In An Age Before – Part 131

Chapter Eighty-nine

Last Sacrifice, Crossings of Erui – The Third Age of the Sun

Suddenly from the watchers upon the wall above came cries of alarm. Movement they saw at last, yet not from Eldacar's camp. Shadowy figures they could barely mark seemed to cover the land, and though their numbers could not be told, 'twas as if the land itself writhed so far as their eyes could see, yet more troubling still was that the nearest were already 'neath their very feet. Then a thick volley of arrows shrieked through the open gate, and a great count of the defenders massing in the courtyard fell.

Lebennin Rangers cloaked in darkness charged into the city, whilst hundreds more outside shot at the Men upon the wall. Still the darkened landscape writhed, for 'neath the cover of night and hidden by their studied stealth, some eight thousands 'neath the command of the First Guardian, Cónhal Beinvír Laiquende, had crept so close as ten fathoms from the wall…just beyond the light of the torches above them on the wall walks. And now the defense was of needs split as soldiers hastened down the stairs from the wall, desperate to reinforce their comrades and challenge the growing count of invaders, lest their defenses be o'errun. Well justified was their fear, for already Rangers within the city were shooting at the soldiers descending from the wall.

So the bailey within the gate became contested ground. The mass influx of Rangers spread to embattle Castamir's troops, whilst others charged into the gate towers to reinforce Maglor's warriors within. Bitter and bloody was the fighting with sword and bow, but taken by surprise, the soldiers were driven back step by step as more and more Rangers raced through the gate. Momentum they had, and momentum they needed, for all too soon they feared the reinforcements from the barracks would arrive to add their numbers to the defense. Ere those thousands joined the fray, the Rangers deemed 'twas necessary to drive the defenders back 'cross the bailey from the gate so that thereafter the fighting would be street to street, whither the narrow ways would limit the value of the soldiers increased numbers. Yet in fact lesser was their need of worry than they imagined, for many soldiers from those barracks had been called to the city center, and reversing their course now would take precious time.

Within the bailey the fighting raged on, but then the call of trumpets was heard from the precinct of the barracks. The remaining reinforcements were hastening thither, and every Ranger feared to hear the tramp of their marching feet. Yet moments later 'twas the horns upon the wall that sounded again, but with greater urgency than aforetime, for at last the watchers had marked those they'd sought. At last Eldacar's army was moving to attack, and in the darkness of that moonless night, they too had come much closer than expected. Indeed they had been revealed only by the glints off shield and blade from the torches upon the wall, for they had carried no torches themselves.

Soon the sentries upon the walls marked rank after shadowy rank of infantry massing upon the verges of the road that led to the city gate. Neither battle cries nor challenges did they voice, but rather held their formations in silence. And the eyes upon the wall marked that each soldier wore a short tabard emblazoned front and back with the emblem of the kings; white tree 'neath seven white stars upon a field of black. 'Twas an ominous turn indeed, for every defender knew that now the count of attackers was too great; the gate would ne'er be re-secured. Well 'nigh all they could do was muster their courage and brace themselves for the assault. Dire indeed stood the field, and yet worse was in the offing.

From the darkness beyond the light of the torches upon the wall came thunder, and the soldiers on the wall walk cried out and their horns called the alarm yet again. All marked the sound, and all knew 'aught of what it portended. In the courtyard the battle paused and the Rangers yielded, disengaging and hastening to the flanks. The defenders gave a great shout, and for a moment their hope was born anew. Perchance the gate could again be secured. Forward they charged in a wedge formation, driving against the retreating Rangers. Half the courtyard they had crossed ere all hope failed.

Down the road 'twixt his massed infantry charged the cavalry of the Northmen, the knights of Gondor, and Vinitharya Eldacar, son of Valacar, the returning king. Beside him rode his son and heir, Prince Aldamir, bearing a staff with a close furled standard. Through the open gates of Osgiliath they burst, four and one-half thousands strong, thunderous, unstoppable, and they slammed into the defenders, slaying them with spear and sword, and trampling many more to ruin 'neath the hooves of their steeds. Upon the walls, Castamir's soldiers could but look on in horror, so scant had been their forewarning, for whilst the eyes upon the wall had watched the silent ranks of soldiers, the riders had walked their horses forward 'til they stood just beyond the infantry ere they mounted and charged.

Now Eldacar's cavalry tarried not in the bailey. They paused not to slay what defenders had escaped their charge. Instead, they maintained their pace, galloping down the road and onto the causeway, riding hard for the city center. Hastening then from their formation, the infantry poured through the gate; soldiers of Gondor in all their thousands, led by Captain-General Borgil and Úlairdacil Helluin Maeg-móremenel, and behind them came the mob of Calenardhon to demand a reckoning with the Usurper. The tide surge of attackers filled the bailey and then spilled o'er into the side streets, whilst others continued on in the wake of the cavalry towards the burning Royal Precinct, and leading them went Captain Beleg, once Commander of the City Guard, and the ancient Noldo.

