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.

176. In An Age Before Chapter 176

In An Age Before – Part 176

Now after they had met Helluin on 22 Gwaeron, Glorfindel and his companions sat with the dark Noldo, for they had many tidings to share. Though they had been gone from Eriador for o'er six months, Helluin had missed well 'nigh all of what had happened in the last hundred and twenty-three years. Of current events, she hadn't asked and the Yrch hadn't told.

"Helluin, in thy absence, much has come to pass," the Lord of the House of the Golden Flower said. The time since her disappearance had brought far more of darkness than of light.

"I doubt it not, meldir nín, for the world e'er changes whether I mark it or no," she said. "I have been preoccupied a while, yet having learnt 'naught for which I sought, I have resolved to return to Eriador. I was making my way north to Khazad-dûm."

"That is good tidings, Helluin, for indeed, we were sent to seek thee. The Lord Elrond craves thy counsel. King Arvedui in Fornost has called for aid, yet we could not come to him, for Imladris is besieged." At the widening of her eyes in surprise, Glorfindel added, "aye, meldis nín, Angmar is renewed."

His revelation was followed by many muttered curses and threats upon Tindomul's unlife from Helluin. She had truly hoped that her Light, reflected from the mirror of Númenor and focused by the five shields of Khazad-dûm, had destroyed him once and for all.

How many times must I defeat that miserable wraith ere he plagues Arthedain no more? I shall see his doom ere I leave this world, and the sooner so, the better.

"Come, my friends, we must make our way hence," she said, rising to her feet, "and on our way, ye shall tell me all that has come to pass in my absence, for I deem the current war in Eriador but the latest in the tale of the years that I have missed."

"Indeed 'tis just so, Helluin. Much has come to pass for good and ill," Glorfindel said as he stood to join her. Of all he would speak of, he knew the events in the Greenwood would be the hardest for her to bear, for she had saved Inthuiril in Dol Guldur upon a time, and had rejoiced at her wedding to Thranduil.

Now the five Eldar set out north and they made their way afoot, leading their horses along the mountain path. Because their purpose was to return to the Hidden Valley, rather than to pass through Khazad-dûm into Eregion, they sought for a path down, out of the Hithaeglir and into the Vale of Anduin, north of Fangorn Forest. Travel through the flat lands would be faster than on the twisting mountain paths, and so they would ride in haste to the Old Ford of Anduin. There the company would turn west, ascending to the High Pass. They would make their way o'er the Misty Mountains and then down into Imladris.

On 25 Gwaeron, they found a path leading down from the Hithaeglir, and they deemed that it found its foot at the very northern verge of Fangorn. Perhaps it had been made by the Yrch o'er many years, for because of their terror of the powers living within that wood, they would set no foot into the forest. Helluin, Glorfindel, Thórá, Gwingion, and Galadhon spent a few hours from late morn to early afternoon carefully descending the trail. 'Twas obviously intended for foot travel. Its uneven bed and abundant scree made it hazardous for horses.

When they reached the lowland, they rested their mounts and took some food. A furlong south stood the eves of the dark forest, and all sensed a watchfulness thither, as though hidden sentries espied them from 'neath the canopy. Helluin in particular kept a careful eye on the shadows 'twixt the boles. This Galadhon marked, and he asked after the lore of Fangorn, for she was far more widely traveled than he.

"Helluin, what know thee of yonder forest? I have heard only scant rumor of it, yet 'tis forbidding enough. Even I sense a fell nature within," he said.

"'Tis fell indeed, mellon nín, and populated by far more than trees," she replied. "I deem it hath the greatest count of Onodrim in the west of Middle Earth, and a multitude of Huorns as well. Upon a time, I met Lord Fangorn himself, and some of his kindred. They are ancient and powerful after their fashion, and that power was sufficient to drive hence no less a malignancy than Sauron himself."

Galadhon and his companions looked with renewed wonder at the forest, imagining that which Helluin had claimed. Not a one of them had e'er met an Onod, knowing them only from old lore and such tales as Helluin herself had told to the Lord Elrond aforetime.

