In An Age Before – Part 142
Chapter Ninety-six
Rhudaur and Imladris – The Third Age of the Sun
Now the Lord Galor's exploration of the archives continued. Further and further back in his town's history he traveled, reading all he deemed important as the year continued. Page by aged page he journeyed through time. The love of his place and his people grew the greater in his heart, and he found himself increasingly troubled by how fragile some of what he held had become. Finally, in the month of Nórui, 1473, he could stand it no longer and he arranged one of the hall's first floor rooms with desks and chairs, ink and quills, and sought for several amongst his folk who knew well their letters to aid him in the copying of old manuscripts. The loremaster was elated, and though he had long foreseen this need, he had not the authority to order it on his own. Still, he could preside o'er it, ensuring the accuracy of what was copied new and fair. Thus was founded the third scriptorium in the lands of Eriador, counting first the Library of Imladris and second, the Royal College at Fornost.
During those same months, the Rangers of Cardolan finished their mission and returned home, for the training of the Rangers of Rhudaur was deemed complete. The three companies of simple folk from Celenhár had been forged into a silent and deadly force who continued their campaign to free their homelands, and as the years passed, at times they would find their friends afield and join them on their missions, Cardolanath, Laiquendi, and Naugrim, and in all of Eriador 'twas the Rhudaurim who stood closest in alliance with these kindreds. Alone amongst all the folk of Eriador, they met and took counsel with the Green Elves, a thing not even the Eldar of Eriador or the Kings of the West had done.
Also as the years passed, the Lord Galor came to know more of the history of his lands and people than any other save perhaps a few scholars at Fornost, and of course the Lord Elrond Peredhel, for whom such was of memory as much as book knowledge. 'Twas a good thing, for in the spring of 1475 the old loremaster passed away, but with the comfort that others would follow him, studying and preserving the knowledge he had spent most of his life caretaking. And so, whilst serving still as a lord and Ranger, the Lord Galor became also a loremaster, sought for his wisdom by many amongst his folk. In his heart a thirst for knowledge had taken root, and for those who have felt such in their own hearts, 'tis understood that such a thirst can ne'er be wholly slaked, for one taste begets the desire for the next.
In the year 1479, Lord Galor took three Rangers and rode to Fornost, and thither he spent three glorious months enriching his lore by exploring the recorded history of the North Kingdom. Yet still a dream he held, to one day share speech with the master of Imladris, of whom his friends Helluin and Beinvír and the Lady Lainiel had said much.
During those years, the two ellith and their noble charge were oft times guests in Celenhár, for Lainiel enjoyed the company of the lord and learning the history of the people of her homeland. As they had promised, Helluin and Beinvír remained to safeguard her. Also during those years, Lady Lainiel increasingly longed to again visit Imladris. So 'twas that in late Gwaeron, (March), of 1482, shortly after celebrating her thirty-fourth birthday, the three took the road east to Bruinen, and crossing the ford, entered the Hidden Valley. With them on this journey went the Lord Galor, to fulfill his dream.
Much had changed in Rhudaur since Lainiel had first visited Imladris thirteen years aforetime. The Great East Road was safe now for travelers. No foes lurked for o'er twenty leagues to the north. Those lands had been reclaimed, settled, and patrolled by a growing count of Rhudaurim; farmers, hunters, and Rangers. Trade and traffic had resumed 'cross the lands 'twixt Bruinen and Mitheithel, and the realms of Rhudaur and Cardolan were thereby enriched. The dream of the original three soldiers of Rhudaur was well on its way to fulfillment. Yet once the ford was crossed, 'twas as if they had stepped into her memories, for time seemed to pass the Hidden Valley by.
"'Tis in all respects the same as 'twas upon my first visit, and if 'aught has changed since then, I cannot mark it," the Lady of the First House told the Lord Galor as they climbed the path into the woods of Imladris. Thither, as upon her first visit, the party was met by Lindir, who bowed and smiled and offered them welcome.
