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.

151. In An Age Before Chapter 151

In An Age Before – Part 151

Chapter One Hundred-one

Belegaer, Cardolan, and Rhudaur – The Third Age of the Sun

'Twas a great joy to Captain Gwávílron, that upon their sail back to Mithlond the winds blew fair, the weather held fine, and the sea remained calm throughout. Much as it did upon their voyage in the 2nd Age with my ancestor, Captain Mórfang, he thought. Yet I must wonder, art we indeed so especially blessed now, or hath it oft been so, and I, not looking to 'aught beyond the natural world, simply remained blind to it?

Upon 19 Narbeleth, Núra Lúne Eari rode up the firth to her homeport and slowed to her berth at the quay. Lines were tied off and the gangplank lowered into place. The flag of Mithlond again flew from the jackstaff at the bowsprit, and a sailor climbed aloft to retrieve the pennant of the House of Baragund from the mainmast head. This the captain returned to Helluin ere he bid the two ellith farewell. Then to his cabin he repaired, to consult his logs and draft an official report that a messenger would carry to Fornost with haste, there to enrich the lore of the realm of Arthedain and complete his mission.

Helluin and Beinvír debarked carrying 'naught but their travel bags and the pennant, and they first found an inn where they consumed a hearty meal in the common room. Then to the stables they went to recover their horse and cart, for they had many miles to ride ere their own mission was complete.

Now the two ellith came to the stables, and after compensating the ostler for the care of their horse and the storage of their cart, they took their leave of Mithlond. Despite the cart being lighter, for now it carried no cargo, they maintained a leisurely walking pace and Wiley the horse seemed thankful, for he exhibited 'naught of the willfulness or contrary nature of one deeming themself ill used.

On the 21st they reached the Tower Hills, and after enjoying the evening meal in Elostirion with the King's Custodian of the Palantír, they again took a night's rest at the barracks of the Tower Guard of Arthedain.

"Welcome back to Eriador, my friends," the custodian said. "Was your voyage successful?"

"Aye, 'twas indeed," Helluin said. "All proceeded as smoothly as we could have hoped."

"The Lady Dúrrél's family rests now in their ancestral home," Beinvír added.

"We laid them in the ground amidst a ruined settlement of the First House, which we found straight away," Helluin said, to the custodian's growing astonishment.

"Indeed we found tokens amidst the rubble," the Green Elf added, "the emblems of Bregor and Finrod Felagund."

"'Twas the home of the Lord of Ladros then?" The custodian asked.

"Perhaps, though none can truly know for sure," Helluin said. "Yet I deem it a far better resting place than the unmarked graves 'nigh the Road in Cardolan."

To this the custodian nodded gravely in agreement.

"I am sure their spirits art thankful," he said, "for now both they and their lands art at peace, though it hath taken an Age."

They set out again in the morn of the 22nd, retracing their route 'cross central Eriador upon the West Road, passing the Far Downs, the White Downs, and crossing Baranduin on the 29th. They had marked a wintery chill in the air, yet they were blessed thus far with a lack of snow. 1 Hithui, (November 1st), saw them reaching the same inn in Bree where they had aforetime met the king's messenger, Belegor. The innkeeper was glad to have their business, for fewer traveled in this season. The ostler seemed happy to see them again as well, and Wiley the horse was happy with his warm stall, his dry hay, his oats, and the apple slices offered to him by the stable hand, a Perian named Bickle Broadfoot.

After breaking their fast in the common room the next morn, Helluin and Beinvír returned to the East Road on the 2nd. By the evening of the 4th they were greeting the captain of the garrison at the ruins of Amon Sûl, and there they spent the night. The soldiers of Arthedain were eager to hear their tale, for therein they found a connection with their heroic ancestors of two Ages past. In gratitude they plied Helluin and Beinvír with choice rations and much wine. Wiley had the fellowship of the cavalry mounts and spent the night in good company.

On the 5th the two ellith returned to the road, and having no need to stop at the gravesite, found a more direct track southeast so that they arrived at Húngan's mansion in the late afternoon of 7 Hithui, just as a light snowfall commenced.

