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.

149. In An Age Before Chapter 149

In An Age Before – Part 149

Chapter One Hundred

Eriador and Tol Fuin – The Third Age of the Sun

Following Lainiel's funeral there were held some further memorials and the evening meal ere the mortals went to their night's rest. Helluin and Beinvír accompanied Lord Rochen and his Rangers back to Cardolan on the morn of 30 Urui. They reached the mansion that the two ellith would always think of as Húngan's in the afternoon of 2 Ivanneth, (September 2nd), and there took counsel with the lord regent.

"Lord Rochen, thou know the tale of thy sister's discovery amidst the slaughter of her family," Helluin said, "and of our hasty interment of her ancestors and their servants 'nigh the Road."

"Aye, I remember thy tale well, for a great impression it made on my youthful mind," the regent replied.

"To honor the Lady Dúrrél and her household we now go," Beinvír told him, "for we have come to believe it fitting that they be returned to the land of their birth."

At this, Lord Rochen's eyes widened in surprise.

"From what lore I know, by the Lady Dúrrél's age they would have most likely abode in Brethil with the Haladin, or perhaps in Dor-Lómin with her younger sister's folk. 'Naught remains of those lands."

"For our part, we deem that she fled to Brethil, for she escaped the Curse of Morgoth that was laid upon her sister's family," Helluin replied, "yet she was born and grew up in Ladros, in the northeast of Dorthonion, ere the Dagor Bragollach. Upon Belegaer lies Tol Fuin, and there I believe, a fragment of Ladros yet endures."

The Regent of Cardolan nodded in acceptance of their rede, for he had no lore to gainsay it. The heartbreak which befell the family of Morwen and Húrin was well known.

"Through my sister, the Lady Dúrrél and her family art kin to me as well. How then can I aid ye in honoring these noble Atani?"

"I deem we need a cart to carry the remains, and a horse to draw it 'cross Eriador to Mithlond, where by the grace of King Araphor we shalt take a ship of Arthedain. Too, we shalt need a coffinwright who can build six caskets, though I wager these need not be of a size required for recently deceased bodies. I expect to find 'naught but disarticulated bones after eighty-six years in the ground. Finally, there should be grave markers of carved stone, though these need not be large or ornate."

Rochen nodded in agreement and said, "such things we can easily provide. Leave the arrangements to me, and give me a list of 'aught as should be carved upon the caskets and the grave stones."

Shortly later, having taken up pen and parchment, Helluin proffered to Rochen a list of the inscriptions for each casket and grave marker.

For the Lady Dúrrél; Dúrrél Baragundiel, Adaneth en Herth Erui Beleriand, Dúrrél Daughter of Baragund, Lady of the First House of Beleriand.

For her daughter who had worn the signet ring; Hílil a Dúrréliel, Adaneth en Herth Erui Beleriand, Heiress and Daughter of Dúrrél, Lady of the First House of Beleriand.

For her husband, whose ring of marriage matched that worn by Dúrrél's daughter; Herven Dúrréliel, Adan Beleriand, Husband of Dúrrél's Daughter, a Man of the Three Houses of Beleriand.

For the young mother of Lainiel; Naneth Lainiel, Réliel Dúrrél, Adaneth en Herth Erui Beleriand, Mother of Lainiel, Granddaughter (lit. daughter of daughter) of Dúrrél, Lady of the First House of Beleriand.

For each of the two slain servants; Buidir Brand, en Herth Dúrrél, Noble Manservant of the House of Dúrrél.

It took 'nigh a fortnight for the thavron, (carpenter), to construct the caskets, and for the sarndan, (stone wright), to carve the headstones. Helluin and Beinvír were impressed with their work and deemed them wholly fitting to honor Dúrrél and her family. The caskets were of stout oak, sized as for a Perian, with hinged tops and two brass handles per side. The grave markers were of dark, fine-grained slate, upon whose faces the inscriptions showed notably lighter. The lettering and the sigil of Dúrrél's house had been boldly carved upon each.

A crew of Cardolan Rangers loaded all upon the cart that Rochen had provided, and covered the cargo with a waxed tarp. 'Twixt the cart's twin shafts, a brown horse was harnessed, and he stood patiently whilst the two ellith prepared to drive to the gravesite they so clearly remembered from 1448.