"I deem that those Onodrim driven from Calenglad i'Dhaer by the Necromancer now abide in yonder wood, Oldbark and his kith, and their Huorns in all their thousands," she added. "Fangorn is perhaps the greatest bastion of the Olvar upon the Mortal Shores, a fortress no less formidable than Khazad-dûm."

"It must be a place strange and unwelcoming to such as we who go upon two legs," Glorfindel mused.

"'Tis no place for Elves, Men, or Dwarves to tarry, true," Helluin agreed, "and yet to Beinvír and me, Fangorn was sympathetic when we met him. Though I have no fear of evil in the forest, I would not go thither without cause, and woe be to any given to kindling fires, or swinging an axe. Come, let us be away."

The company mounted, Helluin riding a while behind each of her friends in turn to spare the horses, and they hastened north along known paths. In three days, they covered five score miles and made the outlying woods south of Celebrant. There they struck the spur of the Dwarf Road that led down to Anduin, and they followed it west, away from the river towards Nanduhirion. They bypassed the southern border of Lórinand, knowing that they were marked by the march wardens of that realm, but they were neither hailed, nor stayed, and so they continued on their way.

In the late morning of 28 Gwaeron, they came to the crossroads and took the branch leading north. In short order, they passed the place where Beinvír had fought her last battle. 'Twas 'naught of that event to be seen, for the passing years had erased all trace. Still, the five Eldar were somber as they rode past, and their mood remained so throughout the rest of the day.

'Twas another three hundred miles by the Dwarf Road from Nanduhirion to the road leading from the Old Ford of Anduin to the High Pass, and the five Noldor covered that distance in six days. Having a paved way and flat land aided their haste, and so on 4 Gwirith they took the climbing track leading up into the Hithaeglir. Along the way, Glorfindel had offered Helluin such tidings as he knew of the greater events that had come to pass during her absence. The successions of the kings of Gondor and Arthedain he related, and the battles in the south with the Wainriders and the Men of Umbar and Harad. Yet when it came time to tell of the Greenwood, he slowed the company and ordered a halt.

"Though I know the welfare of the Dúnedain kingdoms is close to thy heart, for they are kin to thee, 'tis of the Woodland Realm that I must tell tidings of joy and woe."

Helluin was regarding Glorfindel with a sinking feeling.

"To Thranduil and Inthuiril in the year 1854 was born a son, whom they named Legolas. All the Woodland Realm was o'erjoyed, for now at last there was a royal heir, a descendant of their late King Oropher, who could continue that line's rule in the Greenwood for another generation."

At this, a broad smile shaped Helluin's lips. His news was a source of joy to her, for she felt that Thranduil and Inthuiril deserved the blessing of an addition to their family. Though her old friend had absolved her of the blame, she still felt his sorrow at the loss of his adar, for she still felt the loss of her brother, and now the loss of Beinvír even more sharply. Now she could imagine her friends happily raising their young prince in the forest. Still, there was ill too, or so Glorfindel had said. She nodded for him to continue as her eyes snapped back to his, waiting to hear how the other shoe had dropped.

Though he met her gaze, Glorfindel had to take a deep breath ere he spoke.

"In 1889, many Yrch came down from Mt. Gundabad into the northern Greenwood, following the Forest River. By then a generation had passed since thy defeat of Angmar in 1851, and we deem that the Yrch had bred sufficiently to recover from their losses at Fornost. Having then no o'erlord in Carn Dûm or Dol Guldur, they ventured into the forest on their own behalf. Then there was war 'neath the trees, for the Tawarwaith met their foes and defended their homeland.

Being still a hunter and march warden of the Greenwood, Queen Inthuiril led a part of the army into battle against the invaders, whilst King Thranduil led the rest. Alas, she was taken captive, and 'tis believed that she was then tortured and executed. Sometime later, personal tokens that confirmed her fall were found downstream in the Forest River."

The Lord of the House of the Golden Flower chanced a look into Helluin's eyes and he watched as her shock and sorrow mingled with guilt and rage. The curious young elleth who had bombarded her with questions after being delivered from the Sorcerer of Dol Guldur had been slain because his minions lacked for his leadership. 'Twas a cruel irony that, having defeated her enemy at Fornost, his absence had led to the death of a dear friend. And what of King Thranduil, and Prince Legolas?

