In An Age Before – Part 168
Elrond was glad to have found Helluin and even gladder that they would return to the Mortal Shores together, for alas, he knew not the way.
"Take my hand, meldir nín, and leave the rest to me," Helluin said.
The Peredhel took Helluin's hand and gritted his teeth in nervous anticipation. He was thankful for her experience in spirit travel, and yet more, to have found her surprisingly reasonable, rather than in a blind rage or suicidally depressed. At least 'twas so whilst they still lingered 'nigh the Void in Aman. The Lord of Imladris suspected that things might be different once they were gone from the House of Nienna.
Elrond's return to the Mortal Shores with Helluin was far more direct than his solo journey thither. All the intervening terrain seemed to flash past 'neath them in a gut-clenching parody of bird flight. Swifter than an Eagle, they flew o'er Aman. The pair shot past Valmar with its empty vats and dead trees. Tirion disappeared behind them in the blink of an eye, and then they were through the Calacirya as if fired from a bow. Tol Eressëa was barely a blur, and the ocean crossing went by in a darkening streak. A moment of blackness followed as they exploded from the Straight Road into the Mortal Realm, and then the Lord of Imladris gasped as his consciousness slammed back into his body headfirst. He recoiled and lay panting on the ground, startling the scouts.
Next to him, Helluin groaned and sat upright, her movement unnaturally abrupt. Not only had the crossing been jarring, but the return of the full measure of her emotions was far worse. She felt as if half her heart had been torn away. The Noldo clenched shut her eyes and gritted her teeth as she reeled 'neath the onslaught of her loss, grief, and a growing rage. And when she had finally mastered herself enough to cast her senses south towards Khazad-dûm and Lórinand, from nowhere was she answered. From nowhere did she sense Beinvír's presence.
Rage burned like dragon fire in the space where her heart had been, but better that than ice, she thought, though she knew that would come later. Her eyes snapped open and blue battle fire roiled from them. Her body shone with a ril of silver and gold. The scouts leapt back in terror.
In the Chamber of the Palantír at Fornost Erain, the Annúminas Stone flared to life and the custodian attended it whilst sending a messenger hastening to find the king. At first, he could only assume that the contact had been initiated by King Narmacil II in Gondor. He was shocked to silence when he found himself staring at the wrathful face of Helluin Maeg-mórmenel.
Speak thus to King Araval, she ordered without preamble. A host commanded by the Witch King marches 'neath a morgul of concealment, heading south to Fornost. I deem that two nights hence they shall attack.
In the next moment, the connection was severed and the palantír went dark. The king entered but moments later to find his custodian staring at the stone in horror.
Helluin came to her feet, and seeing the scouts cringing back and Elrond still lying indisposed on the ground, she bid them bear tidings of the host she had seen, and return to Fornost with the greatest haste after the Peredhel had recovered enough to ride. Then she walked to the horse that had borne her aforetime, and mounting, galloped off towards the trail left by Tindomul's soldiers.
Now Helluin picked up that host's trail from the trampled ground where the encampment had been, and she followed it through the dark with ease, for the Yrch in particular walked the earth with contempt, as if seeking with every stride to do some damage for spite's sake. Their way led 'nigh due south, and she deemed t'would skirt the western margin of the North Downs by some three leagues, enough distance for a measure of concealment ere they moved to attack. She knew sixty-seven miles lay 'twixt the previous day's camp and Fornost, and so the wraith would drive his host forward at a pace of 'round thirty miles each night, leaving but two leagues' march for the night of the battle.
In the darkness, Helluin drove her horse a mile ere slowing to a walk to rest the good beast. The horse had welcomed the ril of silver and gold that radiated from the Noldo's body, for it had aided in finding solid footing, but when they slowed after a mile, the Noldo extinguished her Light with effort. She was gritting her teeth as she seethed with wrath. 'Round that time she also met the three scouts sent to confirm the Witch King's path. They had assured themselves of the presence of a hostile host and were returning to the lead scout with their tidings.