"Mae govannen, millyn nín," he told them. Then, to Lord Galor, he asked, "Noch en Hír Celenhár?¹" ¹(Noch en hír Celenhár? Are you the Lord of Celenhár? = no-(be) + -ch(2nd pers sing subj suff, are you) + en(sing def art, the) + Hír(lord) + Celenhár? Gen constr with one noun directly following another, Lord of Celenhár. Sindarin)
"Non, a non meren noad sí, an garon and harthant telad.¹" ¹(Non, a non meren noad sí, an garon and harthant telad. I am, and I am joyous to be here, for I have long hoped to come. = no-(be) + -n(1st pers sing subj suff, I am) + a(and) + no-(be) + -n(1st pers subj suff, I am) + meren(glad, joyous) + no-(be) + -ad(inf v suff, to be) + sí(here) + an(for) + garo-(have) + -n(1st pers sing subj suff, I have) + and(long) + hartho-(v hope) + -ant(v past tense suff, hoped) + telo-(come) + -ad(v inf suff, to come) Sindarin)
"Hír nín Elrond Peredhel aníro govannad cin, ist herdir,¹" Lindir said. ¹(Hír nín Elrond Peredhel aníro govannad cin, ist herdir, My lord Elrond Halfelven wishes to meet you, loremaster = hír(lord) + nín(1st pers poss pro, my) + Elrond + Peredhel(Half-Elven) + aníro(pres ind v, wishes) + govanno-(meet) + -ad(inf v suff, to meet) + cin(2nd pers dir obj pro, you) + ist(lore) + herdir(master) Sindarin)
Lord Galor audibly gulped and looked at the others with a shocked expression, suddenly self-conscious about such a position whilst in their company. Nine years study of his town's records seemed hardly a qualification for the title when compared to the Peredhel's two Ages of learning.
Lindir gave him a look of sympathy, understanding his discomfort, and said, "en hír Elrond pedatha tó nómath istad¹." ¹(En hír Elrond pedatha tó nómath istad. The lord Elrond will say that we are all learning = en(sing def art, the) + hír(lord) + Elrond + pedo-(say, speak) + -atha(fut v suff, will say) + tó(dem pro, that) + nó(are) + -m(3rd pers pl sub suff, we) + -ath(coll pl suff, we are all) + isto-(learn, have knowledge) + -ad(gerund suff, learning) Sindarin)
Helluin, Beinvír, and Lainiel chuckled, but the Lord Galor bowed deeply to Lindir in appreciation. Though the lord of his town, a Ranger of his realm, and the local historian, he had ne'er been one to judge himself above his station. He was a mortal Man, soon to pass. His town was ancient, but a backwater still, and as he had said years ago, I am no high lord to take my ease in a lavish chamber, or rule from a guarded keep.
"In 1356 the Laiquendi delivered Imladris from Angmar's assault, and long ere that they fought for Eriador against the Great Enemy, and so we esteem those who undertake their ways to serve the cause of good. Thy raiment and thy commitment as a Ranger art testimony to the nobility of thy character and the convictions of thy people, and this we hold in high regard. Yes, we art immortal, but do not forget that the Lord Elrond's sire and twin brother were mortal Men, more alike to thee in heart than not," Lindir said, ere he bowed to the Lord Galor in turn.
Quite a gracious comparison, I deem that, Beinvír said to Helluin silently, eye to eye.
Our Lord Galor, Eärendil, and Elros Tar-Minyatur, Helluin replied with the hint of a grin, fair company indeed.
Their aside passed unmarked by the others and the party made their way down the path and into the Hidden Valley. They were conducted first to the Lord Elrond's study whither the Peredhel greeted his guests and offered welcome and refreshments.
"My greetings and welcome to this fair company," Elrond said, casting a fleeting glance to Helluin, ere adding, "and my thanks to thee and thy people, Lord Galor, for restoring safe passage upon the East Road. I would have thy counsel also, for I have learnt that alone amongst all the folk of Eriador, thy Rangers enjoy the company of the Laiquendi. In all my years, save for my friend Beinvír, I have met aforetime only one of that kindred, and that but briefly upon two occasions. I pray thee, as one who also seeks after knowledge, to speak with me of thy experiences."