Helluin could not help but feel history repeating itself, for 'tis in the nature of The Song, she thought, that all repeats. Now the sorrow and the loss that Thranduil felt in Udûn with the fall of Oropher is visited upon him again in the loss of Inthuiril, and introduced afresh to Legolas. Aye, deeds repeat, and their toll too, as history unfolds. And in both events 'tis war and my own hand that has led to the unfolding of such suffering. He pardoned me for the first. I shall not ask him to pardon me thus again, for truly, I am a scourge upon him and all his family.

She looked to the north, as if seeing things that passed far away. Gundabad. Her eyes were focused on that place and a time yet to come. 'Round her, the four ellyn could well 'nigh hear her thoughts. Someday, I will destroy you all.

"Ashdautas vrasulûk," she whispered to the breeze.

Eventually Helluin blinked herself back to the present. Vengeance would come in its own time, and time was a resource she had in abundance. She sighed and shook her head, then looked at those 'round her.

"Come," she said, "we have our destination. Elrond's need is pressing and fell deeds await."

In silence the five Noldor mounted, and they took the track ascending to the High Pass. For four days they rode the path that led o'er the Hithaeglir, yet finally on 8 Gwirith, they abruptly saw the Hidden Valley lying 'neath them, deep riven and stretching out to the west, a welcoming enclave of falling water and fair enchantments set amidst the coarse and stony moors.

After an absence of six months, the return of the four ellyn was met with great joy. Glorfindel, Gwingion, Thórá, and Galadhon had completed their mission, for beside them strode Helluin, a dark look etched upon her features and a fell aura surrounding her. The last time she had stood in the Hidden Valley, she was taking her leave of Beinvír ere they went their separate ways in 1851.

Most of the Noldor who had gathered to welcome back Glorfindel's company shied from her, and a path opened amidst the welcoming throng as it parted to allow her passage. From the crowd came whispered speculations and mutterings, and Helluin heard, Ghâshgûl amongst them. She spoke to none as she paced to the east porch. There she walked directly up to the windows of Elrond's study and rapped upon the panes with her knuckles. Straightaway, the Peredhel appeared on the other side of the glass, and he beckoned urgently for her to come inside.

Elrond met her at the door and ushered her into his study with a smile and warm words of welcome. He gestured her to a chair and then offered a goblet of wine and the same seeded cakes he had provided as refreshments for thousands of year. The sight of them brought a wry smile to Helluin's face as she took the chair opposite him 'cross his desk.

"Mae govannen, Helluin, I rejoice to see thee," Elrond said, "and I am in grave need of thy counsel. I guess that Glorfindel and his companions have apprised thee of the state of Eriador, yet much has come to pass since they left us in Narbeleth last."

Helluin raised her eyes from the cake she had just taken a bite from and met the Peredhel's eyes, giving him her undivided attention. With a nod, she bid him continue.

"Three weeks past, tidings came to me of the fall of Fornost on 29 Nínui. The city is in the possession of the Witch King, and by now, wholly occupied by his host. Of King Arvedui, 'tis only said that his intent was to buy time and harry any who sought to pursue his people, and to maintain a defense of the realm of Arthedain beyond the city. The people of Fornost, and most of the army, have fled to the Havens of Mithlond."

At Elrond's revelations, Helluin gritted her teeth, the seeded cake now no more appetizing than a mouthful of sawdust.

"Imladris remains blockaded by a mixed force of Hillmen, Yrch, Tor, Wargs, and wolves. They have not moved to attack, yet neither have they withdrawn following the fall of the fortress. I find myself unsure of their intent, now that our aid to the Dúnedain is no longer at issue."

The city had fallen thirty-nine days ago, Helluin thought, and by now Tindomul would have occupied the city and defeated whatsoe'er resistance the king had left within the walls. She pitied the fate of any such, yet greater concerns ruled her calculations now. The Witch King's victory in the north had been consolidated, and he would not leave Imladris unassailed, now that his primary objective had been achieved. Piecemeal he had engaged his foes, and piecemeal he would devour them. It took her little time to conclude that Lindon too was similarly invested. The Nazgûl's strategy was consistent. And if so, had the fleeing Dúnedain found haven and succor with Círdan, or had they come upon a blocking force outside the Havens, and there met their end? She had no way to be sure. Yet of one thing, she was sure. Soon enough, the Ringwraith would turn his attention to the Hidden Valley, and his ancient enemy, Elrond Half-elven.