Soon the side streets were filled with fighting, for the reinforcements from the barracks had arrived at last, yet they were met by thrice their count of troops loyal to the Lord Eldacar. Ne'er came they 'nigh the wall, but instead were driven back with loss, down side streets towards the river, and thither they felt the rough cobbles 'neath their feet, whilst about them rose the shabby buildings of the low town from whose windows and rooves came an hail of rocks, bottles, crockery, burning refuse, and the jeering calls of the long oppressed common folk of Osgiliath. Finally they were embattled upon the quays and banks of Anduin, and thither many fell, 'til at last those remaining surrendered, or chanced to make their escape by water, and they swam like rats amidst the currents and eddies 'round the pilings 'neath the City of Kings.

Far down the causeway, Eldacar's cavalry ran headlong into companies of soldiers loyal to Castamir. These were making their way from the city center, for by then the threat portended by the fires had been deemed a ruse. Recalled by the alarms from the wall, they were now hastening back towards the gate to reinforce the defense, but instead they were run down, for they had originally been called forth from the barracks or wall expecting urban fighting, and they had not a pikeman amongst them. Trapped thither 'twixt the storefronts lining the causeway, well 'nigh all of them fell 'neath the hooves of Eldacar's warhorses, and then, leaving broken bodies in their wake, the cavalry pressed on.

Now some minutes later, when Helluin and Captain Beleg, leading one thousand infantry, came 'nigh the slaughter upon the causeway, they found a dozen ragged Men skirmishing with those few soldiers who had survived the cavalry charge, but with the coming of Eldacar's soldiers that skirmish was quickly ended. Then their leader called out to the Noldo.

"Helluin, the Lord Eldacar passed but minutes ago, and by thy leave, we would join thee to see the fall of the Usurper."

"Follow then as thou can, Boromir," Helluin replied, "for 'tis meet that sons of the city should bear witness to his end."

And so Boromir and the Men who had started the diversionary fires took up weapons from the fallen and joined the soldiers hastening toward the city center. Their lives of hunting and labor now served them well, for they kept pace with the more heavily laden infantry 'til they came to the Royal Precinct and found the plaza awash with fighting. Guards of the city loyal to the Captain-Admiral still poured from the audience hall and the Dome of Stars to oppose the invading knights, and the plaza barely contained them all. Therein lay the vulnerability of cavalry; unable to charge in a limited space, a rider could be surrounded, dismounted, and slain by more numerous footmen.

"Soldiers of Gondor," cried out Captain Beleg. "To the king!"

"Battle again at last," gloated the black sword Anguirél as Helluin drew her from her scabbard, "almost I can taste the coming anointment of blood."

"And unto the Void I shalt send the fëar of thy foes, O Helluin," the Sarchram gleefully added.

"Alas, my friend, the Doom of Men set forth by the One I shalt not hinder this day," Helluin told the ring blade as she drew instead her dagger, "for foes though they be, still they art kin."

"So be it then, but I long for the battles of old," the Sarchram muttered.

But Helluin was already charging with the infantry, hastening to reinforce the knights and keep Castamir's soldiers at bay. To the king's stirrup she cut her way, felling any who stood in her path in such a display of cold prowess that foes yielded before her and allies followed in her wake.

"My lord, plenty art there hither to contest with those loyal to the Usurper," Helluin called out to Eldacar, "and I deem the city already fallen if numbers will tell. Yet 'tis Castamir thou must find, for to vanquish him and reclaim thy throne."

"Aye, Helluin, yet I mark him not," the king called back o'er the din of battle. "Whither doth he skulk, thinks thou?"

"Upon the throne of thy father, I wager, yonder, in the Dome of Stars."

"Then 'tis to the Dome of Stars I shalt go."

"And I with thee, lest some hither honor not the forms of duelists."

Then, handing his reins to the knight beside him, the Lord Eldacar dismounted, and followed Helluin towards the Dome of Stars. With them went a handful of witnesses and the prince, but now he carried the standard of the House of Anárion openly and the battle parted before them, for whether loyal to Eldacar or to Castamir, no Dúnadan of that time would assail the heraldry of the royal house of the South Kingdom.

