In An Age Before – Part 161
Chapter One Hundred-seven
Eriador and Khazad-dûm – The Third Age of the Sun
The following morn dawned with bright sun, warming temperatures, and the arrival of another messenger, late for the council, but welcomed ne'ertheless. The Eagle circled as he descended from the Hithaeglir, and then glided in to settle on the east porch, right outside the windows of the Lord Elrond's study. He rapped sharply upon the panes with his beak to call forth the Peredhel ere he proceeded to preening his feathers. Straight away the Lord of the Hidden Valley and the lord's counselor, Erestor attended him. Tidings were shared and then the great bird was invited to break his fast. A gallon of water and two butcher's stones¹ of venison sausage he consumed ere he took an awkward running leap from the porch and flapped frantically to gain altitude. With much effort, (and the unfortunate streaking of a gazebo in the rhododendron garden to lighten his load), the Eagle managed to reach a safe height as the land fell away to the Bruinen, finally returning to the high airs to continue his watch o'er Rhovanion. ¹(a butcher's stone = 8 pounds)
Within the hour, the pealing of the summoning bell was heard, unexpectedly this time, rousting forth the guests from their breakfasts, or in Helluin and Beinvír's case, from a pleasant walk in the spring flowering vine garden on the south side of the Great Hall.
"Huh, I had thought all the council's business was done yesterday," Helluin said.
"I wonder if 'aught has changed since then," the Green Elf replied. She sighed softly. "The wisteria, climbing roses, and pink trumpet were particularly lovely…ahhh well."
The two ellith joined the gathering visitors in the circle of seats, same as aforetime. None waiting there seemed to know what went forth or why they had been summoned, and this whelped an undercurrent of muttering. When all had arrived and settled, the Lord Elrond silenced them with a glance and spoke.
"My friends, I apologize for summoning you hither so early, yet I have received grave tidings not an hour past, and I deemed them urgent enough to present without delay. Word has come to me regarding the threat long foreseen in Rhovanion. 'Tis the Wainriders. They have begun their invasion of the lands north of the Sea of Rhûn, crossing Celduin to threaten Dorwinion."
His words led to an uproar. Particularly, Beragil, the Knight of Gondor and his squire leapt up from their seats to announce their intent to take their leave within the hour and return to the South Kingdom with the greatest haste. It seemed that all the others had at least something to say, all at the same time, with none waiting on a reply.
Catching Elrond's eye 'cross the circle, Helluin said silently, I wager t'will be some time ere the Men of Gondor cease to recall the drama of thy councils, meldir nín.
The Peredhel groaned and replied, a bit more subtle I should have been, I suppose.
Expecting a connection 'twixt the east and the north as we now do, would it not be prudent to expect that Angmar musters against Arthedain as well? Helluin asked.
Aye, 'tis, and I should not be surprised to learn 'tis just so, Elrond answered. The campaigning season is upon us, and with it, war.
"My lord Calmar," the Peredhel called out o'er the chaos, garnering thus the attention of the emissary from Fornost. "If thy party can plan to leave upon the morrow, ye shall be accompanied by five hundred knights of Imladris."
"And shortly thereafter, ye shall be joined by a force from Lindon as well," Galdor added. "I return to Mithlond at once."
Helluin and Beinvír watched as the Sinda rose, bowed to his host, and departed straight away. They were honestly surprised at how literally he had acted upon his declaration.
The council dissolved thereafter, the Knight of Gondor excusing himself to prepare for his ride to the South Kingdom. Calmar and the embassy from Fornost agreed to leave the Hidden Valley with Elrond and his knights. Helluin and Beinvír looked to each other and spoke in silence, eye to eye.
I deem thou shalt ride to Fornost with Elrond's company? The Green Elf asked, just to be sure.
Aye, and ride I shall, since Elrond mentioned 'naught of bringing infantry. I wager that with all haste, we shall still arrive with but scant time to spare, Helluin replied.
Then I too shall take my leave on the morrow, for there will be 'naught to keep me hither once thou hast gone.
Dalâl too shall have no reason to tarry once all others have ridden to war. I shall feel better knowing thou hast company upon thy road, though I still hate the necessity of our separation, Helluin said, her concern evident in the gritting of her teeth.
Helluin, I shall travel through lands long controlled by my people, lands deemed cursed by the enemy since the last Age. I go to the strongest fastness in Middle Earth, in the company of friends and allies. I shall fear rather for thee, traveling towards the might of Angmar with 'naught but five hundred knights of Imladris as a bodyguard. The Green Elf softened her words with a grin, prompting a grin from her partner in return.