I have need of tidings more detailed and more current than can be found hither, she realized, and to seek them, I cannot go by horse through the blockade. Having recognized her necessity and divined the means to achieve it, Helluin nodded to herself and made a request of her host.

"Lord Elrond, hast thou some method of summoning an Eagle?"

Now in Fornost on the morn of 3 Gwaeron, Tindomul resolved to first take the measure of the king's cavalry. He had realized that if the people of the city had indeed fled west, then the king in his predictable wisdom would have assigned a strong force to guard them. His Easterlings had claimed that they had been assaulted by a force of a hundred riders and an unknown number of archers. E'er suspicious of his soldiery, the Ringwraith had grave doubts about the reported strength of those they had met. Indeed, he had no shred of belief that 'twas more rather than less than they claimed. Most likely, they had been worsted and set to flight by a smaller force of riders and as few as a half-dozen archers, based on the count of those shot.

The Ringwraith came amongst his troops projecting an appropriate level of displeasure and menace, and all cowered before him. To the newly appointed leader of his cavalry he instructed, "thou shalt lead thy riders against those met yesterday, and this time, thou shalt have for reinforcements, five thousand Yrch."

Later, to the commander of the Yrch he instructed, "make sure these Easterlings fight to the death, theirs or the enemy's. If they are charged, they shall give pursuit, and if assailed by archers, raise shields and seek them out. Kill them all and feel free to feast on the slain. Only the king's head and the Seeing Stones do I reserve for myself alone."

The commander nodded in vigorous agreement, (for he dared not disagree), and returned a cunning grin, imagining his troops feasting on Easterlings and their horses as well as Elves and Dúnedain. He sketched a graceless bow, which from an Orch always somehow seemed mocking, and said, "thy will is my command, lord. I crave to slaughter thy enemies."

"Uh-huh," the wraith said. "Prepare thy forces and leave at noon. Return victorious with my spoils."

Unspoken was the threat of consequences should he return defeated.

The Nazgûl's expeditionary force left Fornost at noon and made their way west, along the dirt road where the tracks of the fleeing Dúnedain were now o'erridden and mostly obliterated by the hoof prints of the Easterling cavalry. These rode ahead of the Yrch, but not so far ahead as to be an effective vanguard. Rather, they led by but a couple dozen fathoms, as if on parade. Behind them, the Yrch grumbled and cursed, for they were being denied the comforts of the city and the opportunity for plunder. So too felt the Men of Rhûn, and worse, for though they were allied 'neath their fell master, no mortal Man could feel at ease with five thousand Yrch dogging his steps. Amongst the Yrch, much of the grumbling involved the retelling of ancient legends known to their kind, of these haunted lands and the unseen killers who had always populated them. At least they had come upon no macabre tableaus, and none of their dead had been defiled as yet.

'Twas a most uninspired march indeed, fraught with fear and discontent, and all felt some resentment of their master rather than eagerness for battle. The king and his people had fled in defeat. The city was theirs. Man or Orch, they each felt that they should be rampaging through the fortress, rightly celebrating their victory and taking the spoils they had won, rather than needlessly seeking out further danger by searching for enemies afield.

Now King Arvedui learnt of the march from Fornost 'nigh as soon as it came into view 'round the southwestern corner of the fortress. The scouts at the verge of the forest hastened back to the hunting lodge bearing tidings of the mass deployment of cavalry and Yrch. The king groaned. His options for opposing such numerous forces were limited, having but surprise and the forest as advantages.

"How fast are they advancing," he asked the scouts.

"They move at a walking pace, horsemen to the fore and Yrch behind," one replied.

"Leisurely and uninspired they seemed to me," said a second, to which the first nodded in agreement. "I wager we have the better part of an hour ere they reach the stream and the trail leading hither from the road."