Lord Rochen and Lady Calien greeted them warmly, and they spent the hours ere the evening meal sitting in the front parlor, reporting on their voyage. There was much to tell and much to describe, for neither the lord, nor the lady had e'er been to Mithlond, seen the White Towers, sailed aboard a ship, or met Lord Círdan. They had certainly ne'er been to Tol Fuin. Indeed, no one in Cardolan had. And so, ere Helluin and Beinvír had been long at their tale, most of the regent's household, and those Rangers stationed at the mansion, had gathered to hear 'aught that they would tell. That tale was all the more poignant for their having known the Lady Lainiel.

"We found the land of Ladros chill, as 'twas expected to be at this season, and I deem 'tis more subject to the north winds since the Whelming of Beleriand," Helluin said. "In these latter days, 'naught hampers the passage of those winds o'er Belegaer, neither the Ered Engrin, nor the peaks of Thangorodrim. Neither does the heat of the lands of Anfauglith moderate the chill."

"'Twas a much folded land reminiscent of the eastern uplands 'nigh Imladris, or the Troll Shaws north of the East Road and the Angle, save that they were taller still," Beinvír added. "We sought not the interior, for t'would have been a tiresome march, down through ghylls and up o'er ridges."

"Aye, many steep slopes clad in pine there were, and ne'er a path or a track to be found," Helluin said. "We saw 'naught of Man or beast, nor heard the songs of birds. 'Twas a land long forsaken and fit only for wights."

"Yet it once hosted many," the Green Elf said, "for we laid the lady and her family to rest amidst a ruined holding of the First House, in a high place that stands above the present coast. Perhaps it once o'erlooked a fief in the broad valley that is now a cove."

"Would that I could have been present," Rochen said, the longing clear in his voice, "for sketches I could have produced, thereby to share this history with others."

Both Helluin and Beinvír clearly recalled that a lifetime ago he had sketched the signet ring of the House of Baragund, as well as his infant sister, on that first day when they had borne the orphaned babe to the mansion of their old friend Húngan, the late Regent of Cardolan. Rochen had been eight years of age and already an accomplished draughtsman.

"T'would have been difficult to produce a detailed work in the time we spent thither," Helluin said, "especially with all else that was required, for we had no intention of spending the night."

Their host rose from his seat and begged their indulgence, "a moment, I pray thee."

He took his leave of the parlor for a short time ere he returned with a large volume of many unbound folio¹ pages. This he opened upon a table and bid the two ellith view the drawings within. ¹(a folio is a standard paper size designation, in modern measures, 12 inches x 19 inches, which preserves the original Númenórean dimension of a half-ranga in its long side. The Númenórean ranga was equal to 38 inches. The short side of a folio sheet originally measured 14.5 inches, or a quarter-ranga. The modern folio size is a hybrid of the ancient and later English measuring systems.)

Upon the open page were attached the drawings of the signet ring and the baby Lainiel, and these appeared unchanged to their eyes after eighty-six years. To their surprise, there too were the portraits that he had produced of them, which they had ne'er seen aforetime. They were obviously the products of an acute recall.

"Early on I learnt to render from memory 'aught which I had seen," he explained.

"And from memory then thou could render a scene of the landscape of the burial site in Ladros?" Helluin asked. To this the regent nodded, 'yea'. "I can gift thee with new memories, Lord Rochen, which shalt then be as thine own, and from which perhaps thou shalt create thy images."

A smile shaped the lips of the regent and he nodded, 'yea' enthusiastically. For her part, the Noldo was curious that such a skill should be possible, knowing the fallibility of mortal memory.

"Look then into my eyes, meldir nín, and thou shalt see what I have seen."

Willingly Rochen looked into Helluin's eyes, and he was amazed that he had ne'er aforetime marked how deep and endless was that blue. Thither he was drawn, as into the summer sky o'er the rolling lands of Cardolan, when in his youth, whilst lying idle upon his back, he had sought for pictures amongst the clouds.