"T'would be my pleasure, Lord Elrond," Galor said, controlling his surprise at the request, "and at thy convenience I shalt endeavor to pass on all that I have learnt."
"Perhaps then, after thy company is settled and made comfortable, thou would join me for the evening meal to begin our conversation? We can adjourn to my library after, and thither I may also be able to hasten thy search for whatsoe'er knowledge thou seek."
"Thy most gracious offer I accept full-willing, my lord, and I thank thee most sincerely for the opportunity," Galor said with a broad smile. 'Twas far more than he had e'er expected. During his sojourn in Fornost, he had ne'er even seen King Araphor from a distance, and the scholars at the Royal College had looked down their noses at him, for he was not Dúnedain.
There seemed to be no lack of space, for Helluin and Beinvír were offered the same rooms they had occupied many times in the past, whilst Lainiel was happy to take the adjacent rooms she had stayed in on her earlier visit. The Lord Galor was given an apartment that shared the same large terrace, but also had an entrance into the hallway leading to the library and the Lord Elrond's study.
After settling and resting a while from their journey, they met on the terrace and made their way to the dining hall for the evening meal. They found that much of the household was in attendance that night, and most managed at some point to greet their old friends and Lord Galor, who didn't cease to be surprised by the warmth of his welcome. Indeed he was amazed to find himself seated at the Peredhel's right hand, whither he shared much conversation with the Lord of Imladris. Yet the Lord's interest was in earnest, and Galor endeavored to fulfill his offer to tell what tidings he could of the Green Elves and their partnership with his Rangers. In this he received the attention of many of the Noldor, for though they had lived thousands of years in Eriador, save for their friend Beinvír, none of them had seen any other Green Elf more than once. This truly left the Lord Galor astonished, for Gwilolrán and his folk seemed neither o'erly secretive, nor threatening. They were simply more perfect in their stealth than his Rangers. The Rangers met them at whiles and joined forces for their campaigns, yet expected no more of them. They were not trading partners or neighboring settlers, and save in their shared enmity for the servants of Carn Dûm and their love of Eriador, the two kindreds had little in common.
"They have the welcome of the town, of course, but stay not as guests amongst us," Lord Galor told Elrond. "Yet at times we find 'aught, a token or sign that some have been 'nigh, and sometimes these have been given in trade for 'aught that they might need; a travel bag or ground cloth left for firewood used, food eaten, and such. We begrudge them 'naught, for some amongst us have been delivered by their aid; hunters afield when weather turns unexpectedly foul, farmers afflicted by accidents far from a healer, travelers stranded when beasts take ill."
"And what of thy shared campaigns?" Elrond asked. "How do thy Rangers summon and take counsel of war with them?"
"Indeed we summon them not," Galor said, "yet sometimes whilst on campaign they simply appear, knowing both our plans and the enemy's. Most uncanny this seemed at first, yet we art no longer surprised by it, for we deem they know all that comes to pass in their lands."
"Beinvír and Helluin have told me aforetime of their vigilance, and I have witnessed their stealth," Elrond commented. "Yet amongst mortal Men I have known but one other who has met with a Green Elf, and that was none other than Elendil, who was visited by their king, Dálindir, and reassured of the safety of his realm just ere he marched to Dagorlad with the Last Alliance."
Galor could but gape at the Lord of Imladris. Could it hath truly been 1,500 years since last a mortal Man had held converse with one of the Laiquendi? Yet if he was amazed by that, what Elrond said next simply confounded him to silence. Not even the Noldor of Eriador could detect the Laiquendi.
"In all my years I have seen Dálindir but twice and briefly; upon the bank of Bruinen in 1356, and in Ossiriand 'nigh the end of the First Age."
Much else was said after, yet ere the dawn, the Lord Galor's lids grew heavy whilst Lainiel nodded in her chair. They had been up and riding shortly after the previous dawn, and the long day, full meal, warm dining hall, and good wine had sapped their mortal vigor.