The king sat a moment in thought, and then issued orders to prepare his battlefield.

"With haste we must fell trees sufficient to block the road two furlongs from the trail. We shall force the foe to a standstill on the road. There we shall engage them with staggered charges of two equal companies from north and south, beginning with the hindmost companies of the Yrch," he said. "Had we more Men, I would post archers at the barricade, yet aforetime, in the aftermath of the battle, we found some of their cavalry shot dead, and perhaps those archers still linger 'nigh. I pray the Valar 'tis so, for such allies would be most welcome."

The scouts nodded in agreement. Indeed, any aid would be welcome now that they were faced with such an o'erwhelming force.

Arvedui called for Commander Celegon, and together they assigned companies with axes to barricade the road, and then they refined their plan. Shortly, the ringing of axes was heard in the distance, followed by the toppling of several trees. 'Nigh half an hour had passed since the scouts reported, when the axe Men returned, out of breath, to report that the road was now blocked, along with many yards to either side.

"Prepare your weapons and mount in haste," Arvedui ordered his Men, "we ride out now, Commander Celegon's company to the south, and mine to the north."

And to Celegon he said, "when thou hear my charge, wait the count of twenty ere charging with thy Men, and once through their column, ride west and strike next from the north into the middle of their infantry. We shall strike their cavalry from the south 'nigh the same time. If thou art pursued in strength, continue away from the battle. We shall lead any who follow through the woods, south or north 'til they tire of the chase."

Straightaway the Dúnedain mounted and rode forth from the lodge, north and south of the road through the forest, 'til they had come half a mile east of the stream and the trail leading to their camp. There they awaited the coming of the enemy, whom they could already hear advancing down the road with much bickering and complaining, the tramp of feet, and the clop of hooves. 'Twixt the boles, they soon marked the movement of the Easterlings and allowed them to pass. Shortly after, they saw the marching Yrch, and these too they allowed to pass them by. Finally, the tail end of the infantry column lay due south of them on the road and the king waved his company forward to a gallop.

Now the hindmost company of Yrch heard the pounding hooves of charging horses, and they turned towards the sound just in time to see two dozen horsemen in deep green cloaks burst from the forest with leveled spears. Their densely massed, but narrow ranks were run down, and many fell 'neath iron shod hooves, or were brutally flung aside by the sheer mass of the galloping horses. Other were speared, some of them dragged a few yards ere the weapons were wrenched free of their bodies, and then the riders were through their files and disappearing into the woods. A few crossbow bolts were fired in their wake, but none of the attackers fell from their saddles, for most of those hasty shots went wild. 'Twas no point in pursuing them afoot through the trees, and they were soon entirely gone from sight.

The suddenness and violence of the assault wrought confusion amongst the Witch King's troops. All attention turned towards the rear of their column, whilst to the fore, the Easterlings had just come abreast of the barricade of fallen trees. 'Twas much shouting and cursing from the living, and screaming from the wounded. Scarcely did they hear the beat of hooves coming from the south, and when Celegon's company drove through the infantry two thirds of the way to the fore of their column, none were prepared to engage them. Again, some poorly aimed bolts were fired after them, but none had been shot with sufficient precision to hit a target. Amidst the following uproar, few marked that several of the Easterling cavalrymen fell from their saddles, struck to the death by arrows.

Being now to the south of the enemy column, King Arvedui turned his riders west, and they passed amongst the trees parallel to the road 'til they had come just shy of where the barricade blocked the Easterling cavalry's advance. To the north of the road, Celegon's company rode east a short ways 'til they were in position to strike at the middle of the Orcish infantry. Thither he waited to hear the charge of his king.

Quietly the king's company advanced as close to the road as they dared whilst preserving their advantage of surprise. Upon the road, the cavalry of Angmar was in confusion, some facing the fallen trunks ahead and others turned 'round to face the stricken column of Yrch behind. Now, whilst disorganization ruled their foes, King Arvedui led his Men in a charge, guiding them towards the rearmost of the Easterling cavalry.