In the next moment it seemed he stood upon a high shelf of land 'neath the crown of a ridge, looking out o'er the dark waters of northern Belegaer. The sun seemed far and weak in the sky, and a chill wind blew in his face from the sea. Even he could smell the salt and the pines, whilst about him silence reigned save for the rustle of the flowering heathers about his feet.

He turned inland then, sweeping the scene by the grace of those eyes which had stood there. Some eight fathoms away a marine of Arthedain called with urgency, beckoning to the ship's captain, and Rochen found himself hastening towards him. There he saw a fallen stone, the apical fragment of an arch that had once crowned a doorway. Upon it was a great bow inscribed, and the emblem of Finrod, son of Finarfin, King of Nargothrond. He was astonished when he felt himself speak with Helluin's voice.

My lord captain, hither we find the emblem of Bregor, 2nd Lord of Ladros, for 'tis his bow displayed most prominent, and with it the heraldry of Findaráto Ingoldo, Finrod Felagund, first and greatest friend of Men. Whether 'tis indeed his keep, or the holding of a loyal vassal, none living may tell, yet Bregor was grandfather to Baragund, and hither we shalt lay to rest the Lady Dúrrél and her family.

In the short time that followed, the dark Noldo provided Rochen with a succession of vignettes encompassing the burial party's activities o'er the hours required to complete the interment of the Lady Dúrrél and her family. The final image being a glance back as the party took their leave; a view of the memorial stones grouped together with the lip of the shelf and the endless sea beyond, all 'neath the ambering light of the westering sun. Then with a blink Helluin released the regent, and he took a deep breath to steady himself as his senses suddenly reported the familiar surroundings of his parlor.

For some moments he sat still and silent, reviewing what he had seen, but when the Lady Calien came to him, he gave her a smile and reassured her of his well-being.

"Thou hast my thanks, Helluin, for of what thou hast shown me, many scenes shalt I render," he said, and after a pause added, "and to Fornost I shalt forward copies for the enrichment of my king's lore."

Throughout the remainder of the evening, and during the meal afterwards, the Lord Rochen struggled to contain his desire to rush off to his studio, thither to take pen in hand and begin his studies for the compositions of his works. Yet he remained a noble and proper host for the sake of his friendship with the two ellith, and his gratitude for Helluin's gift. When the meal was completed and the evening's social obligations met, he went forth to his studio, lighting lamps to banish the night's darkness, and thither he remained 'til morning drew 'nigh, lost to time and 'aught save the visions in his memory, which he found did not fade.

The morn of 8 Hithui found the Lord Rochen seated at the kitchen table when the household awoke. Already he had made himself a breakfast of eggs fried upon one side, with sliced ham and sharp cheese, all set 'twixt slabs of toast. He greeted his wife and the cook with a tired smile. When the two ellith came into the kitchen, he accosted them after they accepted the cook's offer of a morning meal, and led them to his studio. Thither, lying upon the worktables, were already many studies and the cartoons for a series of large drawings depicting the interment in six stages. These last works had been rendered with light charcoal lines upon sheets of heavy paper measuring a full ranga by a half-ranga.

Though many details and the colors would be applied later, already 'twas evident what the compositions would be. Helluin checked them against her memories and found the Lord Rochen's renderings shockingly accurate. Each figure stood in its proper place. The shapes of the land, the sense of space, and even the character of the vegetation were faithfully reproduced. Though indications of light and shadow were still lacking, the Noldo doubted not that those attributes would be correctly represented.

"I am greatly impressed, meldir nín," Helluin said, "for thou hast depicted all that I saw such that one coming thither would feel they had stood in that place aforetime. 'Tis remarkable, truly."

"Eagerly do we look to view thy finished works upon some future day," Beinvír added.

Lord Rochen basked in their praise, but also gave thought to the place they had been.

"Copies of these works I shalt send to Celenhár, to my sister's children, that they too can see from whence their line came."