As aforetime ere the Siege of Osgiliath, thou hast set my heart at ease with thy wisdom and thy humor, beloved. Yet even were thou to be accompanied by the full muster of the Laiquendi, still would I worry for thy safety, for my own heart demands no less. I love thee, now and fore'er, and my concern for thee I cannot set aside. Still, I trust thy wisdom, and so I shall await thee and meet thee with joyous thanksgiving when we are again reunited.
And I shall worry for thee, my love, despite the fate decreed by a meddlesome Eagle long ago, for my own heart demands the like. I love thee with all my heart and I shall await thee 'til the end of days, and then with joy, greet thee upon the Hither Shores, or the Blessed Shores 'cross the sea.
Now upon 20 Gwirith, Beinvír reluctantly parted from Helluin in Imladris and accompanied Dalâl back to Khazad-dûm. They crossed the Ford of Bruinen, but then turned south rather than making for the road through Rhudaur towards the Last Bridge. 'Twas the same route the Naugrim had used when joining campaigns with the Green Elves and the Rangers from Celenhár, back when they had fought together to reclaim Rhudaur from the remaining servants of Angmar in the years of the kings Galor and Galion. Ere they had come two furlongs, the ground trembled and they heard the thunder of hooves as the cavalry of the Hidden Valley took the East Road to Fornost and war.
The Elf and the Dwarf continued south through Hollin, which appeared deserted, though Beinvír felt the presence of many shadowing their march. To this, Dalâl was utterly oblivious, for while 'twas known amongst his people that those lands were 'neath the protection of the Laiquendi, the Elves were so rarely seen that most deemed Eregion abandoned.
Now after a march of five days, they came 'nigh Hollin Ridge. To Beinvír's shock, they were met there by Dálindir, Tórferedir, Gérorn, and Celegaras, with whom she and Helluin had been parted not a fortnight past. More astonishing still, the landscape seemed to twitch as several hundreds of the Laiquendi moved thereabouts with varying degrees of stealth. 'Twas a muster they had walked into, unexpected by either of them, for the signal announcing it had been given whilst they had been isolated in Imladris. Dalâl stood silent, staring all 'round with wide eyes. Though his people knew that the Laiquendi must number in the tens of thousands at least, they had ne'er seen more than a few dozen at any one time.
Beinvír bowed to her king and he greeted her with a smile and a nod. Likewise, his company met her with smiles and words of welcome.
"Dálindir, my friends, 'tis an unexpected joy to meet you," she said. "Allow me to introduce Dalâl, son of Thakâl, First Lieutenant of the Third Black Company of Khazad-dûm. We return to Hadhodrond with tidings from the council of Elrond Peredhel for King Durin VI, and I come at his request to offer counsel whilst Helluin marches to war in Arthedain. Dalâl, I am honored to introduce our king, Dálindir son of Denethor, his guardian, Gérorn, our general, Tórferedir, and our master scout, Celegaras."
The Dwarf's eyes got even larger, knowing now in whose presence he stood. Of habit, he accorded Dálindir the same obeisance he would have extended to his own king, Durin. Dalâl placed his right hand o'er his heart and bowed so low that his beard was draped on the ground. After a heartbeat thus, he rose to a posture of rigid military attention and said, "'tis my privilege and honor to greet thee, Your Highness. I offer the gratitude of my king and my people for thy peoples' aid through years uncounted in the fight against the forces of darkness."
Though in circumstances less grave the Green Elves would have snickered or rolled their eyes at what they considered such o'er done solemnity, Dálindir showed the restraint and dignity of a true king. He returned the Dwarf's bow and then offered what he hoped were acceptable words of courtesy.
"'Tis our pleasure to greet thee, O noble warrior and ally. We too give thanks to thee and thy people for their unwavering opposition of the darkness through the long Ages of this World. I pray thee bear hence our sentiments to His Highness King Durin."
With a quick glance to Beinvír, Dálindir silently asked, think thou that such words art sufficient? As thou know, I am less than well practiced at diplomacy.
'Twas well done, my lord, and quite appropriate. I deem this meeting shall become a page of lore in Khazad-dûm.
Thank the Valar…t'would have been a shame to start a war with a misplaced phrase.
The king winked at his subject and the hint of a grin shaped his lips.
"So thou art bound for the West Door upon Sirannon?" He asked.
"Aye, my lord, and so I must plead diplomacy for to be excused from thy muster," Beinvír replied, straight-faced.