"M'lady, we have already marked the enemy's track," the foremost rider said. "Thou hast no need to follow. Pray return with us."
"The Witch King has six hours' lead," she replied, after a quick glance at the westering moon revealed two hours past midnight. "I wager his host has marched as many leagues. I shall follow them to Fornost. Return to Elrond and your company, and then ride with all haste to the king."
Ere they could make any further appeals, Helluin continued on her way. Amidst the trampled earth and crushed plants that demarcated the trail, she saw wheel ruts and the droppings of horses. By this she knew that at least some in Tindomul's host rode, and others drove wagons, no doubt filled with supplies. Once she came upon the bodies of two Men whom she took to be Easterlings, slain, stripped, and partially eaten raw.
Deserters, perhaps. Sons of Rhûn march in this host, and certainly Yrch, she thought. Later, as she had drawn 'nigh the Ringwraith's morgul, the blue glow that enveloped her dagger confirmed this.
So she proceeded for another six hours, alternately trotting and walking, and she deemed she would come upon the host an hour after they set their day's camp. As she rode, she alternately ruminated on her loss and her anger, and repeatedly she sought for some contact with her beloved, but 'naught did she sense of the Green Elf, and so she could not but continue to dog Tindomul's steps through that night and the next, 'til they came 'nigh Fornost, just as she had predicted. 'Twas then the morn of 4 Lothron.
Now at Fornost on the night that Helluin went missing, the battle had again resulted in the worsting of the Host of Angmar. The Dúnedain infantry had come from behind the barricade, and with bitter strokes, they had driven their foes back. The field had been hard won, with fighting continuing for six hours ere the Yrch and Hillmen retreated, for by then the night had grown old and they chose not to fight by daylight save at some great need. When they retreated in haste at the fourth hour past midnight, the infantry of Arthedain allowed them to disengage and pursued them not. Rather, they returned victorious to their city, counted their losses, ministered to the wounded, and retrieved their dead. Catapult shot and arrows were scavenged from the battlefield and the bodies of their fallen foes, to be sent against them again during the following night's combat.
In the last hour ere dawn of 3 Lothron, Men and Elves at Fornost marked the flight of flaming arrows fired in high arcs, and invariably their trails of smoke led from east to west. 'Twas certainly a signal, but of what it portended, they knew 'naught.
By morning, the scouting parties sent north had begun to return. Most had found no trace of Helluin, or a host of foes, but the party that Elrond had joined told of all they had seen and done, and another party told of seeing a strange apparition moving south at a marching pace, and followed by a lone rider. Combined with the report from the shocked Custodian of the Palantír, the king understood what had come to pass. At his council with the captains and commanders on the morning of 3 Lothron, he revealed all he had learnt, and so plans were laid to foil the schemes of the Witch King.
As the captains and commanders made their readiness reports, 'twas decided that the bulk of the archers and infantry would engage the host in the east as they had o'er the past few nights. The reserves of infantry and archers would stand ready for action on the western front. Artillery too would stand ready to defend all four quarters.
"Your Grace, m'lords and allies, if indeed a new host comes to embattle Fornost, then the cavalry shall stand ready," the Knight Commander declared. "Should the Witch King come with nightfall on the 4th, then he shall meet the spears of four thousand Knights of Arthedain and our five hundred mounted allies."
"I want every cart, wagon, and such cargoes of crates and pallets as they can haul brought forth from the city and emplaced two furlongs west of our walls," the king ordered. "No time have we now to build a proper defensive barricade, yet I would not have our archers and infantry await the enemy exposed."
The Captain of the King's Archers and the Commander of the Infantry dipped their heads to their lord in thanks. Their Men would have cover behind which to wait, shoot, and if necessary, behind which to withdraw as well, for they knew that Angmar equipped many in its hosts with crossbows.
"Spread the order that every able Man and Woman capable of shooting shall come to the western wall walk ere twilight bearing their bows, to stand with the reservists. Let strong Men come thither as well, to bear shields and spare quivers," the king added.