Now thereafter the two ellith enjoyed a hearty breakfast of pan fried batter cakes and sausages, and then they gathered their belongings and made ready to take their leave, for other destinations they had ere their mission was complete. They bid Rochen and Calien farewell for that time, and in the mid-morning left the mansion and made their way north to the East Road. The snowfall of the day before had left a dusting of white, but no more, and though the air was chill, 'twas still and they were spared a biting wind. The weather held much the same on the 9th. When they came to the East Road on 10 Hithui, they turned east and made their way towards Rhudaur.

Helluin and Beinvír had not been long upon the road when they were hailed by a company of Cardolan Rangers patrolling their northern frontier. That company met the two ellith and greeted them as friends.

"We ride the border east to the Last Bridge," the company's sergeant said to Helluin, "and as t'would seem thou go the same way, we can offer thee ease in thy passage if thou would deign to ride double behind two of us."

A glance to the Green Elf was met with a subtle nod 'yea', and Helluin replied, "our thanks, noble sergeant of Cardolan. Thy offer we shalt accept with gladness."

Mounted, the walk of three days became a ride of one and a half, so that upon 12 Hithui they came to the Last Bridge. As if awaiting them there stood a company of Rhudaur Rangers, and these greeted the Rangers of Cardolan as friends long acquainted. Tidings of their realms were traded and the noon meal consumed ere the Cardolanath took their leave to ride their patrol back towards Amon Sûl, Bree, the juncture with the North Road to Fornost, and finally the Baranduin Bridge on the western border of their realm.

"Whither do ye journey, friends of old?" The sergeant of the Rhudaur Rangers asked.

"Indeed we make for Celenhár," Helluin answered, "to meet with Lord Galion and Lady Dúriel concerning the completion of our mission."

Through Dúriel's husband, the Ranger Captain Feredir, the nature of that mission was known to the Rangers of Rhudaur. The sergeant nodded gravely and repeated the offer of the Cardolan Rangers.

"If ye would have it so, then ye may ride with us, for our patrol covers the Road 'twixt Mitheithel and Bruinen. A day's march we could save ye to the inn. Thither perhaps ye shalt meet another patrol at the north end of their circuit 'round the Angle. T'would be our pleasure to convey ye hence."

He eyed the dark Noldo with a hopeful expression and Helluin nodded 'yea' to him, accepting his company's offer. Mounted once again, the two ellith spent the day riding to the inn that had been established at the north terminus of the track leading away south through the Angle. The time ahorse allowed them to think on how much had changed. Both compared their present ride with their travels ere Rhudaur had been reclaimed, when at any moment they might have been assailed by Hillmen.

That evening they spent at the inn, and 'twas scant surprise that they met another Ranger company in the common room. These had greeted and spoken with the Rangers of the Road patrol, who presented the two ellith to their comrades and spoke of their destination. 'Twas apparent that the patrols regularly met at the inn to trade reports and information, as they had aforetime at the border. Again Helluin and Beinvír were offered conveyance with a Ranger company, this time to Celenhár, where was the headquarters and garrison of the patrols on the Road and throughout the Angle. Again Helluin and Beinvír were happy to accept.

The Ranger company set out after breaking their fasts the next morn, that being 14 Hithui, and the two ellith found they would be riding in a wagon drawn by a two-horse team. Within the Angle were many hamlets and farmsteads long established, unlike the frontier settlements in the lands north of the Road that had been recently reclaimed. As a service to their people, the Rhudaur Rangers took it upon themselves to offer transport of messages and goods 'twixt settlements, so long as these were able to be carried in an open wagon and could survive the transport time, for a circuit of patrol was expected to take a week or more, depending upon the weather.

Now the patrol circuit of the Angle was ridden in a clockwise direction, beginning and ending at Celenhár, and following such cart tracks and dirt roads as connected the people. By joining the patrol at the inn, Helluin and Beinvír would be accompanying the Rangers on only the final leg of their circuit, or roughly a fifth part of the mileage.