"Thy pardon, my Lord Elrond, but I find myself in need of rest," Galor finally said, stifling a yawn. "I have not thy stamina despite my interest in the topic. 'Tis the mortal need of sleep I find now most pressing."
"'Tis thy pardon I should ask, my friend, for I have let my curiosity outweigh my duty as thy host," the Peredhel replied. "Pray take thy rest and come to me again when thou art refreshed. We have much to discuss and still the contents of the library at thy disposal."
Thereafter the mortal guests retired, but Helluin and Beinvír remained in the hall, speaking with old friends and enjoying the company of their kind, yet eventually Anor rose and a new day opened. The Elves went to their tasks and the Lord Elrond went to his study, thither to record all that he had heard.
Now the days passed and the weeks came and went. In some corner of his mind, Lord Galor was aware of Ithil's phases, yet it seemed that no sense of haste impinged upon his studies as the months went by. Some enchantment lay upon the Hidden Valley. This he had heard aforetime, yet even knowing it, he felt no concern. He could have happily grown old in Elrond's library, for one source led to another in what seemed an endless web, and e'er the Peredhel offered clarification and the answers to his many questions. Spring gave way to summer, and as had Anárion of Númenor, heir to Tar-Ancalimë the first queen, Lord Galor sailed far upon the sea of learning, an explorer as intrepid as any who had braved the storms of Belegaer, though ne'er had he set foot aboard a ship. Oft he had the company of the Lady Lainiel, for she too had loved spending time in Elrond's library upon her first visit years ago.
Upon 7 Lothron, whilst reading from an ancient tome bound in ruddy leather, the Lord Galor found mention of his town. In the first week of Cerveth, (July), 1695 of the Second Age, the people of old Celenhár had fled westward in terror of the onslaught of Sauron's Glamhoth. Word had come that Ost-In-Edhil had fallen and Celebrimbor had been taken. Now the enemy was marching north in pursuit of Elrond's forces just 'cross Bruinen, whilst into Eriador had flowed a river of refugees from Eregion. 'Twas 'naught to do but abandon their home in haste and pray their flight was swift enough to stay ahead of the fighting. The volume had been compiled from firsthand accounts only shortly after the war by none other than his host, the Lord of Imladris. Hither at last was a record of the events preceding the foundation of the Celenhár he knew. Before his eyes, legend became history. He could hardly wait to share his discovery, and so he called for Helluin and Beinvír, Lainiel and Elrond.
Because of their friend's obvious excitement, the four converged on the library straight away and stood before the table at which he had established himself that day. With a single glance Elrond recognized the book he had penned aforetime and gave the two ellith a surreptitious look.
"My friends and host," Galor said, offering a dip of his head to the Lord of the Hidden Valley, "I have hither the history of a fearsome war, authored by none other than our most gracious host. Nowhere else, I deem, could I have found so true and complete an account of great events involving my own home. Even if that mention is but tangential to the greater deeds of those days, 'tis a treasure to my heart for which I am most grateful."
Shrewdly guessing the nature of the Lord Galor's exuberance, Elrond commented silently to the two ellith, tangential mention is indeed a generous appraisal, for I recall mentioning the name of his town but twice, in one paragraph illustrating the generalities of the times following the fall of Ost-in-Edhil 'nigh the opening of the war.
His silent aside caused Helluin to groan and Beinvír's eyes to widen. The further accounts of that war would no doubt include their shadowy campaign and Helluin's excesses. 'Twas not pretty reading for any, especially mortals, and t'would no doubt influence Lainiel and Galor's appraisals of their teachers and friends.
Completely misunderstanding their reactions, the Lord Galor said, "I apologize if in my excitement I have dredged up painful memories, my friends. I have yet to read the whole of these accounts, but I doubt not that so great a conflict caused much suffering and many sorrows. Ye have my sympathies."
"The times were…trying," Beinvír hedged ere the three Elves retreated from the library, leaving Galor and Lainiel eager to devour Elrond's Narn en Goth i-Ngolodhrim a Sauron, (An Account of The War of the Elves and Sauron).