The Commander of the Infantry then turned to Elrond and asked, "what of the Lady Helluin, m'lord?"
The Peredhel sighed, for though he expected his friend to assail Angmar's host with the intention of confronting Tindomul, he had no idea of how she would contrive to achieve that end. He knew only what they all knew, that she shadowed the march of their enemies.
"I expect that sometime after the Witch King drops his spell and reveals his host for battle, Helluin shall assail him," he said. "A long history of contention they have, and indeed by her sword was he delivered into eternal servitude. I know that since that day, Helluin has sought to complete the task begun when she felled him as a mortal Man upon the quay of Pelargir and his spirit escaped her. More than this, I cannot say."
Darkness fell on the 3rd, and as on the two nights past, the eastern Host of Angmar came against Fornost. Again the defense began with catapult fire at a range of a half-mile. On this night, two additional batteries, the 1st upon the southern wall, and the 16th upon the northern wall, joined in the bombardment, lofting conventional burning shot to light the field. Again the archers upon wall and field fired into the advancing enemy, beginning at a range of one quarter mile, and continuing 'til they were shooting at point blank range. Yet unlike the two previous nights, the infantry no longer awaited the Yrch and Hillmen behind the barricade. Having counted the dead o'er the past two nights, they now deemed themselves possessed of a numerical advantage, and so when the Host of Angmar had reached fifteen fathoms from the barricade, they gave a great shout and charged.
Now the pikemen split their line into twin formations of two-hundred and fifty per side, and with each went a shield bearer on his left and an archer behind. These mixed companies moved out to hold the flanks and suppress any enemy actions there. In the center, the regular infantry charged with sword and shield, and they came against the Host of Angmar in a front o'er two thousand Men wide, and three ranks deep. On the right and left flanks, arrows flew and pikes were thrust, constraining the Yrch and Hillmen, and forcing them to meet the massed infantry in the center.
At the front, the warriors clashed in vicious combat hand-to-hand, but to the rear of Angmar's host, a few Hillmen and many Yrch began to fall, slain by arrows shot from the downs on both sides of the battle. These were not the heavy Dúnedain arrows that punched through armor and pitched their targets back, but rather shorter and more slender shafts, fired with unnatural precision at unprotected targets. Seldom did they cause a wound only, for well 'nigh all were fatal kill shots directed to eye or throat. In the heat of battle they went unmarked at first, and 'twas only when the advancing Dúnedain trod o'er fallen foes that some marked the arrows they had come to recognize as Laiquendi.
As on the previous night, the field was hard fought. The determination of the Dúnedain was balanced by the increasing desperation of the Yrch and Hillmen, who again felt not the morgul promised by the Witch King, the enhancement of their courage, strength, and endurance, and the sapping of their foes' will. Their suspicions of abandonment had increased with each night's defeat, and so they fought with viciousness born of the survival instinct only, rather than any higher calling. Step by step they were forced back, and many had begun to question why they had come to this realm at all, if only to die on these blood soaked foreign lands. And finally, as on the previous two nights, they conceded the field and withdrew, and again the Dúnedain called a halt, watching their retreat and pursuing them not. So ended the third night's battle in the defense of Fornost, victory, aye, but bought with an increasing count of dead and wounded.
Scouts from Fornost dogged the foe's retreat to assure that 'twas in earnest and not some feint. The archers and shield bearers, the pikemen and the regular infantry, all stood down and returned to the city. Such celebrations as were held after in barracks and taverns had become increasingly subdued on each successive night. The elation of the victors was tempered by the empty seats and unoccupied bunks of those comrades lately fallen, and by the knowledge of even greater threats to come.
Now the night in which 3 Lothron became 4 Lothron passed with the final march of Tindomul's host. Ere dawn, they had pitched their camp two leagues to the west of the North Fortress of the Kings. The strange apparition that was the Witch King's spell of concealment sat, looking for all the world like a dome of slowly roiling heat waves, and within which 'naught could be discerned, yet whose outward presence was anything but hidden. After tending her horse, Helluin sat gnawing on a piece of stale waybread and watching it from a copse of trees some furlong to the west.
