In An Age Before

by Phantom Bard

Part 298 posted, in which Helluin and the Riders of Norðr-vestandóttir Bý aid the Third Marshal Haleth in Rohan's defeat of the Easterling invaders. Brutal weather, disease, and failing morale play a part. Aldburg is no sooner freed of the eastern threat when tidings come of the Dunlending's invasion from the west. OCs galore as usual.

140. In An Age Before Chapter 140

In An Age Before - Part 140

"Mae govannen, mildir nín, non merenwain tiriad lín!¹" Helluin said to greet the Green Elves, adding, "and many thanks for keeping safe the Rangers." ¹(Mae govannen, mildir nín, non merenwain tiriad lín! Well met, my friends, I am overjoyed to see you! = mae(well) + govannen(met) + meldir(male friend) w/internal vowel change –e to –i denoting plural (mildir, male friends) + nín(1st pers poss pron, my) + no-(be) + -n(1st pers subj suff, I am) + meren(joyous) + -wain(superlative adj suff, most joyous, overjoyed) + tirio-(look at) + -ad(inf suff, to see) +lín(2nd pers pl dir obj pro, you) Sindarin)

Then she turned to the unexpected company of warriors, and to Celegon's surprise, she bowed low to them, ere saying, "long it hath been since the noble sons of Durin came with aid to the folk of Eriador. We art honored by your presence, most hardy allies of old."

At her words, the company came to attention, bowing as one in return, and a Dwarf stepped forward from the head of the company and said, "I am Belain, son of Grûlin, Acting Captain of this expeditionary force from the Fourth Black Company of Khazad-dûm. 'Tis an unexpected joy to find thee hither, Mórgolodh, and we rejoice to have again so fell and noble an ally amongst us. Long it hath been indeed since thou last came to our mansions, yet we know thee and honor thee from Age to Age."

"Captain Belain, has thy company come to destroy the den of Yrch in yonder valley?" Helluin asked.

"Aye, that is our mission this coming night, and not the first such in recent years," he said with a grin of anticipation. "Our allies art the most skilled in scouting and shooting any trying to flee us," he said, nodding to the Laiquendi, "and so together we continue the war."

Celegon had rejoined the other Rangers, but Helluin spoke longer with the Naugrim and the Laiquendi, and 'twas with regret.

"Only this day have my beloved and I learnt that the war continued after the flight of Tindomul, and we art chagrined for not realizing it sooner. Many years we have failed to offer our aid to your cause, my friends."

"In thy gambit which defeated the Witch King at Fornost, thou accomplished more than all of us have since," the Green Elf said, dipping his head in respect. "Cardolan too was freed through thy efforts, and we could ask 'naught of thee after. Yet now I would ask, whither is Beinvír, for e'er we see thee and she together."

"She sought the second entrance of the Yrch warren, hoping to warn thy folk ere they attacked."

"Ahhh, all is well then," he said, "for she shalt have met the others of our company thither."

His tidings were very welcome to the Noldo and she breathed a sigh of relief.

"How then can we aid thy designs?" Helluin asked.

"We deem that we already field a sufficient force, yet if thy beloved were to command the Rangers and thou were to join our allies, we would consider ourselves blessed, for then our force would be o'erwhelming," he told her.

"And what of the Hillmen," she asked.

"O'erheard by our scouts is their whispered distaste for these comrades thrust upon them by their alliance with Angmar," the Green Elf said. "No love have they for those who raided and harried their folk through all the past Age. And now they have a grievance of their own to redress," he continued, winking at Helluin, "and their own vengeance to seek. No aid shalt they offer to the Yrch, if they even mark our assault upon them, for they go not to that den, nor shalt they hear 'aught of our troops without."

So 'twas decided that 'neath the cover of night, Helluin, Beinvír, and the Rangers would join in the invasion of the valley, to set about the den of their foes a deadly cordon, and to exterminate those within. Helluin came to the Ranger captains Dorondon and Cánégin, and to Belain of Khazad-dûm with tidings of their change in plans. This news the Men of Rhudaur received with glad anticipation, for much worse could they have done in their first encounter with the Yrch. A bit more grimly did the Rangers of Cardolan accept the plan, having had past experience with that kindred, yet for them too, 'twas a less hazardous mission than many they had undertaken aforetime. But truly joyful were the Naugrim, for they deemed this turn no less than a gift from Mahal; to march into battle against hereditary enemies in the company of legendary allies, the vaunted Ghosts of Mitheithel, and to slay 'neath earth and stone with the fell Black Exile of the Eldar, who had learnt her smithcraft from their very creator. Glorious tales of victory they would tell upon their return to Khazad-dûm, and great honor they would win amongst their people.