When he heard the king's charge, Commander Celegon and his company charged as well, and they fell upon the center of the Yrch column. The Nazgûl's troops were attacked from south and north at 'nigh the same moment, and into the growing confusion, more arrows were shot from no place that any could mark. Again, a narrow swath of Yrch were left lying still in death, or wounded and thrashing on the road, whilst two furlongs ahead, a half-dozen Easterlings were speared and left to drop from their saddles.

In a reaction that was both panic and rage, some hundred of the remaining Easterlings gave chase, wheeling their mounts north and charging into the forest in pursuit of their attackers. At first they were accompanied by an indiscriminate rain of crossbow bolts from the Yrch, but soon enough the road fell behind. Horses crashed through the woods chasing the fleeing company in and out amongst the trees. The king led them on a chase worthy of any fox leading hounds, and like a fox, he used to his advantage a landscape that was far more familiar to him than to the Men of Rhûn. In silence the Dúnedain rode north, and like a fox chased by hounds, they were pursued by a pack baying curses and threats in their foreign tongue.

Soon enough, the Easterlings could do 'naught but follow the king's trail, through ghyll, o'er rise, down creek beds, and round outcroppings. They were all but completely lost in the forest and their reinforcements lay far behind. One or two at a time, some lost the trail and became detached, and they called out amidst the woods for their comrades, yet these could not tarry for them, lest they too became separated.

Onward Arvedui led his company and his foes, and slowly, with many zigzags and much circling, he amended his course so it now led mostly south. The Easterlings desperately followed, yet their cries and curses became fainter as they fell further and further behind. Soon enough his Men were forced to shout taunts back at them lest they give up the trail. As the Dúnedain drew further south, they marked the scent of smoke on the breeze, yet they knew not what it portended, and so they could do 'naught save continue their ride

So it came to pass that after 'nigh an hour of frustrating pursuit, the Easterlings discovered that they had been led back to the road where their chase had begun. There they found renewed confusion and many more dead, for the king's company had again charged through the lines of the Yrch on their return a minute earlier, and Commander Celegon's company had charged repeatedly in their absence, and the shooting of the Laiquendi had ne'er ceased.

Of all that occurred on that day of battle, but one thing was not in the king's favor. In their futile pursuit of the unseen archers, some of the Yrch had stumbled on the hunting lodge, and this they had burnt to the ground for spite's sake, for it had been deserted. King Arvedui was rendered homeless, his Men bereft of a base camp, and such of their supplies not already in their saddlebags were lost. They could do 'naught but take to the forest and fight as the houseless brigands they had impersonated aforetime.

Behind them the pursuit continued, for with nightfall, the Yrch were in their favored element, darkness. They crept through the woods, an e'er-present threat. 'Neath the trees no few of them were shot dead, for they were now in the favored element of the Laiquendi, starlit forest.

Now the king and his company were forced to flee by night and day, for the Easterlings picked up the chase by daylight where the Yrch left off. The best they could do was keep far enough ahead of their foes to be able to rest themselves and their horses in cold camps by daylight, as their sentries were far more likely to detect the approach of cavalry than infantry. For the Dúnedain there was no respite, and coupled with dwindling rations and little time to hunt, hunger and exhaustion led to errors and mishaps.

First to fall were a trio of scouts who rode 'round a turn at the base of a cliff and into the midst of a company of Easterlings. For a moment of horrified astonishment, the two parties stared at each other in silence, and then the Easterlings gave chase. 'Twas mid-morning and the Dúnedain had been awake though the previous night. The Men of Rhûn and their horses were well rested. One scout was thrown when his horse tumbled into a ditch that suddenly opened 'cross their trail. Spared a worse death, he lay with a broken neck as his horse squealed and thrashed with a broken leg. His two companions were eventually ridden down and slain, and no word of their fate came to King Arvedui or Commander Celegon. By evening the scouts were deemed killed in action, for they were then many hours o'erdue, and the company was forced to move on in haste, knowing that their foes were 'nigh.

The night of the second day following the disappearance of the scouts brought a battle by night, for the Yrch had caught up with them by grudgingly marching through the prior day. With but forty-seven Men to meet three thousand of the Yrch, Arvedui's small force was worsted as they were put to rout. There fell Commander Celegon and most of his company, plus another four of the king's company, leaving the king and eighteen weary soldiers fleeing north through the night as fast as their tired horses could carry them. 'Twas 9 Gwaeron.

