In An Age Before – Part 177
In Imladris, Elrond had led Helluin to what the elleth thought was a moderate sized tomb of marble, set upon a high terrace above Elrond's halls. She knew it had not been present at her last visit to the Hidden Valley, for it o'erlooked the garden of flowering vines and it was absent from her memories of that place. She regarded the Peredhel with a doubtful and questioning glance.
"A moment, Helluin," Elrond said as he chose a key from those upon a large ring and fitted it into the lock in the decorative, wrought iron gate that stood before a pair of bronze doors. When he had unlocked and opened the gate, he grasped the doorknobs and pulled the doors open as well.
Once they were inside, Helluin marked that the ceiling was of steel sheets, rigged upon tracks so that the rear half could be opened to the sky. The building was not a tomb at all. That was apparent, for rather than containing sarcophagi, it housed a complex and peculiar device that baffled the dark Noldo.
"What, pray tell, would this contrivance be?" She asked.
"'Tis an…invention," Elrond said, as if referring to something for which he had no proper name.
He walked to the far end of the space and cranked a mechanism that retracted the roof. 'Neath the opening stood a hollow, open-ended brass tube, Man-high in length and a half-ranga in diameter, mounted at its mid-height to a swiveling yoke. Elrond grasped the tube by a convenient pair of handles along its sides, and directed it towards the clouds hanging low o'er the snowcapped peaks of the Hithaeglir. When he was satisfied with his aim, he turned the knob on a brass valve soldered high up on the side of the tube, and coupled to a cunning, flexible hose of spiraled steel. At the tube's bottom was a spout directed o'er a drainage grate in the floor.
"This tube is basically a tube within a tube, containing a lens of crystal," Elrond explained. Water could now be heard coursing through the hollow space 'twixt the inner and outer tubes, creating a cooling bath. The water poured out of the spout and disappeared down the drain.
Helluin nodded, accepting his explanation whilst still having no notion of why such would be desirable. The water went nowhere and none were able to drink of it.
Now Elrond returned to where Helluin stood, and he pulled a level protruding from a low, wooden dais set upon the floor. Next to the lever, a great wooden wheel of a fathom's diameter mounted on a shaft that pierced the wall began to turn, driving a belt of leather, previously motionless, which engaged the larger of a pair of metal wheels, and drove a smaller one upon the same axel to power a second belt at a far greater speed. 'Twas a simple, step-up pulley set for increasing rotational speed.
"The wooden wheel is connected to a paddle set in the adjacent waterfall," the Peredhel explained, as if obligated to do so. The purpose of his activities was still cryptic to Helluin.
The belt from the smaller wheel drove an even smaller wheel keyed onto a thick, brass shaft to which a trio of brass drums the size of straight-sided tierce barrels¹ were attached, driving them to revolve at a frightening pace. Helluin marked that the drums were covered on their exteriors with what appeared to be the pelts of many cats, all arranged with the fur growing in the same direction. Within moments of beginning to spin, all the hair was sticking straight up. She shook her head at that and began to doubt her friend's sanity. ¹(a tierce is a standard fluid measure of 35 Imperial, or 42 US gallons, and is the standard 'oil drum' of the petroleum industry)
The spinning shaft with its cat fur drums was connected through the brass caps and bearing holders at each end to a thick, woven copper rope. 'Neath the drums, and just barely in contact with the fur, were rows of glass rods, held in position in an adjustable frame of copper that was curved to match the shapes of the drums, and attached to a second woven copper rope. The ropes led into opposite sides of a heavy wooden block, a U-shaped yoke of solid oak that sat on the floor 'neath the lower end of the water-jacketed tube. Piercing the arms of the U-shape were finger thick rods carved of hard coal, one on each side, and to each of these, a copper rope was affixed at its outer end. The inner ends had been sharpened to matching points.
Elrond checked all of his preparations with great care, and then lowered a curved, sheet metal shield 'twixt themselves and the wooden yoke. He looked away from it for good measure, and then carefully began to slide one of the coal rods closer to the other.
In the next moment, Helluin gasped in shock. An audible hiss and an astonishingly bright white light blasted the space, and save for the shield, both of the Noldor would have been blinded by the ril of the arc light. Fumes began to rise. Immediately, the temperature in what Helluin still thought of as a tomb began to rise, and Elrond ushered her outside. There he directed her attention upwards, towards the clouds.
From the roof of the tomb, a beam of light was projected out of the brass tube, and where it struck the undersides of the clouds, high up and many miles away, it displayed a bright circle in whose midst was a dark emblem of a flying Eagle. The signal held steady, easily visible from great distances west and east of the mountains. Helluin could but gape at it in amazement.
"And this is how thou summon Eagles?" Helluin asked, just to be sure.
"Aye," Elrond said. With a chuckle, he added, "I deem such an emblem would not summon bats or dragons."
Helluin nodded in agreement. She wondered what the Eagles thought of it.
"So, whence came thy inspiration for such an…invention?" She asked.
"During our isolation, we desired a better way to receive tidings," he explained, "and none see more than the great Eagles. Aforetime, these were wont to come of their own volition, and one might wait hundreds of years ere a visitation. To create this possible solution, one of our own and one of the Wise have collaborated of late…"
He trailed off and looked back up at the signal in the clouds.
Helluin groaned. …possible solution… I deem he hath no idea whether this invention will work or not, and I have no doubt that it hath not been tried aforetime. She shook her head in exasperation.