Now as Anor dropped behind the next ridge to the south and the valley fell into shadow, the company set out, and though the Laiquendi could move unseen and the Rangers could avoid detection, three score Dwarvish warriors could not. Indeed they shared with Helluin a great joy in causing dismay amongst their foes in open battle, and preferred to face down enemies in massed ranks, but in deference to their allies they marched not in step, trod not on twigs, nor did 'aught to announce their presence so far as they were able. 'Twas the quietest company of Naugrim the Noldo had e'er seen that followed the others down the steep slope and into the valley. On their way downhill, Belain pulled up some tufts of stiff, dried grass, which he thrust into his belt.

Sometime ere they reached the creek, the Green Elves disappeared and the Rangers moved with stealth, peeling off to the east. Helluin and Belain choose a place to cross that was directly opposite the dark maw of the Yrch den, and thither they waited for the second hour past nightfall. By then the Rangers and the Laiquendi would be positioned to slay any foes fleeing from either entrance. Whilst they waited, the Dwarves prepared torches to light their way underground; one for each squad of six warriors. Downstream in the village, the bonfire still burned, and 'twas surrounded by an angry throng of Hillmen whose voices carried upstream. Just as the Laiquendi had said, they gave no appearance of marching or even of keeping watch, for by long habit they deemed that their unwelcome allies protected their upstream flank.

When the second hour of darkness came, the Noldo's sharp eyes marked a single Green Elf 'cross the water break cover and give them a beckoning gesture, signifying that the ambush was set and all were ready. Helluin and the Naugrim forded the creek en mass and gathered their company at the entrance of the Yrch lair. From within came no sounds, only the stench of old smoke, rancid grease, and the accumulated filth of their occupation. After a short but watchful wait they moved within, and when all were safely inside and the entrance mostly blocked by their bodies, Belain kindled a small, short-lived fire, fed with the tufts of grass he'd brought from the slope, and thither their torches were lit. Then the Naugrim ordered their companies, and with Helluin and Belain in the lead, advanced swiftly down the tunnel, ready for battle.

Now following their short talk 'nigh the boulder, Gwilolrán, Beinvír, and Lainiel returned downslope. Thither they waited, well hidden amidst Gwilolrán's company, though the other two knew not how many they numbered, for all were invisible. Patiently they waited, and as evening drew 'nigh, the Lieutenant of the Laiquendi received a messenger and then made his way to Beinvír and Lainiel to share his tidings.

"Thou may rest thy mind, meldis nín, for word has come to me that the Rangers and thy beloved art safely in the company of our scouts and allies," he told Beinvír, to which she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thy words art most welcome, meldir nín," she said. "What now?"

"The Mórgolodh has offered her aid and gladly have we accepted. Indeed most joyful art the Naugrim to enter battle with so fell an ally. The Rangers shalt aid us as well, to waylay the further entrance of the Yrch lair, for which action they have chosen to place themselves 'neath thy command."

Beinvír accepted these tidings with a nod, though they left her still for a time separated from Helluin. At least the Noldo would not be entering the den of foes alone. Indeed she could not have hoped for better allies to accompany her beloved into battle 'neath the earth.

Further details were spoken, and after taking counsel 'twas decided that Beinvír and Lainiel would rejoin the Rangers at nightfall to set their ambush, and so they moved upstream at dusk. Partway thither they marked the movement of the Dwarvish company marching downslope 'cross the creek, and Beinvír knew that Helluin was amongst them. The Rangers they found already waiting when they arrived. 'Neath Beinvír's direction they quickly took up positions to cover the tunnel exit, but Lainiel remained by her side.

"Rangers of Cardolan to the east; Rangers of Rhudaur to the west. Slay such as pass upon thy sides. Stay sharp, mark thy angles of fire, and let none escape," she told them.

"Thou set for the Rangers of Rhudaur the less hazardous task, I wager," Lainiel said later as they waited.

"Aye," the Green Elf agreed. "I deem fewer Yrch shalt flee back towards the fighting than away from it to the east, and thither I have deployed our more experienced warriors."

"And so we find ourselves thither as well," Lainiel said with a smile.

"I have spent ten times the years fighting Yrch as all the Rangers together can count," Beinvír said softly.

"And what of Helluin, the Mórgolodh," Lainiel asked, her curiosity piqued now regarding her other guardian.

To this query Beinvír rolled her eyes, but finally said, "she served King Turgon 'til the Fall of Gondolin, but long ere that she marched with the Host of Fingolfin that smote upon the Gates of Angband 'neath the new-risen sun."

