, called upon the Men of Gondor to lay down their arms.
"Maethyr Gondor, gwainur nín, lasto naim!¹" He called out to them, and so great was his voice in that hour that those upon both sides who still fought indeed turned from their foes and harkened to him. "Long have I watched ye through the Stones of Númenórë², and very great has been my heartbreak for the plight of our people. I have seen the suffering with which the strife of war has saddled Gondor, wherein brother sides against brother and neighbor sides against neighbor, more heated in blood than when our people faced the threats of east and south in the time of our fathers. I have seen the oppression of our people 'neath laws newly writ, and those tried in false courts by judges appointed for their loyalty to the crown rather than their jurisprudence. Indeed I have seen some executed simply for words of dissent that were a Man's right in Gondor aforetime." ¹(Maethyr Gondor, gwainur nín, lasto naim! Soldiers of Gondor, my brothers, hear me! = Maethyr(soldiers, maethor w/ int vowel change o to y to form pl) + Gondor(following Maethyr forms genitive const Soldiers of Gondor) + gwainur(brothers, gwanur w/ int vowel change a to ai to form pl) + nín(1st pers poss pro, my) + lasto(listen, w/ imp suff –o) + naim(to, na + 1st pers dir obj prep pro suff -im, me) Sindarin) ²(the Palantíri)
For some moments silence reigned as the king looked o'er the soldiers and they looked back at him. Many marked how tall and lordly he was, clad in his shining armor and seated astride his great white horse from the north. They were Dúnedain and could not but help to feel a hint of shame, standing thus in opposition to one who by birthright could display the ancient heraldry of Anárion that fluttered in the morning breeze on the banner beside him, seven stars o'er one white tree. They could see the resemblance to his father, King Valacar, that ruled his features in spite of the northern blood of his mother. And they marked the great strength allied with him upon the field; so many knights of Gondor, and ranks upon ranks of soldiers in uniforms identical to their own. Beyond them stood the horsemen of the north, deadly cavalry, yet loyal allies for generations, so unlike some of the new retainers the Lord Admiral had brought out of Umbar who had the look of Harad about them.
Staunch and loyal allies too were the Rangers of Lebennin against whom they had been fighting for the past fortnight. Lebennin and its Rangers had been friends and allies since 'nigh the founding of their kingdom, and beside the Rangers fought the very folk they were sworn as soldiers of Gondor to defend…citizens of the realm, the people of Calenardhon. 'Cross the battle line from the soldiers, the armed citizens pressed to the fore, the better to hear their king.
"Aforetime have many opposed me for the northern blood of my mother, yet I am the son of my father; the only child of the direct line back to Calmacil, and he the younger brother of King Narmacil I who died childless. My father, King Valacar died not childless, but with an heir, and by the law of the Men of the West back to the days of Tar-Ancalimë of Númenor, 'tis the eldest child of the last king or queen, and no other, who is the right Lord of the Dúnedain.
That the Captain-Admiral Castamir has usurped the throne of Osgiliath by force of arms earns him not the right to rule, only a victor's spoil of occupation. All who know 'aught of history or law must acknowledge thus, that his rule has no legitimacy.
Furthermore, his claim to act for the preservation of our heritage in blood is a sham, for he favors blood o'er the history that defines us as a people…a people true to the law. The Dúnedain of Gondor come of the houses of the Faithful, whether from Pelargir of old, or from Andúnië in exile. All the Faithful clove to the Law of the Valar. We were ne'er descendants of the King's Men of Númenor, pure though their blood may be. I deem that the more highly would Castamir value the pure blood of the Black Númenóreans of Umbar who allied with Sauron against the High King Elendil so long ago, for like them, he defies the law, favoring his own desire, though it cause his homeland to founder."
Deathly quiet now lay the battlefield, and the king's words echoed in the hearts of every Man. Proud were they to be Dúnedain, yet not oft enough perhaps had they pondered why. A special place their ancestors had attained within Arda, and having fallen from that grace, whyfor had some few been spared? Purest of blood, their most powerful king and his Men had broken the law, and for that, they and their land had been whelmed 'neath the waves.