"The horse's name is Wiley, though he is neither cunning, nor ill-tempered. Pray try to keep him happy, and all should be well," the regent said.

"Lord Rochen, great thanks do we owe thee for arranging with thy craftsmen for the creation of such as shalt protect and memorialize thy sister's family," Beinvír had told him after the two ellith had inspected the completed works.

"It hath been my privilege, and as family, indeed 'twas my duty," he replied. After a short pause for thought, he continued, saying, "much have I to thank those ancestors for, for of them came my sister who brought great joy to us all. My family was indeed blessed. Though I am no loremaster, I am curious about that land whence they came. I pray thee share thy tale upon thy return."

"'Aught that I know of Ladros tells of a cold, windy, and in later years forbidding place. Despite the chill 'twas quite habitable at first, especially inland, whilst its northern borders o'erlooked Ard-Galen, which after the Dagor Bragollach became the desolation of Anfauglith. Beyond lay the threat of Angband 'neath the volcanic peaks of Thangorodrim," Helluin said. "At the opposite end of Dorthonion lay Gondolin within the Echoriath, and those heights were frigid."

"Of whatsoe'er we find remaining, we shalt be glad to tell," the Green Elf added.

Upon 17 Ivanneth they set out just after dawn, heading north from the mansion. They took a dirt track, one of many that had sprung up with the increased traffic o'er the past decades, and followed it all that day ere stopping to make a camp and rest Wiley the horse in the last hour ere twilight. Their journey continued on the 18th, 'til in the second hour past noon they turned west off the track, and in the late afternoon came upon that place which their memories told had been the scene of the slaughter eighty-six years aforetime. Again they set a camp for the night, for they deemed the exhumations to be a task best essayed in daylight.

A fine dawn greeted the two ellith upon the 19th, and after breaking their fast, they took a spade and a shovel from the wagon bed and found the place of the Lady Dúrrél's burial. Thereafter commenced a full day's labor, for what had been done in a few hours aforetime took o'er twice that span to undo. Care was needed to avoid damaging the bones, now bare and fragile after four score and six years 'neath the ground. Still, by nightfall all six bodies had been exhumed and placed into their caskets. Thereafter the lids were sealed shut with pitch.

Now upon 20 Ivanneth, Helluin and Beinvír drove their cart north to the Great East Road, and this they followed west through the Lone Lands to Weathertop where they were met by soldiers of Arthedain with whom they spent the night of the 22nd. The captain of the garrison upon Amon Sûl dispatched a messenger to Fornost, and having heard the two ellith's tale, called forth his garrison to stand at attention along the Road to honor the fallen as Helluin and Beinvír took their leave on the 23rd. At a walk they rode west, passing the Midgewater Marshes to their north in the evening of the 24th, and coming upon the 25th to the town of Bree. There they repaired for two nights, and there a messenger from Fornost found them in the common room in the evening of the 26th.

"My ladies, I am Belegor son of Boromir, King's Messenger. I bring ye greetings and good wishes from His Grace Lord Araphor," he said. Then he unshouldered his bag and opened the flap, withdrawing a large roll of sable fabric. This he unbound and spread upon their table, revealing a stack of six shrouds and a pennant, all bearing the sigil of the House of Baragund. "My lord sends these to be coverlets for the caskets of the fallen, and the pennant to distinguish your cart."

'Twas a great honor, for it elevated their riding to the status of a royal state funeral procession. The two ellith dipped their heads to acknowledge the honor done the deceased, and voiced their thanks to the messenger and the king.

"By the hour, I deem ye shalt not proceed 'til the morn," he said to them.

The two ellith nodded 'aye', and Helluin offered, "as thou hast suffered a long ride in haste, t'would please us to invite thee to join us for the evening meal, good Messenger of Arthedain."

The Man gave her a grateful smile and replied, "t'would be my pleasure to accept thy kind offer, my lady, for indeed I have but snacked in the saddle since this morn past and find myself famished."

Beinvír beckoned o'er a server, a young Perian called Zat, and ordered three bowls of beef bourguignon, a loaf with butter, and a bottle of red wine. In the meantime, the messenger had draped his cloak o'er the back of a chair and taken a seat.