The king nodded his indulgence to his subject, but Tórferedir said, "I should excuse thee for to dispense with the possibility of such unpleasantness as occurred the last time thou was't threatened with constraint to service in time of war."
That muster had been just ere the War of the Elves and Sauron, in 1695 of the Second Age. It had been Tórferedir's first meeting with Helluin, and it had not gone well. He offered her a grin, for the relationship 'twixt the Green Elves and the Black Exile had grown far more cordial since. Beinvír returned his smile and said, "we owe thee a dinner of roasted pheasant at our next meeting, meldir nín."
Knowing she would not ask an accounting of him, the king said, "we muster to the aid of Arthedain, for we have learnt of the stance of Angmar and their impending march ere the end of the month. Our companies already further west are en route as we speak, to harry the invasion force ere the Noldor and the Dúnedain can take the field. The Witch King shall find e'ery mile from Carn Dûm won only with bloodshed."
His declaration brought a smile and a grunt of approval from Dalál, and he smote the ground with the butt spike of his long-hafted double axe.
"I should also caution you on your march south. Gwilolrán commands a company that defends the foot of the Caradhras Pass, for we have had word of Yrch seeking to enter Eriador o'er the mountains," Tórferedir said, as much to Dalâl as to Beinvír. The foot of the pass 'twixt Caradhras and Celebdil lay but seven leagues north of the Ennyn Durin.
"If these tidings have not yet been heard in Khazad-dûm, I shall bear them hence, and I shall beseech my captain to send forth a company to reinforce our allies," Dalâl declared, dipping his head to the king. "The Pass is all too close to our West Door, and ne'er shall we suffer Yrch to use it uncontested."
"We thank thee for whatsoe'er aid thy people can give," Dálindir said, dipping his head to the warrior in return. 'Twas 24 Gwirith.
Now Beinvír and Dalâl took their leave of Hollin Ridge and marched quickly south towards the Sirannon. 'Round noon on the third day, they came 'nigh the foot of the Redhorn Pass. There they found a battle in progress. They heard the yells and screams and curses of Yrch, but also the whizzing of arrows, the twang of bow strings, and the clash of arms. It soon became obvious that the Naugrim did indeed know of the incursion of their hereditary enemies, and had marshaled to the relief of the Laiquendi.
They saw that the ground leading down from the pass was littered with ragged bodies, and both travelers were astonished at their count. Upslope stood a mass of soldiers from Khazad-dûm, and they held a front 'cross the narrow valley into which the pass emptied. There they engaged the foremost of a long column of Orkish soldiery in a heated, hand-to-hand battle. But from either slope, from behind boulders and the boles of pines, came arrows fired into the melee with deadly precision, felling Yrch at the front, and constraining the column behind from attempting any flanking movements. 'Twas hard to discern whether more had been slain by arrows or axes, but neither Beinvír, nor Dalâl doubted that a good-natured rivalry was being contested.
They were still watching when Gwilolrán popped up behind them, startling both to the point of a drawn arrow in Beinvír's bow and an axe held ready to swing by Dalâl.
"Mae govannen, millyn nín," he said, a broad smile upon his face, both hands held up and empty.
"Mae govannen, meldir nín,Gwilolrán," Beinvír said as she replaced her arrow. "How goes the defense?"
The lieutenant of the Laiquendi sighed as Dalâl eased his grip on the haft of his axe.
"They have not stayed their march even in daylight. 'Tis most uncharacteristic, and so we deem them in great haste, with loss of life being of no concern," he said, gesturing vaguely uphill as one would towards the sea or a foreign country. He shook his head and added, with a deferential nod to the Dwarf, "we and our most formidable allies have slain some six hundreds so far, and deem thrice that count still afoot."
"They are driven by a fear of worse than death," Beinvír said.
Gwilolrán nodded. Few could compel the Yrch with such a fear.
"They march to join the Witch King's assault upon Fornost, perhaps as a flanking force from the south," he agreed, "but we shall deny him that boon."
"The lands of Cardolan are deserted and no buffer stands 'twixt them and Arthedain," and then discerning a darker possibility, she added, "save perhaps The Shire, filled with peace-loving victims, and well 'nigh on their intended route to the north."
"That too may be their intent, to harvest battle rations from that living larder, and that too we shall deny them."
Gwilolrán looked about, but finding not the object of his search, asked, "has not the Mórgolodh accompanied thee hither?"
"Nay, she hath not," Beinvír answered. "Helluin rode from Imladris with Elrond's knights, eight days past. I deem she may already be in Fornost."