As if he read their thoughts, the king continued.
"Lesser Men of a lesser time than Ar-Pharazôn and Amandil we may be, and yet 'tis incumbent upon us still, each and every one, to honor the Valar, our history, and the laws of Gondor. 'Tis the duty of the king, not to rule Men alone, but to represent them before the gods. Thrice yearly¹, with proper solemnity and hallowed words, does the king offer prayers to Eru, for sustenance through the coming year, praise for his gifts, and thanks for his blessings of plenty. Indeed these art his first duties, for save by the grace of the One, none live and no realm stands. ¹(Erukyermë, Prayer to Eru in spring, Erulaitalë, Praise to Eru at midsummer, and Eruhantalë, Thanksgiving to Eru in autumn)
From afar have I watched the dereliction of the Usurper. 'Tis known in Minas Anor as well, that upon the Holy Days no procession comes from Osgiliath to the Hallow upon Mindolluin. No ceremonial words in Quenya art spoken on behalf of the people of the realm. I deem the Lord Admiral heedless of his duty to the gods, just as he is heedless of the welfare of his people and the requirements of the law."
In silence the king again surveyed the Men upon the field, and now even the retainers of the noble houses felt discomfort. They knew Eldacar spoke true in this, for 'twas no secret that Castamir had not performed the ancient ceremonies at the appointed times.
At last the king spoke his final words to them.
"Edain Gondor¹, I have come to reclaim the throne of my father. I would that ye aid me now and aid our realm in its rebuilding after, for many ills there art to be assuaged. I know that being soldiers each of ye has done his duty by following orders given to ye through a chain of command. Yet now ye have a choice to make and the time for decision is at hand. He who sits upon the throne in Osgiliath hath no right to the kingship. He honors not the Valar. He values not our loyal allies and friends of the realm. He oppresses the people. The depth of his cruelty is well known. Such a Man should not be king o'er the sons of the Faithful of Númenor. Wilt ye support me, the sole heir of Valacar and the right heir of Anárion? Wilt ye aid me in returning our land to its ancient laws, making it faithful again to its history and purpose? If ye would choose thus, then sheath your weapons and leave the battle. Form up in ranks upon your left flank and then join me in the march to Osgiliath!" ¹(Edain Gondor, Men of Gondor = Edain(Men) + Gondor(following Edain forms the genitive const Men of Gondor) Sindarin)
In the following moments, silence deep as a mine ruled the field and none yet moved. Then, slowly at first, soldiers of Gondor sheathed their swords and moved to their left. The first scant ranks were joined by a hastening tide of Men whose hearts told them to whom their allegiance was due. For ten minutes the ranks swelled, and when the last had made his choice, o'er nine out of ten soldiers had joined Eldacar's army. Those soldiers that remained, and well 'nigh all the retainers of the noble's houses, found themselves standing 'twixt Eldacar's army and his new recruits, with the Rangers before them and the Northmen's cavalry ready to cut short any retreat down the road behind them. These five hundreds gripped tighter their swords and formed a circle.
Finally 'twas the armed citizens who moved first against those loyal to Castamir. Living longest 'neath the yoke of his oppression, they held the bitterest anger and the deepest need for redress against the Usurper. These surged forward cross the battle line, leaving the Rangers behind as they charged into the circle of loyalists. A pitched and frenzied battle ensued, but the outcome was ne'er in doubt. Bolstered by their great advantage in numbers, the irregulars cut down the better armed and better trained soldiers and retainers who stood against them, though not without loss. And when those losses were marked, the Rangers added their numbers, reinforcing the irregulars and completing the slaughter.