Now ere the food arrived, Belegor said, "my Lord Araphor has dispatched an honor guard to accompany ye upon the road to Mithlond. There a ship shalt await ye in port, for he hath not forgotten the order that he signed at thy request, following the funeral of Lord Húngan."

"Lord Araphor was e'er noble and generous to us, Belegor, and I would that thou convey our great appreciation to him for all he hath done," Helluin said.

"Whither and whence shalt we meet this honor guard?" Beinvír asked.

"Indeed they ride hither in haste and should arrive tomorrow morn," Belegor replied, "and that is why I asked to confirm that ye would stay your ride this night."

Zat arrived bearing their suppers and they dined with gusto, enjoying both the delicious fare and the company of the messenger, who shared many tidings of the North Kingdom. Thereafter they went to their rest.

On the morn of the 27th, the two ellith rose early and broke their fast, and then to the stables they went to prepare the cart, dressing the caskets with the shrouds Belegor had brought, and setting the pennant atop a pole o'er the cart's bed. They marked that the messenger's horse was already gone. Belegor had taken his leave with the dawn, back to Fornost in haste no doubt, to report to the king. 'Twas shortly after they finished hitching Wiley to the cart that they marked a commotion in the courtyard, and driving thither, discovered a growing crowd of Breefolk, (large and small), gawking at a dozen mounted Knights of Arthedain. These were drawn up in formation just off the road leading down to the town gate.

Upon seeing the two ellith driving the cart, the leading knight ordered, "company, move out!"

The knights preceded the cart down the street to the gate, but after passing through onto the East Road, the leading knight called out the order, "escort formation!"

Immediately, the last four knights moved to the sides of the road, allowing the cart to pass 'twixt them ere taking up a block formation behind. The remaining eight knights rode ahead of the cart in pairs with the company commander in the front right position, yet soon he dropped back to ride alongside in order to speak briefly with Helluin and Beinvír.

"My ladies, I am Haldan son of Hunthor, Knight Commander of this honor guard. As Belegor has said, my company is to escort the funeral cart to Mithlond, and convey ye to the crown's ship Núra Lúne Eari¹." ¹(Núra Lúne Eari, Deep Blue Seas Quenya)

"Good Knight of Arthedain, thou may simply call us Beinvír and Helluin, for we art not of noble birth," Helluin said. She had chosen not to correct the messenger, for she had felt much thanks to him, but she knew she would come to chaff at the mistaken title o'er the course of the whole ride to Mithlond. Yet the knight surprised the two ellith.

"Lady Helluin, Lady Beinvír, it hath been twenty years since the Court of Arthedain recognized ye for your service to the realm in the war of 1409. My Lord Araphor deemed that the return of the Palantír of Amon Sûl alone qualified ye for the honor of knighthood, yet that was only one of many acts o'er many, many years. His Grace felt that 'twas the least we could do, and long o'erdue at that."

Well, that's a shocker, your Ladyship, Helluin said to the Green Elf silently, eye to eye.

'Tis another title to add to thy growing list, meldanya, Beinvír replied just as silently. No wonder Belegor mentioned it not. 'Twas old news to him.

And old news is no news, I wager.

"Our thanks for thy tidings, Sir Haldan. We knew it not. Indeed I deem that we have not set foot in Fornost since 1448," Helluin said.

"'Twas after meeting ye again at Lord Húngan's funeral and recalling somewhat of your history which he had heard at the Lady Lainiel's wedding, that he deemed this honor a fitting token that was within his power to bestow for your long years of aid to the Dúnedain."

"…my lord, we art both common born amongst our peoples, remain wanderers by choice, and art oft called into danger far afield…" Beinvír's words to King Araphor at Lainiel's wedding came to both ellith from memory.

"Please convey our sincerest thanks to King Araphor for this honor," the Green Elf told Haldan. "We appreciate his generosity, and that he regards us with such esteem."

"Aye, belated though our expression of thanks may be, 'tis no less heartfelt," Helluin added, "for oft art we tardy in hearing tidings."

Indeed we were only fifteen centuries late in learning of the Kingdom of Eriador, Helluin added silently to Beinvír.

Not to mention being o'er fifty years delayed in answering thy late High King's summons, upon a time, the Green Elf replied.