They exchanged some further tidings with Gwilolrán and then took their leave. Three hours later they completed their march, joining Sirannon and climbing the Gate Stairs up to the final segment of road leading to the Ennyn Durin. There they were admitted to Khazad-dûm. 'Twas 27 Gwirith.
Now upon 20 Gwirith the cavalry of Imladris rode from the Hidden Valley, bound for Fornost Erain. They crossed the Ford of Bruinen and then took the East Road through Rhudaur. Following the Great Plague of 1636, the population of Rhudaur had remained concentrated where they had found sanctuary in The Angle, and particularly in its southern precincts. There, farmers, tradesmen, and herders quietly passed the years in many a town and hamlet, insular, obscure, and indeed largely forgotten. 'Twas not as if the locale had e'er been a center for anything, whether culture, commerce, resources, or the military. During those years, 'twas little in The Angle that any outside of it wanted.
Two days ride brought the knights to the Last Bridge o'er Mitheithel. They crossed it in the late afternoon, then pressed on a league into the flatter lands 'twixt Rhudaur and Cardolan ere they set their second camp. That night, as sentries paced and Ithil crossed the sky, one in that camp felt the presence of some she had learnt to sense, and with stealth slipped away from the army to meet those of whom the other Noldor were ignorant. Even with her heightened awareness, they found her first.
"Mórgolodh, 'tis good to meet thee," a soft voice said from but a few feet away.
"Mae govannen, watcher of the Laiquendi, how stands the foe in thy lands?"
"Twenty thousands have deployed from Carn Dûm, and they shall pass from the plains of Angmar within seven days. We deem them another three days march from the North Downs 'nigh Fornost. I bid thee hasten thither."
"Thy tidings I shall convey to the Lord Elrond. Dost thou engage with the enemy?"
"Aye, we harry their march and shall continue to hound them ere the battle is joined." After a short pause, the voice added, "we give thanks for thy aid, Mórgolodh, especially against the Witch King."
"And all the north gives thanks for thy peoples' vigilance, and for their stance against the Enemy," Helluin said.
"Beltho huiniath," the voice whispered, and then the presence was gone.
Helluin returned to the camp and straight away came to the Lord Elrond. There she reported what she had learnt from the Green Elves, and so the invasion of Arthedain was confirmed. In the morning, Calmar and the embassy from King Araval were informed, and thereafter they all rode with greater haste. The Peredhel's wisdom in bringing only cavalry was apparent, for a marching column of infantry would have been left far behind.
In the afternoon of 23 Gwirith, the Noldor passed the ruins of Amon Sûl, and one of the Dúnedain was dispatched to proffer tidings to the garrison commander there. He caught up with the knights that evening, having ridden hard to reach their camp in the first hour of darkness. As he tended his horse, a messenger from Amon Sûl galloped past on his way to Fornost. On the 25th, the cavalry encamped at the crossroads where the East Road met the North Road to the Northern Fortress.
Helluin deemed that they would reach the capital on the evening of the 27th, a single day ere the Witch King's army entered the North Downs. T'would be a close thing, but time seemed to be on their side, for they would arrive three days ere the enemy could offer battle. In the meantime, the forces of Angmar would endure deadly arrows, fired from no certain source, but with unnatural precision. And those killings would not be redressed. Tindomul would ne'er tarry to indulge his slaves' vengeance, dispensable mortal meat that they were.
The mounted Noldor reached the gates of Fornost Erain in the late afternoon of 27 Gwirith, and there they were welcomed by the king's soldiers. Araval met with Elrond and they took counsel together regarding the coming war. Word had reached him by messenger from Amon Sûl the day before, confirming the pending invasion by Angmar. Scouts had been sent out that morning, but they had not reported back and this was deemed good, for it meant that the enemy was not yet so close as to make the mission a tale of hours rather than days.
That evening, as twilight dimmed the landscape, Helluin slipped out of the fortress and went northeast through the downs, seeking for allies and fresh tidings. She had no expectation of finding even advanced companies or scouts of the enemy, for the North Downs ran one hundred miles from Fornost ere they failed at the Plains of Angmar. Rather, she sought for companies of Green Elves tasked as observers of the defenders' preparations, and so she went forward with stealth only sufficient to confound mortal eyes. She did eventually find the Laiquendi, though it took her 'til 'nigh midnight and she reckoned that she had passed many in her ignorance.