Anor rose and lit the landscape. The dome of concealment cast no shadow, nor did 'aught contained within it. Helluin had discovered that a thrown stone disappeared when it struck the dome. Whatsoe'er contacted the exterior passed within unobstructed, whilst the spell remained unaffected. She deemed that this morgul confounded sight alone.
Had I even a small catapult, I would rain down fiery shot upon them for Udûn's sake, she thought, allowing herself a dark chuckle, whilst imagining those within suddenly assailed by fireballs that appeared without warning but a few yards above their heads. For a while longer she sat enjoying the notion, yet a moment later her head snapped 'round to the east. A stealthy presence approached.
"Mae govannen, silent watcher of the Laiquendi," she whispered.
"Mae govannen, Mórgolodh," a voice replied just as softly, "all our people share thy grief and we weep, for thy loss is our loss as well."
Helluin dipped her head to honor the Green Elf's words.
"Lindon comes," the voice said.
Helluin nodded, accepting that tiding. In Fornost, the Sindar were expected.
"What, pray tell, is yonder…bubble?"
"'Tis a spell of concealment, a morgul 'neath which a host of Angmar hides from sight and sun," Helluin said.
She could well 'nigh feel the calculating regard with which the scout of the Laiquendi appraised it. The soft stretching of a bowstring followed.
"I have made that test, mellon nín. Thy arrow shall pass."
The bowstring relaxed and the arrow was replaced in its quiver.
"The wrath of our people shall fall upon this place," the scout declared ere Helluin sensed the presence withdraw.
"And mine as well," she whispered to the empty air.
The half part of an hour passed ere Helluin heard the approach of hooves at a cautious walk. She turned west and confirmed the direction of two riding towards her. A short while later, she caught a first glimpse of riders cloaked in grey on dark horses. Sindar scouts, she thought as she rose from her place of concealment.
She approached the scouts, and when the riders had passed her none the wiser, she softly hailed them, saying, "what word from Lindon, noble warriors?"
To their credit, the two scouts hid their shock well. They turned their mounts and saw her, a lone elleth standing with no weapon drawn, and then, having recognized her from lore, they dismounted to share tidings.
"By order of Lord Círdan, we come with aid to Fornost," one said.
"Thy aid shall be welcome, for though the Dúnedain have held off a host to the east for the past three nights, a second host has arrived and lies not a quarter mile from here. I deem they shall attack with nightfall," Helluin told them. "Pray tell, what count has come from Lindon?"
"We are four thousands afoot and two thousands horse," the second scout said.
"Our host has encamped for the day but a mile west," the first added.
"I would counsel that ye make for Fornost this day, for I wager the host of Angmar is 'nigh double thy count. I deem t'would be better if ye add your strength to that of the Dúnedain and coordinate together the defense."
The scouts nodded and went to remount.
"Thy tidings we shall bear hence," the second scout said.
"If your commanders act upon these tidings, ye should make your way due east first and approach the fortress by the road."
The second scout nodded and then the two rode back the way they had come.
An hour later, Helluin marked the Elvish host to her south, passing eastward and headed for the North Road that led to Fornost. She expected that they would arrive at the outer gate in another three hours, that being 'round noon.
Helluin had resumed her watch on the Witch King's host, and there she remained throughout the day. During that time, 'naught changed in Tindomul's morgul, and though no others appeared, she had sensed the arrival of another host, unseen and unheard. Towards evening she doffed her cloak and took from her travel bag the coif of galvorn washed mithril that matched her armor. After drinking the remainder of her water and consuming the remainder of her rations, she tied her travel bag and cloak to the horse's back, and with apologies, looked it in the eyes and bid it return home with her thanks for its service.