The way was long familiar, and though they made several stops, 'twas no slower and far more pleasant than walking. They had companions on the road, with friendship and much good cheer. Many tales they shared, and the two ellith were celebrated for their accounts of faraway places and times long ago. At each stop along their way the people welcomed the Rangers into their homes, offering refreshments, seeking tidings, and giving thanks for such deliveries as they received. The company spent the night in the barn of one farmhouse, cooking their supper and warming themselves 'round a hearth kept for light blacksmithing. The next morning they were again on their way.

In the late morning of the 15th they entered a small hamlet with but a handful of buildings, and coming thither, one of the Rangers met with his family. Helluin and Beinvír saw his parents' relief at his continued safety, and their pride in his occupation. The visit was short, but being a family of bakers, the mother pressed into his hands a parcel of pastries which the company received with great anticipation. 'Twas obviously a scene oft repeated, yet it spoke of a land enjoying a hard won and long sought peace. The aspirations of those first three Men who had come to their aid wearing the tattered uniforms of soldiers of Rhudaur had borne fruit. By the sweat, blood, and labor of their hands, they had won back their land and gifted their people with the greatest blessing, freedom. Though none could know how long the renewed Kingdom of Rhudaur would stand, to those who lived in that time, 'twas a life far better than their grandfathers had endured 'neath the rule of Angmar, and none took it for granted.

'Twas late in the day, with evening falling and Anor sinking to the horizon, when the Rangers pulled their wagon into Celenhár. The column dissolved, the Men heading for their barracks and the evening mess, the wagon taken to the stables, and the sergeant, with Helluin and Beinvír, making his way to the town hall to report on the completion of his patrol.

Lord Galion and Lady Eirien met them, rising from their seats and coming down off the dais to clasp forearms with their guests in greeting. They first listened to the report of the sergeant regarding the status of those lands within his circuit, and having heard 'naught amiss, dismissed him to join his company for a day's rest ere his next patrol.

Now the lord and lady of Celenhár were very glad to receive their old friends, whom they had last seen taking their leave after Lady Lainiel's funeral on 30 Urui, (August 30th). 'Twas now the night of 15 Hithui, (November 15th), and two and one-half months had passed whilst Helluin and Beinvír discharged their mission.

"Greetings and welcome, my friends of old," Galion said, for he had known the two ellith all his life. "Let us adjourn to the kitchen. I have sent word of thy return to Dúriel and Feredir, and I wager they shalt join us shortly for the evening meal. Though we art eager to hear your tidings, I deem t'would be best to hear all at one telling after they arrive."

To this both ellith easily agreed, and the two couples retired from the public spaces for the more intimate rooms of their hosts' apartment at the rear of the town hall. In a spacious kitchen they settled in chairs 'round the large dining table, speaking of more mundane matters 'til Dúriel, Feredir, and their children, Beinvír, now age twenty, and Berthir, seventeen, joined them. 'Twas much love 'twixt the families, for the childless Lord and Lady of Celenhár had doted upon their niece and nephew as if they were their own. Their love was comfortably returned, as though Galion and Eirien were a second set of parents to the children, rather than uncle and aunt.

Tis a warm and close-knit family, Beinvír said silently to Helluin, whilst meeting her eye to eye. The First House prospers.

Indeed so, and it warms my heart to know that soon this family shalt increase, the Noldo replied.

The Green Elf nodded in agreement, a smile lighting her face, t'will be some seven and one-half months ere the Lady Eirien is a new mother. I wonder if they know yet?

I am sure that t'will become apparent soon enough, Helluin said with a straight face, if 'tis not already suspected after a moon cycle unmarked. I deem 'tis fortunate that the lady is a decade younger than her husband. Lord Galion was then forty-seven, whilst Lady Eirien was thirty-seven, having married at the age of twenty.

They were drawn from their silent conversation by the greetings of Lainiel's daughter and her family. Feredir, Beinvír, and Berthir clasped the forearms of their 'Auntie Elves' one after another, whilst Dúriel greeted them with hugs.

"We give thanks to the Valar for thy safe return," Lainiel's daughter said, her relief palpable. Having grown up ne'er seeing any water greater than the rivers Mitheithel and Bruinen, Belegaer was the source of a visceral fear.