That scholarly glut occupied the two mortals for the remainder of the day, most of that night, and another full day, during which time Helluin and Beinvír held their breaths whilst awaiting the fall of the other shoe, begrimed now with horror and revulsion. Galor and Lainiel finally finished their banquet in the late evening of the 8th and quit the library to join the company of Imladris for dinner in the Hall of Feasting. They arrived late for the meal and looked weary, as if reading of so much horror and bloodshed had taken its toll on their vitality as much as had their lack of sleep.
Elrond espied them pausing at the threshold and beckoned them to his table. Beside him, Helluin and Beinvír waited as the two mortals hesitantly approached. The lateness of the hour meant that few still lingered at table, and so Galor and Lainiel took seats at the lord's left hand, 'cross from the two ellith, and for some moments none spoke.
Elrond marked their discomfort and finally broke the silence.
"Come, my friends and refresh yeselves, for immersion in the accounts of great wars leaves deep impressions best assuaged by a return to such normalcy as a meal and company provide. I have no doubt ye feel the need to share what ye have learnt, for the doings of such times art best not kept within lest they fester into depression. 'Twas so for me, and setting down the history of those years I found cathartic. Conversation may bring ye comfort, if 'tis not too soon."
At first Galor and Lainiel just stared at him as if bespelled, yet they began to shake off the shock that had held them mute, for the lord's words and the concerned looks of their friends did indeed begin to thaw their hearts, drawing them back from their horror to the present; warm fire crackling upon the hearth, scent of food, and cheerful voices 'nigh to hand. Galor reached for a roll of whole grain bread whilst Lainiel took a deep breath and prepared to speak.
"Of times so dire, I have no experience," she slowly said. "Small battles I have fought and even some Yrch I have seen, yet 'naught that I know prepared me for the battles of which I read. I felt the terror at long remove, for thy words and the deeds done in those days assailed me as though I saw them unfold before my own eyes. To my shame I must admit that courage came not first to heart, but rather thoughts of flight and the desire to preserve those dear to me."
"I too felt such terror," Galor said, "and as did my ancestors in old Celenhár, I deem I should have thought first to flee ere the storms of war came upon me. I fear that little aid would I have offered, o'erwhelmed as I felt 'neath Sauron's assault upon my homelands."
Elrond sighed, perceiving their troubled hearts and understanding the effects that his account of the war had left upon the two mortals.
"First I should explain 'aught regarding that book, and many other books held in my library," he said, pausing ere he continued with, "ye know somewhat of the way of the Eldar when met eye to eye, to share with other minds that which we have seen, creating thus a living experience for those receiving such memories?"
Galor and Lainiel nodded, both having experienced that of which he spoke.
"Then ye should know that by reading an account written with deep feeling, an effect much akin is oft experienced, especially in minds gifted with imagination and receptive to that which is read. 'Tis like smelling the smoke of a fire unseen beyond a ridgeline."
At the startled looks from Galor and Lainiel, Elrond added, "be not alarmed, my friends. 'Tis no dark enchantment. That moving of the heart by words upon a page is much the same whether the author be Elda or Mortal. Art not the great poets of Númenor regarded as mages when their verses bring warmth to the heart or tears to the eye if love or loss art the subjects?"
Again Galor and Lainiel nodded in agreement, both knowing firsthand of how moving eloquent words could be.
"Speak then, and be comforted," the Lord Elrond said, "for ye sit amongst friends who lived through those days."
The two mortals looked to each other, trying to decide who would speak first. Finally Lainiel nodded to Galor to precede her, and after giving thought to his words, the Lord of Celenhár began.
"What impressed itself first upon me was the vast armies that came to war in the lands of Eriador. Of the Glamhoth and Easterlings in Sauron's service, thou set their count at 125,000," he said with a nod to the Peredhel, "whilst the Númenóreans brought 100,000 in two hosts. Of the Noldor, Sindar, and Laiquendi, perhaps another 25,000, with an additional 15,000 to 20,000 allies from Khazad-dûm and Lórinand. All told, those kindreds numbered o'er a quarter-million warriors, bent for six years upon slaughter. 'Tis hard to imagine these lands so torn and soaked with blood."