Far from Anor's light, Helluin and the Naugrim made their way down the tunnel of the Yrch warren, and e'er the smell grew worse.

"Were there no other cause, I would be full willing to slay them for this foul stench. It offends the very earth," Belain muttered.

O'erhearing him, Helluin chuckled and said, "and I would aid thee, my friend, for thou speak true. The earth is offended. 'Naught grows upon their graves, for even in death they art an affront to Arda; creatures bred in malice as should ne'er have been."

"I find I like thee better than our tales tell," the Dwarf said, then paused with an ear canted forward. "Am I deceived, or do I hear an echo ahead?"

"Thou dost indeed," Helluin replied as she unsheathed her sword and pulled the Sarchram from her belt. "Come, battle awaits."

"About damn time," Anguirél groused. "As e'er, I crave blood."

With that they moved forward 'round a bend and found before them a broad cavern, the ceiling surprisingly high and but dimly lit with reddish flames. 'Twas populated by an unruly throng of Yrch, enmeshed in some contentious council, loudly debated with the threats and curses typical when two or more were gathered, perhaps o'er the state of the Hillmen, or the recent encroachments of unknown foes afield. Helluin and Belain slipped into the chamber a few paces, allowing the rest of the Naugrim to form up in ranks behind them.

The nearest Yrch were just turning towards the sounds of their footsteps when Helluin burst into a ril of silver and gold that flared all the brighter in that dismal place, and cried out, "Beltho huiniath! Úanno díhenas!¹" ¹(Kill 'em all! Show no mercy! Sindarin)

Beside her, Belain shouted, "Khazâd ai-mênu!¹", and his cry was taken up by the other Dwarves as they charged. ¹(Khazâd ai-mênu! The Dwarves are upon you! Khuzdul)

The choice would have been hard put, whether 'twas the battle cry of their hereditary enemies 'neath the earth, or Helluin's words, recalled from their darkest tales, that brought them the greater terror. The sudden onslaught of her unnatural light in their den alone was a cause for flight. Taken wholly at unawares, the immediate response to the attack was one of confusion, panic, and dismay. Shrieks of horror and fear filled the air as the filthy, ungainly creatures fled pell-mell in all directions. The Naugrim and the Noldo found it exhilarating and slew all they could reach with gleeful abandon. Axes whistled in deadly arcs that ended in wet, crunching impacts on flesh. Helluin's sword rent leather, cloth, and crude armor ere it clove meat and bone, whilst o'er all came the Black Sword's insatiable demand, "Sereg! Im aníron sereg!¹" ¹(Sereg! Im aníron sereg! Blood! I want blood! Sindarin)

The greater part of the Yrch fled 'cross the chamber with the Naugrim in pursuit. Helluin strode behind them, intent on slaying the few who thought to turn and fight. She taunted these, daring them to stand and face her, o'er a dozen to her one, yet they knew from lore of defeats through two Ages that this foe was untouchable. Away from her they shied, giving back whilst enduring her derision, yet finally losing patience, Helluin cast into their midst the Grave Wing. Greedily the ring blade ricocheted amongst them, hewing armor and flesh alike, and consigning their doomed spirits to the Void.

"And thither thou shalt rejoice to meet again thy master and maker," she told them, ere she snatched the returning Sarchram and lunged forward with it to behead the last. Then looking 'round her at the deserted cavern and the fallen, she muttered to herself, "now whither have those Dwarves gotten to?"

Ahead, towards the far end of the chamber and somewhat off to her right, a tunnel entrance echoed with the fading clash of weapons, the shrieks of the Yrch, and the battle cries of the Naugrim. The Noldo swiftly hastened to follow.

Helluin found this passage wider than the entrance tunnel, and it led on but a scant five fathoms 'round a left-hand bend ere opening into the corner of a smaller chamber with a far lower ceiling. Thither the Dwarves were engaging their foes with gusto, but the Yrch had formed the disorganized ranks typical of their kind and faced them now in heated combat that appeared to Helluin a bitterly contested stalemate. Though they were far better warriors, the Naugrim no longer had the advantage of surprise. They were outnumbered, and the Yrch saw more clearly in the dim torchlight. Two already had fallen, and she realized that 'twas but a matter of time ere her allies took more casualties.

"Anno nin en enedh!¹" Helluin cried out as she hastened towards the rear of the Naugrim formation. ¹(Anno nin en enedh! Give me the center! = anno-(give) + -o(imp v suff, Give!) + nin(1st pers dir obj pro, me) + en(sing def art, the) + enedh(center) Sindarin)

From the front of the lines Belain ordered, "center files, open ranks, move!"