A company of five Green Elves had concealed themselves atop a down where they had a good view of the bottomlands to either side. To their south lay the flatter terrain leading south to Bree, and further east, to the Weather Hills. To their north rose the second row of the North Downs, the trough 'twixt them a preferred route for invasion that offered concealment from patrols in the flat lands. They had marked the advance of the scouting party from Fornost that afternoon, and with more difficulty, they marked Helluin. The soft clucking of a tongue drew her attention, and she climbed the steep face of the down to join them.
"Helluin en Mórgolodh, mae govannen. Non Brethil¹," an ellon whispered. ¹(Helluin en Mórgolodh, mae govannen.Non Brethil = Helluin the Black Exile, well met. I am Brethil(Birch tree) Sindarin)
"Mae govannen, mellon Brethil, hast thou tidings of the enemy?" Helluin asked.
"Aye. Their advance has been as predicted. They encamped yesterday a night's march from the most easterly of the North Downs. We make their compliment some nineteen thousands of Yrch and Hill Men of the North, long in servitude to the Shadow. We have also marked two score Stone Trolls that hide during the day and march with the rest of the army at night."
"Thou reckon they shall reach the downs ere morning then?"
"Aye, just so. Yet once amidst the downs they shall encounter increased resistance. I deem another one and one-half thousands shall fall ere they come 'nigh Fornost three nights hence."
"My thanks for thy tidings, mellon Brethil. I shall report them to King Araval."
"One thing further, Mórgolodh. Word has been passed of Advisor Galdor's return to the Havens and the subsequent mustering of many Sindar in Lindon."
"Such aid shall be very welcome. Again, my thanks for thy tidings."
Helluin took her leave of the Laiquendi and returned in haste to Fornost. Upon her arrival, in the third hour past midnight, she sought for the Lord Elrond, and together they went to beg an audience with King Araval. He met them in a small withdrawing chamber 'nigh the throne room, his face still damp from a laving in cold water.
"Our apologies for disturbing thee at this late hour, Your Grace. We deemed our tidings sufficiently grave to wait not upon the dawn," Elrond said.
"Bah," Araval said, waving a hand in dismissal whilst stifling a yawn, "war waits on no Man. I pray ye, tell me what you have heard."
"Lord, word has come from the Laiquendi of Eriador that on this night the army of Angmar shall reach the easternmost of the North Downs. They number nineteen thousands of Yrch and Hill Men, and are accompanied by forty Trolls. They shall reach Fornost three nights hence," Helluin reported. "I deem they shall offer battle the night after."
King Araval received her tidings with a nod and closed his eyes a moment in thought.
"Four nights…they have traveled only by night thus far?" He asked.
"Aye, cousin," Elrond answered, "and such is preferred for marches amongst the Yrch who detest Anor's light, but 'tis required by the Tor, to whom such light is deadly."
"I am tempted to send forth sorties to assail their camps during the daylight," the king said. "Think ye that such counsel could prove sound?"
"Perhaps in the day after the last night of their march, O king," Helluin said, "for I would not send forth sorties that could not return to Fornost ere nightfall. Whilst such sorties might reduce their numbers by some hundreds, t'would not be worth the loss of many Men. Also, the advance of Angmar is subject to continuing assault by the Green Elves, who shoot them from concealment by day and night. Indeed they have done so since the foe left Carn Dûm, and have already slain 'nigh a thousand. They claim another one and one-half thousands will fall ere they come to Fornost."
"Think ye that aid shall come from Lindon?" Araval asked.
"'Tis known that Galdor reached Mithlond, and that the Sindar muster in Lindon," Helluin said. "I deem that they shall reach Fornost no earlier than one week hence with nine or ten days more likely."
Again the king contemplated the situation in silence, a forefinger and thumb pinching the bridge of his nose. Then he opened his eyes and there was a fierce light in them, for his strategy was decided.
"Two nights hence we muster in Fornost, and two hours ere daybreak we ride out, cavalry only. We shall waylay their day camp and take such toll of the Yrch and Men as can be had, whilst Anor spares us from the Tor. When night falls, we shall withdraw southwest beyond the downs and set a camp, and ere first light, ride out to assail them again. That night we shall withdraw to the fortress and seal the doors, leaving the archers and artillery to engage the enemy through the night."
"What then of the reinforcements from Lindon?" Elrond asked.
"We may be forced to withstand a siege of a week, but upon their arrival, we shall march forth to meet the foe with our full strength gathered," Araval declared.
"And what of the Witch King?"
"Tindomul, bah. I will deal with him when we meet upon the field," Helluin said, a glint of battlefire flickering in her eyes.
To Be Continued