He paused for a moment to revisit his memory of what he had read three years aforetime at the library in Fornost Erain in 1479.
"In 1409 the Lord of Carn Dûm sent 40,000 to o'errun Cardolan and break Arthedain. Against them stood but 12,000 allies, yet Angmar was routed and that war was won in 'neath a year. 'Tis the greatest battle our memory recalls, and yet 'twas but a skirmish by the standards of the Second Age. "
"Much regarding the resolution of the war with Angmar is not commonly known," Elrond said, "for the Witch King had come to join the final battle leading a host of 30,000 fresh troops, and but for a coup that cut short the war, Arthedain would have surely fallen. The fate of Eriador hung by a thread and we were o'ermastered, yet wit prevailed when weapons could not, for we had no longer the strength to endure 'til year's ending."
"Even by the standards of the Second Age, the war of 1409 was no mere skirmish," Helluin said, breaking her silence for the first time. "Though the count of our allies was double that which has been commonly reported, Angmar came as close to taking Eriador as did Sauron in the Age before." She sighed, and after trading glances with Beinvír added, "such accounts as ye may have read at Fornost leave much unreported, yet of those things, we shalt not speak."
Thou care not to mention thy enchantment of the King of Arthedain, meldanya? Beinvír chided silently with the hint of a grin. Nor thy theft of images from the mind of our host?
Helluin groaned and shook her head, 'nay'. Elrond noted their exchange as he looked o'er the Green Elf's shoulder to Helluin, curiosity blooming upon his face. To his left, Lainiel set down a goblet of wine and prepared to speak.
"Despite thy descriptions of, the unstoppable scourge of the Glamhoth that darkened the land of Eregion with slaughter, 'twas the terror they wrought that most strongly assailed me," she said to Elrond. "To find defeat and death in war is not unexpected, though it fill the heart with fear, but to know thy body shalt be defiled, butchered as fodder for thy foes, fills my mind with horror. Their penchant for wanton cruelty and destruction, far in excess of a victor's need, has led me to understand somewhat the hatred thy people bear for the Yrch and their master."
"Like the Toroth, the Yrch were not given the breath of life by The One," Helluin said, "for they were first created by Morgoth through the corruption of our own. His legacy to them was the need to violate and corrupt all else, and it rules them still."
"E'er shalt our kindreds be the bitterest of enemies," Elrond said, "we who reverence the life Ilúvatar gifted to us, and those in whom 'twas twisted and debased. They despise their creator and their masters little less than we who art Eru's Children, yet fear drives them harder than that enmity. Rarely do they break from their service to their masters, and only then because of a greater fear."
"Yet for those possessed by such a ravening malice there can be few as could bring to bear a greater fear than Sauron or his Nazgûl," Lainiel said to Elrond, "especially in these latter days. Númenor and the great kings of Arnor passed long ago, and so too the Elven king and many of thy people. What if Angmar should rise again?"
The Peredhel sighed. In the years ahead he suspected just such would happen, and perhaps worse too; Dol Guldur and Mordor, Sauron and his Nazgûl. And the Ring.
For a time fearful silence held sway, yet finally the Lord of Imladris spoke to offer hope for his mortal guests.
"There art still some in Middle Earth to put the Yrch to flight, and even to withstand the Dark Lord and his servants. The Istari have great wisdom and power to oppose evil, and there art others too, hither and elsewhere. 'Cross this table sits one, the one the enemy fears above all others. They call her Mórraug and Agarfaugorog, Black Demon and Bloodthirsty Terror, but in their harsh Black Speech that I shalt not utter here, and they have lost at each meeting. Yrch, Tor, the accursed Nine, and even Sauron himself have been worsted in battle with her. Úlairdacil they call her in Gondor, for she alone hath slain a Nazgûl."