A passage 'twixt the parting Dwarves appeared and through it Helluin charged, and in the intensity of her battle lust the ril of silver and gold that enveloped her flared, blindingly bright in that dim space. The Yrch recoiled from it with shrieks of terror, turning their eyes from the brilliance, and into their midst the Noldo spun, Anguirél whirling in cyclonic arcs as she cast the Sarchram. A path she carved through the throng of foes, whilst in her wake the floor lay littered with the slain. Into the gap that she clove, the Naugrim charged with a great shout, for by her Light they could see clearly, as if 'twas noon upon the threshold of Hollin Gate. Now their prowess shone again and they cut down their foes as the tide of the battle turned. And then the throng of Yrch broke, abandoning the fight to turn and flee down the tunnel that led outside into the valley, for any choice would they prefer to facing such enemies in an enclosed space.

For some time the Rangers had marked the sounds of fighting from within the hillside ere the first foes appeared, for the escape tunnel delivered to their ears the clash of steel and the cries of battle. Stabbing flares of light too came from that opening in the earth, though few amongst their companies knew 'aught of what that portended. Yet finally the Yrch bolted one after another from that narrow portal and into the open air in a cursing, jostling rout, and thither, in the chill dark of night, they were dropped by arrows from the bows that ringed their den.

Now though the newly trained Rangers of Rhudaur couldn't help but feel horror at their first sight of this long feared kindred, they mastered their shock and fired, aiming true as they had been taught. The Rangers of Cardolan, though they had fought Yrch aforetime, 'twas even for them a rare occasion, to be slaying these servants of Angmar, of all foes, the most hated. Beside Beinvír, Lainiel fired fast and true, and if anyone had marked it, she shot as one born with a deep enmity for these foes, as though to redress all the long years of torment her family had suffered at their hands in the drowned lands of Beleriand. But none in that company wielded their bow with such surety or purpose as Beinvír Laiquende. She had warred against this enemy now for o'er 4,600 years. At times she loosed two or even three arrows with a single drawing of her bow, and every shaft was perfectly aimed, fatally taking its target in neck, eye, or heart.

In the heat of those moments few of the Rangers marked her perfection, but Lainiel upon one side and the Lord Galor upon the other were close enough to witness her mastery. Astonishment they felt, and as had the Lady of the First House at the stealth of the Green Elves, they realized that any skill they might attain would still fall far short of what the Firstborn claimed as a birthright, conferred by their 'nigh supernatural senses and coordination.

Eventually a pile of dead formed upon the bank of the creek as bodies rolled downhill, and for what seemed an Age, more and more came forth to meet their fate, yet finally the torrent slowed to a trickle and the last Orch, lurching and limping from axe cuts, tumbled out and was shot dead upon the threshold.

The silence of the night closed down, and at Beinvír's command of 'daro!' the Rangers ceased their fire.

Shortly later they heard the approaching tramp of many boots from the tunnel, and out of its mouth came Helluin, Belain, and the Black Company of Khazad-dûm, bearing their fallen, but victorious and singing proudly as they marched.

Compared to their attempts at stealth aforetime, this celebration, and the shooting but recently completed, did indeed attract attention in the village of the Hillmen. From 'round their bonfire many turned thither, and then, seizing fiery brands, began advancing with curiosity. Perhaps they thought the Yrch engaged in some mischief that would rebound to their detriment, or more likely, most reckoned, fought amongst themselves as had happened oft enough aforetime. At the rumor of their approach Beinvír groaned and Helluin shook her head. 'Twas far too late to amend the loss of their concealment, yet even so, Helluin hissed at the Dwarves and jerked her hand downstream towards the flaming torches drawing 'nigh. Chagrined, they ceased their song and stood still with their axes at the ready.

Now as the gaggle of Hillmen came upstream they marked not the two score and ten Green Elves ranging 'bout the main entrance of the Yrch den. Indeed these had not been called upon to engage any foes as yet, for none of the Yrch had fled in their direction. No bodies shot dead littered the bank and none were to be seen thither, for the Laiquendi maintained their stealth. Yet now all knocked arrows and choose targets.

Perhaps some good fortune blessed the Hillmen that night. Perhaps their own concerns outweighed 'aught of curiosity they had for the welfare of their unpleasant allies. Whate'er their reasoning, the foremost of their number stood a while, peering into the dark maw of the tunnel, but seeing 'naught and marking 'naught, finally turned back towards their village with mutterings of disgust. The place stank and all were loath to abide it for no purpose. So in this way they unknowingly preserved their own lives, and eventually the Green Elves stood down and slipped away upstream to rejoin their allies.

To Be Continued