Go now with haste and my blessings. Return safely home to enjoy many a day in the sun.
The horse nodded, bumped the Noldo with its head to receive a last few strokes of its neck, and then trotted off, seemingly understanding the need for haste. When it had gone, Helluin began to make her way 'round the southern flank of Tindomul's morgul, for she intended to be the first thing he saw. 'Twas an hour ere twilight on 4 Lothron.
In Fornost on the morning of 4 Lothron, the king's council met and the reports of the past night's battle were heard, as well as the preparations for the expected assault to come. Again the captains and commanders planned to meet the foe in the east with a deployment akin to what had brought them victories o'er the past three nights. Counts of the fallen had proved that the Host of Angmar stood now so reduced as to be a lesser threat than the unknown host reported to their west. Still, the king chose to maintain the bulk of his forces on the eastern front, for much had changed to the west since his councils on the previous day.
Earlier in the morning, tidings had come from scouts to the west reporting the nearing of the Host of Lindon. 'Twas a great relief to all, for now they would have strong reinforcements. Other reinforcements the king had too, and these had joined from within the fortress. O'er the course of the previous day, the people of Fornost had answered his call. Some five scores of hunters, retired soldiers, minor nobles, and youths had appeared on the western wall walk bearing bows and quivers of arrows. All were capable archers after their fashion, and though but few had seen battle or drilled in formations aforetime, they would be deployed atop the wall where the danger was least, and where they would have the clearest targets.
Likewise, the call for shield bearers had resulted in an excess of Men. Of these, officers of the King's Archers had chosen enough to equal the count of volunteer archers, and then issued them large oaken shields. A short session of drilling followed, yet it comprised mostly the holding of the shield in such a fashion as to protect both themselves and the archer assigned to them. Because those archers carried non-standard, civilian bows, no spare quivers could be issued, for arrows sized to the steel war bows would not have fit.
Through the morning and afternoon of the 3rd, wagons, carts, and carriages had been loaded with all such sturdy crates and pallets of wood as could be found, and then driven out of the city gates. They were formed into an arc one-quarter mile from the southwest corner of the walls, where their wheels were chocked or set into hastily dug ruts. Their cargoes were placed 'neath them to foil arrows shot low. Spaces 'twixt them allowed for shooting and the passage of troops onto the battle field. Water barrels were set behind to slake the thirst of the archers and infantry who would make their stand before the contrived barricade, and a latrine pit too was dug.
Amongst those preparing the barricade were five soldiers of the infantry. They had accompanied onto the field a small wagon with a tall crate affixed to its tailgate. Already they had forbid a carpenter to remove that crate, and they had been adamant about the cart's placement, alone and dead center in the line with its wheels free to roll.
By evening, all stood ready and sentries were posted to keep watch through the night. Though battle raged to the east, 'naught impinged on the preparations made to the west.
Morning came on the 4th. A score and one hundred Archer's Reservists and three thousand five hundred infantry stood ready to defend the jury-rigged barricade with the coming of evening. They would be reinforced by four thousand five hundred cavalry, Men and Elves, as well as the artillery batteries of the western wall and the volunteer archers. They expected to be outnumbered, perhaps badly so, but they had hope, for a cavalry charge was a powerful tool in the hands of a great tactician, and all had faith in their king.
Now as the day progressed, battle orders were formulated and final preparations were made. Then, an hour ere noon, scouts came to Fornost bearing tidings most welcome. The Host of Lindon had come to the North Road and were by then but two miles south of the city. Long columns of foot soldiers and cavalry were reported, along with estimates of their counts. King Araval rejoiced at their opportune arrival, for he deemed their timing could not have been better. Thousands ahorse and afoot would be available to reinforce his western front. Now battle plans were reconsidered, and the captains and commanders eagerly awaited the arrival of their allies.
"Prepare liquid shot," King Araval ordered, "six loads per battery on the western wall. Batteries twenty-two, twenty-three, and twenty-four on the southern wall shall launch flaming shot to light the field. I want the enemy driven away from the road and denied a clear view of the gate."