One further detriment came of the king's forced flight. He and his surviving horsemen had outpaced the Laiquendi, who were left to harry the rear guard of the Yrch, but were unable to further aid the king directly.

11 Gwaeron opened with a grey dawn. King Arvedui and his exhausted Men saw before them the foothills of the northern verge of the Emyn Uial stretching off west-northwest for the next twenty leagues. Whilst the terrain within a hundred miles of Fornost was well known, they were now in lands known mostly from maps and lore. They were further afield than any from Fornost would have gone for recreational hunting, and though still nominally a part of Arthedain, (and of Arnor aforetime), none had lived there for many generations. Towns and roads had disappeared into the landscape o'er the centuries since their maps had been drawn. Save for the old ford and a few larger towns that lay further south along the River Lhûn, the Dúnedain were scarcely more familiar with their surroundings than the Easterlings or Yrch.

For many days now, King Arvedui had rued bringing the palantíri with him rather than sending them to safety in Mithlond with his family. He contemplated detaching three riders to hasten thither with the Seeing Stones of Annúminas and Amon Sûl, but the decision was taken from him in the evening of 12 Gwaeron. As the small company readied their horses for another night of flight, the surviving four score of Easterling cavalry assailed them. There another dozen Dúnedain were slain, leaving the king galloping desperately north with his last five soldiers. They rode on through the night and into the following morn, disheartened, starving, exhausted, and increasingly chilled.

Somewhere 'twixt the northern border of the Emyn Uial and the windswept plain of Forochel, their pursuers lost interest in continuing the chase. Their remaining foes no longer constituted a viable threat to anyone. The lands had grown increasingly hostile, with little fodder for horses and 'naught of victuals sufficient for Men or the large count of Yrch. The Easterlings were unaccustomed to cold climes and had grown increasingly nervous, being as they were the only remaining source of meat. Besides, they had met the mysterious riders and they had marked their scant count. They had defeated, slain, and driven off that last force of Arthedain's defenders. Fornost was undisputedly theirs, and the rest of Arthedain was in disarray, requiring only numbers for subjugation and occupation. When their blocking forces outside of Lindon and Imladris returned, they would pillage the countryside. The surviving Easterlings and Yrch deemed themselves victorious and resolved to return to their master and report their triumph. Alas for them, they brought back neither the palantíri, nor the king's head in a sack.

King Arvedui and his five soldiers had no choice but to continue north, for 'twas days ere they believed beyond doubt that their foes had abandoned the chase. By then, it had been 'nigh a week that their horses had been eating better than the Men. The high points of their journey now were those few occasions when one of their number slew some bird or beast, and they enjoyed a meal. Still, as the days passed, their plight became e'er more dire. In those cold lands, fodder became e'er scarcer, and one by one the horses perished, knobby-kneed, ribs protruding 'neath slackened hides, and eyes dulled by hunger and cold. With the loss of each of their beasts, the Men enjoyed several days of feasting and thereby survived.

Those who have read the lore of the North Kingdom's fall may wonder why the king and his last followers had not turned south as soon as they realized that they were no longer pursued, and thereafter made their way to Lindon. Had they done thus, perhaps King Arvedui and his Men would have survived. Perhaps the palantíri would have remained in the keeping of the later chieftains. At the very least, they would have been in lands more hospitable as they fled south on the western bank of the Lhûn. Alas, this was not done. Loremasters have conjectured that by then, the king's party had passed so far north and their horses were so enfeebled that they could not have covered such mileage, including the fording of the two branches that give rise to the River Lhûn. These would have been swollen with early snowmelt from the Ered Luin, and no tales tell of fords so high upon either branch.

Yet for whate'er reasons, King Arvedui and his five followers came at last to the northern Blue Mountains, and there they discovered the remains of a small Dwarf mine. Gladly they took shelter from the wind within that delved hall, and they feasted on the last of their horses, and settled in with dwindling hope. 'Twas 29 Gwaeron and the king's final defense of Arthedain had lasted but a month.

To Be Continued