"They go not to the land of Eregion," Beinvír said, "not since their defeat in the war of which thou read, for that land they deem cursed against them, and thither is 'naught for spoil or sport. After the fall of Ost-In-Edhil it became again a part of Eriador, but 'tis also a land apart, guarded by my people as was Ossiriand of old. And in the east wall is still the west gate of Hadhodrond."
A land apart, guarded as was Ossiriand of old, the loremaster mused. It makes sense, for the parallels art many; a land 'twixt rivers and mountains, with Dwarves to the east, Men to the west, Noldor to the north, and beyond, the Enemy. I am amazed that I marked it not aforetime…
"Eastern Eriador they tread in fear…fear of the horrors visited upon them there long ago," Helluin softly said, "for they lost many upon their way to the Lune, and an Age later, many more ere they came to Fornost. Forty thousands embattled the Dúnedain upon the North Downs, aye, but none of those came from Cardolan whither 'nigh on seventeen thousands lay in the grass, shot dead."
…fear of the horrors visited upon them there long ago… Lainiel gulped. The accounts of Helluin's atrocities had been amongst the hardest passages for her to read. Her noble guardian, so obviously esteemed by all, had fallen into darkness and conducted her campaign with astonishing cruelty, surpassing in malice any Orch.
"The cause of their fear I understand, for thy hatred made thee a terror to them, and only by defiling them could thou compel the Yrch with a fear greater than their master," Lainiel said to Helluin. "Thy tactics horrified me, and yet o'er 3,000 years later they still fear to tread these lands." Then, turning to Beinvír she said, "I could not have followed in thy footsteps through all those years of bloodshed."
For a while, all were grim and silent, yet finally Helluin said, "even ere I raised my arms against the enemy I was wroth at my treatment by my own people and Beinvír's. In a blood rage I walked thereafter for four years, and simply slaying my enemies offered no satisfaction. I came to crave their fear more than their deaths. Thus I truly came to know their master, and finally in their hearts, to surpass him. Far must one fall and dark must be one's thought to become a nightmare to nightmares."
Upon that note, the Lord Galor and the Lady Lainiel found they had lost any appetite and excused themselves from Elrond's table in favor of a night's rest. In their absence, the three Elves spoke briefly amongst themselves.
"That went as well as could be expected, I suppose," Elrond said, shaking his head.
"Aye," Helluin agreed, sipping from a goblet of wine, "indeed better than I expected."
"And I wonder just what they shalt uncover next, for I doubt that their exploration of thy library is done," the Green Elf said to Elrond.
Preoccupied with their own concerns, the three Elves gave little further thought to the actions of their mortal friends that night as they took their leave.
"For all this evening's horrors, I deem it went as well as could be expected," Galor said as they passed the threshold of the dining hall. "Still, I shalt long cringe at the memory of this talk."
"Indeed it went better than I expected, and yet my blood runs chill," Lainiel replied. "'Twixt what we have read and what we have heard, my sleep shalt be haunted for many nights to come…if sleep comes to me at all."
They walked down the hall together in silence, troubled in spirit as each pondered their own visions of the war, and finally they came to the Lord Galor's apartments. He laid a hand on the knob, but hesitated to open the door.
"Somber and all too spacious shalt I find these rooms this night," he said, "and as thou, I feel little inclined to sleep lest my dreams be populated with the terrors of the Glamhoth and worse. Perhaps if thou art so inclined, thou might spare me thy company a while longer?"
"I find that I too am in no hurry to pass the dark hours alone with my thoughts," Lainiel replied. "I would welcome thy company indeed, for already we have shared much."
The entrance to Galor's chambers opened onto a parlor with a comfortable sofa and chairs upholstered in fine, sky blue damask wool, tables and a sideboard carved of oak in the elegant Elvish fashion, and a fieldstone fireplace, cold now at the height of summer. He led Lainiel to the sofa and then went 'round lighting the lamps to bring the room a comforting light. Ere joining her, Galor brought a decanter of wine and cups on a tray, and these he set on the low table before them. Finally he reclined with a sigh of relief and tilted his head o'er the sofa back, looking up to regard the coffering of the ceiling. Lainiel poured the wine and sipped from her cup.