"One further tiding I can offer ye then," Haldan said, thereby recovering the two ellith's attention. "In the Royal College at Fornost there art heraldic devices created for each of ye, as befits Knights of the Realm."

At their looks of astonishment, he added, "when I was assigned this command, I took it upon myself to view those designs. Lady Helluin, thy device displays Anguirél vertically with the Sarchram superimposed, centered. Lady Beinvír, thy device displays thy bow vertically with thy sigilin goth¹ crossed and superimposed, centered. Both heraldries art sewn with argent thread upon fields of sable." ¹(sigilin goth, knives of war Sindarin)

The two ellith tried to picture the images Haldan had described, and they found it easier than discerning when they would have any need of such devices. E'er they had found their presence unheralded to be more effective, especially in Beinvír's case, for the Green Elves had developed the most complete stealth of any Elven kindred. Even during their years as First Guardian of Lebennin they had gone about anonymously for the most part. Indeed 'twas not 'til they passed on their rule that the realm as a whole had thought a heraldry required. Still, 'twas an honor bestowed by an honorable king whom they both esteemed, and so, rather than rolling their eyes, they bowed their heads to honor the Knight Commander's tidings and constructed smiles to grace their lips.

Now the procession west rode 'cross the lands of Eriador, following the East-West Road. They crossed the juncture with the North Road that led to Fornost on the day they departed from Bree. The East-West Road curved north and then west, so to bypass the Old Forest and the Barrow-Downs 'nigh the ruins of Cardol. After some fifteen leagues, they crossed the Baranduin o'er an old stone bridge upon the 29th, entering into a rich farmland of rolling hills and meandering streams that continued on for thirty leagues, ere it reached the White Downs. An ancient town 'nigh the foot of the downs offered a respite from camping at a small and rustic inn, and there the company spent the night of 3 Narbeleth. On the 4th they crossed the White Downs, still following the Road west, and finally making the Far Downs in the evening of the 5th. Two days later, they reached the Emyn Beraid and spent the night of 7 Narbeleth, (October 7th), at a barracks of the Army of Arthedain amidst the White Towers and 'nigh Elostirion.

Helluin and Beinvír had not visited the White Towers since their brief visit in 1448 whilst seeking clues to Lainiel's identity. At that time they had but asked tidings of the captain of the Arthedain guard posted there, and of the Sindarin contingent sent by Círdan as a rotating deployment from the Grey Havens. None had known 'aught of a slaughtered family, and the King's Custodian of the Palantír they had not encountered.

Now on the morning of the 8th the company set out, but as they passed Elostirion, the King's Custodian came forth and met them briefly. Though 'nigh on a century and a quarter had passed, both ellith recognized him instantly.

"Mae govannen, mellon nín, 'tis good to know thou came safely back from the battle," Helluin said.

The aging Dúnadan smiled at them and said, "ne'er have I been so happy to take my leave of a place, and indeed 'twas not 'til I had ridden far down the North Road that my heartbeat returned to normal. I am no warrior, but 'twas my duty to fulfill my lord's orders. I was very glad to learn that ye too had survived, and later, when I returned to this duty," and here he leant close and whispered, "to find the palantír safely returned."

Then Helluin captured his eyes and said to him in silence, I wish thou could have seen the Witch King's growing terror as he beheld my memory of rank upon phantasmal rank of Gil-galad's army marching to war upon Dagorlad. He doubted not for a moment that they existed and sought to oppose him, stupid wraith. He fled ere coming to battle, and as his courage fled, so too did his army. 'Twas touch and go for a while, but the ranks of Carn Dûm broke and the allies won the field. Without thy most timely aid, my friend, Fornost would have been besieged that night. E'er thou hast my thanks, for thy courage helped achieve that victory which all the arms of the realm could not.

The Noldo released the Man with a blink and he took a deep breath ere bowing his head to her in thanks. In 1409 I served my king and saved my country, and for one who has ne'er borne a sword, I deem 'twas a good night's work, he thought to himself, a smile growing on his face as he withdrew and stood aside to watch the knights and the cart pass.

I deem he shalt ne'er know that the palantír played no role in thy terrorizing of the Witch King, meldanya, the Green Elf chided silently, eye to eye.

Helluin groaned. In the end, she had filched the memory of Gil-Galad's army from Elrond rather than using the Seeing Stone, and the custodian's mission had been for 'naught.