The Captains of Artillery for the western and southern walls hastened to fulfill his orders. The captain of the western wall felt no little nervousness, for liquid shot was hazardous to handle and hazardous to launch, yet 'twas stunning to foes upon the field.
"Six loads per battery," he muttered as he left the council chamber. "One hundred forty-four all told. The armory shall have a great labor this day, but the effect upon the enemy shall be devastating."
In the armory, the captain conveyed the orders to the Officer of the Arsenal, who groaned at the last minute request. Then he shifted his Men from wrapping cores in straw to compounding the incendiary, filling the vessels, and inserting the fuses. Vats were heated for the liquefaction of beeswax and the blending of oils. Crated spheres of glass were opened, and segments of coarse cotton rope were cut to length. Eventually a dark chuckle escaped him as he imagined the impact of his munitions.
'Round noon, the column of Elvish warriors from Lindon reached the city and they were met by the king, the prince, and the principal officers of Arthedain. Greetings were exchanged and thanks given. The Host of Lindon marched through the outer and inner gates to the inner courtyard where they stood down from their formations. Horses were taken to the stables and the Elves were led to the mess hall for the noon meal.
"Your Grace, Lord Círdan sends thee his regards and hopes for victory," said Bregedúr Candon¹. ¹(Bregedúr, Assault Commander = breged(suddenness, violence) + -úr(intensive agent suff, n. on adj.) Candon, Bold one = cand(bold) + -on(agent suff, n. on adj.) Sindarin)
"Thy aid is greatly appreciated, Bregedúr Candon," King Araval said. "Pray convey my sincerest thanks to the Lord Círdan. 'Tis my hope that thee and thy officers enjoy this noon's repast after your long march."
"Your Grace, I present Cón Huor¹ of the expeditionary cavalry, and Cón Thoronhen² of Lindon's infantry." ¹(Cón, Commander Huor, Courage Sindarin) ²(Thoronhen, Eagle Eye = thoron(eagle) = hend(eye) Final consonants –nd become –n at the end of a proper noun. Sindarin)
"Cón Huor, Cón Thoronhen, 'tis my pleasure to greet you and to offer the hospitality of Fornost to you and your warriors. May the Valar grant you victory and a safe return from battle."
The two commanders dipped their heads to honor the king's words.
The meal began with the Silent Thanksgiving ere the Dúnedain and the Elves took food from the platters and poured beverages from the pitchers. All ate with gusto as t'would be their last meal ere the battle. At the head table, the king, the prince and the officers of Fornost and Lindon reviewed their preparations for that night's defense. With a few minor adjustments, the strategy was agreed, and thereafter they enjoyed each others' company and the victuals.
Following the meal, the king's officers conducted an orientation of the defenses for the three Elvish commanders and their adjutants. The artillery batteries and the positioning of the archers, infantry, and cavalry were shown to the newcomers. Other aspects of the fortress were introduced to the Elves, the elevator cars for the delivery of shot to the catapult emplacements from the arsenal deep underground, the placement of the staircases leading up onto the wall walks, and the arrangement of the gates. From the command post in the southwest corner turret, they viewed the initial deployment of the defenses and the intended movements of the companies. Finally, the trumpet calls and other signal cues for various actions were presented.
By then 'twas five hours past noon. The Elves had absorbed all the preparations that the Dúnedain had made and understood the king's intentions for the defense. They made some final adjustments and then deployed their infantry on the field to reinforce their allies, and there they waited. Most deemed the enemy would arrive some two hours past nightfall.
In the arsenal, the first of the liquid shot was conveyed to the elevators, and by the rotation of cunning mechanisms of pulleys and gears powered by a pair of oxen walking in endless circles 'round a capstan, they were raised to the wall walks a dozen at a time. There they were offloaded onto hand trucks and wheeled to racks 'nigh the catapult emplacements that comprised each battery's magazine. O'er the course of an hour, each elevator rose six times, delivering six loads per battery as the king had ordered.