Even when the king came to the Dome of Stars, the door wards bowed their heads and stood aside, so great was the reverence of the Dúnedain in those days for the heraldry of Anárion, White Tree 'neath Seven Stars, the ancient symbol of the lineage that both Castamir and Eldacar claimed as their right to rule. If anything, this deference was stronger amongst those who had supported a rebellion based upon lineage and blood.

Helluin thrust open the doors and the king's party entered. Strange it seemed that their way to the throne room was lined with soldiers of Gondor, Men loyal to the Captain-Admiral, yet not a one did 'aught to stay them; not a one drew a weapon, and not a one voiced a challenge. Rather they stood at attention, still as statues graven of stone, indeed barely breathing, for they faced, not an attack force or a charge of warriors, but instead a solemn procession led by the legendary Elvish warrior, a foremother of kings who had once faced Sauron's Nine. The black sword of Gondolin rested upon her shoulder and she wore armor so antique as to appear a living vision of the Elder Days. Behind her came the Lord Eldacar, deposed aforetime, yet with the dignity of the kings of old, whilst beside him paced the prince bearing the standard of the Royal House. Following them came three Men to bear witness; Anræd of the North, Captain Beleg of the City Guard, and Boromir the Hunter. And the watching Dúnedain knew these came, not as invaders, but as a party wronged, to demand a settlement in which they had no place.

The bustle of a kingdom besieged died to silence when they entered the throne room. Counselors and captains ceased in their concerns and stared.

Then, because she led the procession, Helluin spoke as would a herald on behalf of her lord.

"Lord Captain-Admiral, captains, counselors, and courtiers of Osgiliath, the city is fallen and the rule of the House of Valacar is restored. Lord Castamir, thou may either surrender and submit thyself to the king's justice, or thou may stand for thy honor and face the Lord Eldacar in a duel, in satisfaction of thy trespasses against his lordship and the realm."

But though many had taken counsel thither and made plans for the defense, the throne sat empty. 'Naught was to be seen of the Usurper, his sons, or his most trusted advisors. Silence followed, as though none deemed it their place to respond.

All those in King Eldacar's party sought for the Captain-Admiral, but Castamir was gone. A smoldering rage took hold in the Noldo.

"Whither has thy lord gone?" She demanded of the gathering. Her query was met with continued silence.

She searched the faces of the officers and counselors one by one, finally settling on a captain at random and bending her thought upon him. The Man squirmed 'neath her gaze, but could not look away, captured as he was by her eyes and held against his will.

"Answer, I command thee! Whither has the Lord Castamir gone?"

Still no word passed his lips, only a soft whimper. Every other eye in the room was fixed upon him, willing him to resist.

"Thou shalt answer me forthwith or thy mind shalt be o'erthrown," she told him, "for such horrors shalt I show thee that thou shalt be unmanned henceforth, indeed as a babe, controlling not thy own body and knowing none, not even thyself."

Before the shocked gathering, the captain fell to his knees, shaking, tears trickling from his eyes, his mouth agape in a silent scream, yet still he could not look away.

Looking 'round the room at them, Eldacar asked, "wilt none speak? How can ye let this go on?"

The onlookers remained silent, petrified in horror, yet finally the captain gave an anguished cry and shouted, "he is gone! Fled to Pelargir as the gate fell!"

A moment later he covered his face with his hands and breathed in heaving sobs of relief as Helluin released him.

Turning to Eldacar, Helluin said, "my lord, the city is thine, yet thy foe has fled."

Then, taking not even the time to sit upon his reclaimed throne, the king turned on his heel and strode from the room with his party following in his wake.

"The officers art to secure the city and hold all prisoners," he replied. "Now we ride to Pelargir with all haste."

All haste became a tale of twelve hours, during which time the Lord Eldacar felt renewed frustration as his enemy rode e'er further with each passing moment. After ten long years in exile he had recovered the heart of his kingdom, but so long as Castamir was free, a challenge to his reign would live as well. Likewise, he was forced to forgo the liberation of Minas Ithil, depending upon the volunteers of Ithilien to blockade any loyalists from besieging Osgiliath. During those twelve hours, Captain-General Borgil and Captain Beleg took charge of the ordering of the city, securing their occupation, and detaining the prisoners. Celegúr of Lossarnach was named king's regent, for Prince Aldamir would ride with his father. Anræd and Hæleþ marshaled the hors earm of the Northmen, whilst all the king's knights prepared to ride. Maglor and his warriors also made ready to join them. Perhaps the only ones thankful for the delay were the two ellith, for with their separate duties done, they would accompany the king together.

At the morning meal an hour past dawn, Helluin reassured the king that his pursuit was not in vain, for she had espied the Lord Castamir's fleeing party and much else besides, in the Palantír of Minas Ithil. 'Twas now 30 Lothron, (May 30th), T.A. 1447.