His jeopardy in coming to the battle was quite real, the Noldo reasoned, and so whyfor should he not feel pride in conquering his fears and achieving his king's will?

'Twas hardly his king's will, the Green Elf said with a grin, for I wager that Araphor recalls 'naught of it.

Indeed not, and therefore he hath earned no guilt for sending his custodian into needless danger, Helluin replied with a chuckle.

At that assertion, the Green Elf could but roll her eyes ere she too giggled, recalling with perfect clarity Helluin's enchantment of the king and his mindless agreeability after.

Behind their escort of Knights of Arthedain, the funeral procession took the Elven Road that wound through the Tower Hills and into the flatter land that sloped down to the Firth of Lune. Forty miles that way led, and in the morning of 10 Narbeleth, the company rode into Mithlond.

'Twas long custom from the days of Westernesse that the havens upon the eastern shore were shared with Men, and thither were berthed such craft as comprised the Royal Navy of Arthedain. Now despite the preeminent sea power of their predecessors in Númenor in an Age before, it had been long since the Dúnedain of the north had been a maritime force, thus the King's Navy consisted of a heavy frigate, a tri-masted, square-rigged sloop of war, a two-masted schooner, and two cutters, one of which had historically served as the king's conveyance upon the River Lhûn, on those occasions when he had traveled by water from Annúminas to Lindon.

The procession passed before the curious stares of Men and Elves, for these marked that 'twas obviously the funeral procession of some dignitary, yet none recognized the heraldry displayed. Indeed those most versed in lore were the most confounded, for both Elves and Knights of Arthedain accompanied the deceased, whilst the sigil was both very old and distinctly Mannish in feel. The company rode down to the street that was fronted by the quay, and coming thither they were met by a deputation of Sindar and their lord, Círdan the Shipwright.

Such a formal welcome was unexpected by the two ellith, but had been anticipated by the Knight Commander, who dismounted and bowed to the Lord of the Havens.

"Lord Círdan, His Grace King Araphor has charged me to express his thanks for thy continued favor and thy succor of the Dúnedain," Haldan said. "Today we come to bear the daughter of Baragund 'cross the sea to the lands of her birth."

"Alas, I knew the First House only through their descendants, Tuor and Eärendil when they dwelt at the Mouths of Sirion, and the Lord Elrond after," the ancient Sinda replied. "In these latter days, few art the opportunities to do them honor. Providing haven for thy ships, and now, aiding in the disposition of Lady Dúrrél's family art two such."

Then the Lord of the Havens turned to his old friends, Helluin and Beinvír, and said, "if 'aught augurs well for this voyage, 'tis your presence. Helluin, long has been thine aid to the First House and the kindred of Men, and I deem thy finding of Lady Lainiel no accident, for hast thou not been twice aforetime called to serve by the Lord Ulmo?"

Helluin bowed to her old friend, and said, "aye, I have been called aforetime and feel myself called again now. Indeed I was called to service also by the Lords Húrin and Huor ere their passing in battle. I deem the finding of Lainiel and the conveyance of Lady Dúrrél a part of their charge to me."

Thou sailed to Tol Morwen to recover Anglachél for the house of Húrin, and fought at Avernien for the House of Huor, and now thou hast served the House of Baragund again, and well, if the words of Iarwain art to be heeded, he said to her silently, eye to eye.

For all the blood they shed in our cause long ago, we shalt e'er be indebted, or so I deem it, she replied.

Too thou gave thy flesh and blood to the House of Elros, he mused, a compensation of their deaths with many lives of kings.

That at least was not unpleasant, she replied with a grin, and her old friend laughed aloud.

"Go with my hopes and blessings, my friends," he said to the company, "and may the Lords Ulmo and Össe and the Lady Uinen bring ye fair sailing."

Then, having added the representatives of the Sindar to their procession, the company made their way in silence, down the quay at a solemn pace. They reached the sloop of war, marking her name, Núra Lúne Eari in gold leaf upon the bow just aft of the forepeak, which bore a carved figurehead of Ulmo.

At the head of the gangplank stood her captain with his officers, whilst sailors and marines of Arthedain lined the railings. Helluin and Beinvír and the Knights of Arthedain dismounted and offered the captain a bow.

To Be Continued