Now twilight came to the North Downs. Anor sank 'neath the western horizon and the shadows lengthened before the eastern walls of Fornost. Men and Elves stood their places on the wall and on the field. The booms of the catapults were cranked to their firing positions, and shot was set in the slings. Batteries traversed to cover their intended angles of fire. Charcoal was lit in the braziers, and torches were readied upon the wall walks. Shields were leant against the crenellations 'twixt the firing slots where they could be readily grabbed and raised into position. In the east, the first faint stars glimmered in the darkening sky, whilst on the undersides of clouds in the west, colors faded and all passed to grey. The last light of evening failed, and it seemed that night fell like a sledgehammer.
Two leagues west of the Northern Fortress, the morgul that was the Witch King's spell of concealment began to move. Tindomul had rousted his host and they commenced their last march east to attack. Their pace was quick, easily a league an hour, and those whose wrath had brought them thither marched with it, maintaining their leaguer.
Helluin retreated towards Fornost at the fore of the host, for she was determined to confront the Ringwraith as soon as he broke his spell. This continued for an hour, and the distance to Fornost was halved. Another half hour fled and another mile and a half passed 'neath the marching feet of Tindomul's troops. The dome of heat waves continued to move 'til but three-quarters of a mile lay 'twixt Angmar's host and Fornost Erain. Full night fell. Then the spell dissolved, the dome wavered and faded, and within it, the figures of Easterling warriors and Yrch from Gundabad seemed to shimmer into existence, ten thousands strong.
At their head rode the Witch King, and behind him, two thousands of mounted Easterlings bearing scimitars, lances, or bows. They were followed by the ordered ranks and files of three thousand Rhûnwaith footmen, and a mob of Yrch. At the rear, a row of supply wains stood, each drawn by a pair of dun horses.
As soon as the enemy became visible, they were assailed from all sides by arrows that flew into the host. They came not as volleys, but as individual shots, each fired with lethal precision at individual targets. Easterlings fell from horseback, and if any marked it, Yrch bearing crossbows and Men armed with the recurved bows of Rhûn were the favored targets. Hundreds died ere any response beyond shocked recoiling from the flanks was made. Then Men and Yrch raised their shields, and some archers 'nigh the outer margins of the host blindly returned fire, for no foes could they discern.
The shields reduced the available targets, and the killing slowed, yet still arrows flew, and still well 'nigh all brought death. And now the Ringwraith ordered his host to advance, for the losses had become acceptable to him. He stood in his stirrups and raised his sword to gesture them forward, and his morgul flowed down to each of them, strengthening their hearts and bolstering their courage. The host began to move, for all could see Fornost in the distance, its walls standing straight ahead upon the last down, dimly lit by torches.
Then out of the night darkened lands ahead came the whine of a blade slicing through the air at speed, and the Sarchram hewed the neck of the Ringwraith's horse. It deflected to open the chest of the Easterling captain who rode beside the wraith ere it returned to the darkness ahead. Tindomul's mount collapsed, its hind legs jerking, a froth of blood fountaining from its mouth, and from its ruin, the wraith rose to its feet, sword in one hand, dagger on guarde in the other, empty hood turning to and fro, sniffing and seeking for an enemy long known.
Not two fathoms before the Ringwraith, the very ground seemed to erupt in a blinding flash of Light that faded not. 'Twas as if a bolt of lightning had struck in their midst and then remained. Easterlings snapped shut their eyes by reflex and their horses bolted in fright. In that moment, Tindomul's morgul failed as his concentration lapsed. The unnatural strength that he gifted to his host was lost to them. Then Men and Yrch took flight, blindly recoiling away from the terrifying apparition, and even ignoring the deadly hail of arrows that came at them out of the dark. Leadership failed, and absent all reason or command, the host spread as a stream 'round a boulder as it fled east towards the fortress in a disorganized mass that was at once both a rout and a charge.
To Be Continued