In the aftermath of the battle the citizens looked at their fallen foes as if they could scarce believe that they had finally put an end to the rule of Castamir in Calenardhon. Though to the east some outposts loyal to Osgiliath yet remained, these were embattled by companies of Rangers upon that same day, for so the plan required. By nightfall upon 18 Lothron, the loyalist outposts 'nigh Calenhad, Minrimmon, Erelas, Nardol, Eilenach, and Amon Dîn had fallen and the chosen hundred rode for the Tower of the Sun. Thereafter, with foes neither before, nor behind, the Lord Eldacar's forces, strengthened by some 1,500 infantry, rode east upon the road uncontested. O'er the next two hundred miles the army grew by some four thousands, these being another three thousand Rangers who had arrived from Linhir in the early spring, and another thousand angry citizens, thereby reaching a total strength of some twenty-four thousands. Indeed resistance was not met 'til the king's army passed Amon Dîn upon 25 Lothron, so well had the Rangers suppressed all loyalist activity.
Thither upon the road 'nigh Amon Dîn waited a sortie from Osgiliath, five hundred mounted knights and a thousand footmen. These challenged the king's army to surrender, or abandon fore'er any claim to the throne and return to the north. To this, Eldacar made no answer, but instead simply continued his advance, closing the gap 'twixt the forces with intent to offer battle. Yet even as the vanguard of the king's army approached, opposing knights fell from horseback and foot soldiers crumpled upon the left flank of their formation; loyalists died ere the army reached them, some stricken by arrows and others by blowpipe darts. These came from the wood south of Amon Dîn in a hail both constant and deadly, yet their source was unseen, stealthier than any Ranger.
And now the loyalists turned half to face the unseen attackers and half to engage the king, but the cavalry of the north rode o'er them in a vicious charge that broke their ranks and sent them south in a rout towards the Pelennor.
In the aftermath there came hence from the wood some four hundred ragged Rangers, and half a hundred figures squat and hairy, clad only in loincloths, and bearing blowpipes. This company approached the king and bowed before him, and from amongst the Rangers in the king's riding came many shouts of joy, for at their head was their Commander, presumed lost when Osgiliath fell a decade past. The king greeted his old friend with joyous thanksgiving.
"Pengthír, may the Valar be praised for this blessing so unexpected, to find thee alive after so many years," Eldacar said. "Long had I deemed thee gone from Arda for thou came ne'er to the north. Now I rejoice to discover myself mistaken."
"My lord, I have been content to remain missing these past ten years, for only thus have I kept safe my Men, and only with the aid of our allies hath it been achieved," the Ranger Commander replied. "But for their succor we would have been taken or slain long ago. Of them have we learnt much, and the years have brought great profit in lessons, both of survival and of stealth."
Then, to the wonder of all, King Eldacar dismounted, and he bowed to the headman of the Drúedain saying, "my thanks thou hast for the safekeeping of my friends and for thy aid in battle. When I sit again upon the throne in the City of Kings, I shalt grant thee favor."
And the headman of the Drúedain, Zûn son of Ghûg was his name, said of the Rangers, "friends...show, hunt…you king of stone cities, keep folk from wood." A hairy arm he swept to the northwest whither lay the forest 'twixt the northern slopes of the Ered Nimrais and the outlying hills of Eilenach and Amon Dîn.
Eldacar paused, as if to give thought to a matter critical to the realm, and finally replied, "if by thy leave we may keep watches upon the hills of Eilenach and Amon Dîn, then none but the few soldiers posted thither shalt pass into the trees 'nigh the road."
After a pause of his own, Zûn nodded 'yea', then spat in his hand and offered it to the king to seal the bargain. Without pause, Eldacar took his hand in a firm grip, gave it a shake, and said, "t'will be so."
So 'twas that when he sat again upon the Throne of Gondor, Eldacar son of Valacar honored his word, and 'til the days of Eärnur, the Men of Gondor kept their bond with the Drúedain and set no foot in their forest. Yet in the years after the failing of the southern kings, the stewards caused to be built a cobbled wain track through the forest, for by those days, many lifetimes had passed since last any Drúadan had been seen, and their very existence had fallen into rumor and myth.
To Be Continued