"Fear not, O king. Castamir shalt not reach his haven in Pelargir uncontested, for though t'would seem that he hath sent word to the garrison thither and they shalt march within the hour to support him, an army denies him passage."

At this news, the king's spirits rose and he begged details.

"Ere the Usurper makes good his crossing of Erui, he must win past a force of sixteen thousand Rangers and six thousand soldiers of Gondor who fled to Lebennin after the fall of Osgiliath. The Lord Barahíl commands them, for whither the road crosses Erui, it crosses also the border into his realm; indeed of old all the lands west of Anduin and south of Mindolluin, were the territory of Lebennin. According to the plan, Barahíl has waylaid the road and awaits thy forces ere marching to invest Pelargir, yet Pelargir marches instead to him. Being no longer king, Castamir is now a fugitive, and any loyal to him art deemed hostile to the crown. His reinforcements shalt be reckoned an invasion force. Barahíl shalt defend Lebennin to the last."

"How stands the field thither, Helluin?" King Eldacar asked.

"The army has waylaid the road and patrols the lands for o'er a league east and west. Just beyond them Castamir, with his sons and counselors numbering 'nigh fifty skulk in the woods north and east of the road, awaiting reinforcements from Pelargir to embattle the Rangers so they may slip past their blockade."

"And can we reach Erui ere the reinforcements from Pelargir?"

"Aye, we can indeed, with 'nigh a day to spare, I reckon, for they have the longer road."

And with that the king stood from his board and ordered all to make ready to ride with the greatest haste, so that but one-half hour later, four and one-half thousand cavalry issued from the gate of the City of Kings and made for the Pelennor Wall at a gallop.

Now king's party passed the south gate in the wall some two hours ere noon, and thither they rested the horses, having come 'nigh on twenty miles from the city gate. By then another three hundred riders from Minas Anor had joined them. Ahead the road ran some thirteen leagues ere they came to the Crossing of Erui. This they expected to reach early upon the morrow, for though they could have come thither in the evening, 'twas deemed wiser to spend that night hunting the Usurper's party north of the ford. Castamir's soldiers would be forced to spend that same night encamped to the south upon the road, for their way from Pelargir ran double that of the king's.

'Twas 'nigh nightfall ere the Lord Eldacar called a halt and ordered a camp set one league north of the Crossing of Erui, thereby entrapping Castamir's party 'twixt two hostile forces. One hundred cavalry he sent south to make contact with the Rangers. With them went the First Guardians, and warmly they were greeted by the Men of Lebennin. This came to pass when the king's cavalry was met by a Ranger patrol a mile north of Erui. After an exchange of greetings, the Rangers bid them ride on, for the Lord Barahíl would be eager to hear their tidings.

Upon reaching the Ranger army, the riders were received with rejoicing. Whilst the horses were tended, the king's knights joined the Rangers at the evening mess, and very welcome was their repast. Thither too they were met by soldiers of Gondor exiled for ten years in Lebennin, and some rejoiced to see again comrades thought long dead. Many tales they told of the liberation of Anórien and Osgiliath. Meanwhile, Helluin and Beinvír, together with the king's officers, met with the Lord Barahíl.

"Knights of Gondor, thou art most welcome amongst us, and great joy do I feel to see ye again, First Guardians."

"Mae govannen, Lord Barahíl," Helluin said. "'Tis good to find thee well, dear friend. Great thanks the king sends for thy steadfast support."

"All things go according to the plan save one," the Green Elf added.

"What goes awry, Cónhal Beinvír, and what is the king's will?" The Lord of Lebennin asked.

"All of Gondor to the north save Minas Ithil is returned to the king's rule. Osgiliath has fallen and the throne is restored," she said, "yet the Lord Castamir has escaped."

"Aye, fled he did, and lurks now like a cur 'twixt Anduin and the road, amidst the wood to thy north," Helluin told him with obvious disgust. "Thither he awaits the strength of Pelargir in hope of making his escape to Umbar. Craven is the Usurper in defeat."

The Lord Barahíl nodded in understanding, but his eyes hardened.

"Would that he comes amongst us. Harsh shalt be his welcome to Lebennin."

"'Tis King Eldacar's wish that thou deny Castamir's party any passage south. In the morn he shalt be rooted out and taken," Beinvír told him, "and thereafter he shalt be given a choice; either to surrender without conditions, or to face the king in a duel for his honor."

"The king's will shalt be done and word of his orders shalt be passed," Barahíl told them with a dip of his head, ere adding with the hint of a grin, "or at worst Castamir shalt float to Pelargir with an arrow in his chest should he be discovered by a patrol and offer resistance."

To Be Continued