"I know the kindred of Men hate the Yrch from of old," he said after some moments of silence, "yet t'would seem the Eldar hate them far more, if that be possible."
Lainiel took another sip of wine and said, "I am persuaded of it, for they live fore'er accumulating memories of conflict and woe, and so what is for us a history of hatred is for them personal experience. Imagine if thou bore thyself all the wrongs done our kind since the days of Balan."
"I cannot imagine it," Galor said, turning to look at the lady, "and yet, like Elrond, or Lindir, or Beinvír, most bear it with remarkable restraint. Even Helluin, for all her reputed rage and malice, seems little affected day to day."
Lainiel sat thinking back to such times as they had been embattled. Helluin and Beinvír had fought with uncommon mastery, but evinced no unexpected viciousness. Yet during the time of their association, their experiences included only the occasional skirmish, whilst the single battle against the Yrch had been joined underground.
"I deem we have not seen them at war," she said. "We have not even seen them facing massed foes. Only the Naugrim were witness to the fighting in the Yrch lair."
"Aye," Galor agreed, "and Belain called that battle glorious and seemed besotted by his experience fighting in Helluin's company. According to all our lore they art fearsome warriors, and yet he, a veteran captain, was 'nigh hero worship in his regard for her."
"I think that battle was decided quickly," Lainiel said, "and there was not time for any elaborate desecration of the dead."
"And those we shot bore no unusual wounds," Galor added.
For some time both fell silent again, contemplating the history they had read. Despite the atrocities she had committed in the opening years of the War of the Elves and Sauron, Helluin had later incited the Laiquendi to their greatest victory since the rising of the sun and moon, preserving the armies of Gil-Galad and Ciryatur, whose troops she had then inspired to even greater victories at Sarn Ford and Tharbad. Half an Age later, she had deprived Sauron of his most fearsome vassals, freed his captives, and challenged him to single combat, recovering the Palantír of Minas Ithil. And some gambit of which none would speak had caused the downfall of the Witch King just seventy years past. Beinvír had told of the Noldo's presence at some great battles of the First Age as well. They realized that there was much they did not know, but the horrors she had visited upon the Yrch in eastern Eriador o'er three thousand years afore seemed to be an isolated and uncharacteristic event. Still, the history they had read filled them with horror.
"There is more to the story, I am sure," Lainiel finally said, "and yet I fear to read it."
"We have read 'naught concerning the Elder Days, for even in Fornost such was regarded as legend as much as history," Galor replied. "Of all places in Eriador, hither is the closest we shalt e'er come to learning the true story of those days, for hither live yet some whose memory stretches back to that time."
"Galor, those art the days from which my family was torn, and from what little I have been told, we were lucky to be taken. The First House of the Edain in Beleriand was well 'nigh exterminated in those days, fighting beside the Elves against the Great Enemy, Sauron's master," Lainiel said as she wrapped her arms 'round herself, shivering as if at winter's chill. "Despite all the lives and blood dear spent, we lost."
Galor wrapped an arm 'cross her shoulders and pulled her close, and she leant into him, comforted by the warmth of his body. Slowly, for the first time since they had begun reading, she felt a measure of safety and allowed herself to relax.
"I doubt not that the tale of those days is filled with horror, and bloodshed, and loss," he said, "and yet 'twas long, long ago. We live not in Morgoth's shadow, and the rumor of the lesser shadow of his servant is only a rumor now. We have heard of how he was vanquished and his Ring taken. The greatest evil of our time is the Witch King, thrall of a thrall, and so we art blessed to be not so o'ermastered as were our ancestors. Take comfort in that if thou can, my lady. I, for one, am most thankful that thou was't delivered from the First Age. Still, perhaps t'would be best if we read next the accounts of the Last Alliance."
But the Lady of the First House answered not, for having found surcease from fear and doubt for a moment, she had given in to her fatigue and drifted off to sleep, and in time, Galor did as well.
To be Continued