"The sea has seldom been so tranquil," Beinvír said to comfort her, "and our passage to Tol Fuin was direct and untroubled, as was our return."

The younger people immediately clamored for the story, but Galion said, "take your seats now, for our dinner is ready, and such a tale should not be heard on an empty stomach."

With only modest groans, Beinvír and Berthir took seats 'twixt their parents, and all bowed their heads to observe the silence of thanksgiving. Thereafter Dúriel helped Eirien bring bowls and platters of food to the table, whilst a pitcher of cider was passed 'round and mugs were filled. Soon everyone was enjoying the fare and sating their appetites. In that warm and relaxed atmosphere, Helluin and Beinvír began their tale.

They told of taking their leave of Celenhár following Lainiel's funeral, and of holding counsel with the Lord Rochen in Cardolan. Then, with the caskets and memorial stones loaded on the cart, made their way north to exhume the bodies of the slaughtered family. The details of this most ghoulish aspect of their mission were glossed o'er by Helluin and Beinvír in favor of the camaraderie 'twixt the folk of the three realms, as displayed in their meetings with the soldiers at Amon Súl, the messenger and knights of Arthedain whom they had met in Bree, and many others encountered along the way.

Places distant and known aforetime only from story and song were given life in their descriptions, for none of these Rhudaurim had traveled in Arthedain. The Emyn Beraid and Mithlond were as settings from myths to them, real and yet not. That they held the friendship of the the Lord of the Havens and the King's Custodian of the Palantír were causes for amazement to Beinvír and Berthir. Their passage aboard Núra Lúne Eari was a cause of great wonder and no little trepidation, for the landlocked Rhudaurim had ne'er had 'aught to do with shipcraft or the sea. Yet they felt too a vague sense of pride, knowing from Helluin and Beinvír's descriptions somewhat of the expertise of the mariners. That mortal Men could attain a measure of mastery o'er the vastness of the oceans, to come and go as they willed upon the water, such audacious enterprise spoke highly of the human spirit.

Then the two ellith told of their sojourn upon Tol Fuin, and finding the ruined settlement linked to the heroic First House of Beleriand. And though the Edain of the First Age were not the ancestors of the Middle Men of Rhudaur, in this family they were indeed direct ancestors, their memory to be treasured as an inspiration for future days.

"Illustrating the burial site of the Lady Dúrrél and her slain family, there shalt come to thee some drawings made by Lord Rochen's hand, from memories I gifted to him of late," Helluin told them, "and therein ye shalt see this place as if ye had stood there."

This news was greeted with great joy by both families.

And the Green Elf added, "we have a token for thee, Lady Dúriel, which comes with honor from the Lord Araphor and the realm of Arthedain."

Then Helluin drew from her travel bag the pennant of the House of Baragund, and she presented it to Lainiel's daughter, saying, "though thy brother Galion is King of Eriador and Lord of Celenhár, thou art the elder child of the heiress of Dúrrél, and thou wear the signet ring of thy ancient house. Here then is the heraldry of the House of Baragund from whom ye all arise."

Dúriel accepted the pennant, and saw there the rendering of the design, identical to that upon the ring she bore, and marking an unfamiliar scent upon it, brought it to her nose and inhaled deeply.

"Thou smell the sea, m'lady, for this pennant flew atop the mainmast of the king's sloop of war, Núra Lúne Eari, and of it perhaps thou shalt find some comfort," Helluin told her.

It came to pass that from time to time o'er the following years, and especially after the drawings of the burial site were received from her Uncle Rochen the following spring, that the Lady Dúriel would sample again the scent of the sea upon that pennant, and with her growing familiarity of it came a lessening of her fear of Belegaer, which in life she would ne'er see.

And after telling their tale o'er the evening meal, the two ellith answered many questions and recited much lore, and enjoyed the company of their mortal friends. Yet after a fortnight had passed, they took their leave, for they were wanderers at heart and there were yet more friends with whom they would meet, though it had been many years. 'Twas then 29 Hithui, (November 29th), T.A. 1534.

To Be Continued