"And so whose creation is this, exactly?"
"'Tis the work of Faradae¹, an artificer who aforetime escaped Ost-in-Edhil in thy company, and the Istar Curumo²," Elrond said. ¹(Faradae, Shadow Hunts = faro-(v. hunt) + -a(3rd pers, present v. suff) + dae(shadow) Sindarin) ²(Curumo, Cunning The name Saruman was known by in Valinor Quenya)
Well, doesn't that just figure. One of Celebrimbor's jewel smiths and 'Clockwork Curumo'. What a pair they must have made. I wonder if t'will detonate now or later? She began to edge away from the tomb, back towards the path descending to Elrond's halls.
She had well 'nigh passed from the terrace, when Elrond gave a whoop of triumph and pointed urgently to the sky. There, circling the bright emblem in the clouds was a dark speck, a bird surely, and of a size that could be 'naught but an Eagle. Helluin gaped at it in amazement.
Now the Eagle circled the projected emblem several times, and then glided down the beam's path towards Imladris. After the sixth part of an hour, it circled the terrace at an altitude barely above tree level, tilting its head to regard the two Eldar with each eye in turn. Elrond hastened into the tomb to shut off his 'invention', and the sheet steel roof slid closed.
When Elrond and Helluin arrived at the east porch, the Eagle was already there, perched on the balustrade cleaning its talons and arranging its feathers with its beak. Upon seeing their approach, it hopped down from the railing to diminish the disparity 'twixt its height and theirs, and walked towards them. Helluin marked that they would still have to look up to meet its eyes, its head being a good four rangar above the ground.
"I have received and accepted thy invitation to dinner, son of Eärendil. Pray hast thou any of that venison sausage to hand? Quite tasty, I deemed it aforetime," the Eagle said without preamble.
Helluin rolled her eyes and Elrond groaned.
"But of course, my noble guest," he said, capitulating, "and I shall have abundant water brought to wash it down."
The Eagle bobbed its head in the manner of birds, a gesture that passed for a nod of approval ere it resumed the preening of its plumage.
Elrond and Helluin hastened away to summon servers who would attend the great bird. Helluin took a moment to retrieve her travel bag from Elrond's study.
Later, after the Eagle had consumed four butcher's stones of sausage and two gallons of water, and then hopped up to perch on the balustrade where it proceeded to relieve itself into the rhododendron garden downhill, it re-approached them to discuss 'aught else that lay pressing.
"My thanks for thy victuals, son of Eärendil. They are greatly appreciated. Our Yrch hunting goes increasingly poorly. Hast thou any further concerns, or shall I be on my way?"
"Indeed we have further concerns," Elrond said, "and such concerns we deem that only one of thy great race may address."
The Eagle 'nodded' and gave the Peredhel his full attention. Elrond in turn deferred to Helluin with a glance.
"I am Helluin Maeg-mórmenel of the Host of Finwë, and I would ask thy name," Helluin said.
The Eagle regarded her a moment, tilting its head to view her from each eye separately ere it looked straight at her again with both.
"Thou appear as tales tell, and so I believe thou art indeed Helluin Maeg-mórmenel of the Host of Finwë," the Eagle said. "Thou art long esteemed by us, Mórgolodh, though perhaps thou could have left us more Yrch of late. I am Meneldor, lieutenant of the Wind Lord Gwaihir."
Helluin offered Meneldor a bow and the Eagle dipped his head in acknowledgement.
"As thou know, Imladris is besieged and Fornost fallen. I have grave need of tidings, and I need them in haste. I pray to impose upon thee to bear me hence, to survey Fornost and then take the measure of Mithlond ere returning hither. During such an excursion, I shall be honored to aid thee in hunting, insomuch as I can."
Meneldor considered her plea for several moments and then cackled, an utterance that passed for a chuckle ere bobbing his head in agreement.
"I shall bear thee hence as did Sorontar from Orodruin to Osgiliath in an Age before," he said.
To this Helluin groaned and Elrond regarded her with a questioning glance. Perhaps there was some tidbit of lore that he had previously missed. Helluin ignored his silent query. Being plucked against her will from Mordor and dumped unceremoniously into the Anduin had not been her most heroic moment during the War of the Last Alliance. She chose not to share.
"I am prepared to depart at thy convenience, Meneldor," she said.
Taking her quite literally, the great Eagle leapt up and flapped to rise a bit, then seized Helluin in his talons and beat his wings furiously to gain altitude. He managed to clear the balustrade and used the downslope beyond to glide and increase his velocity 'til he could manage an ascending flight path. Then with great strokes of his wings, he gained both altitude and speed, and finally swept back o'er Imladris. In moments the east porch, where Elrond still stood watching, had fallen far below. The pair turned west, leaving the Hidden Valley behind.
As they passed o'er the eastern end of the Great East Road, Helluin searched the woods and the Trollshaws. There amongst the trees, she caught glimpses of the blocking force from Angmar. A sizeable camp they had set in the narrow land 'twixt Bruinen and the road. To the south stretched The Angle. The Noldo wondered if 'twas still patrolled by Rangers of Rhudaur, and how her friends there had fared since she had last visited in the time of The Plague. Had history continued to pass the ancient town of Celenhár by? Did a King of Eriador still reign in the town hall, and did a Lady of the First House still dwell there?
Meneldor flew o'er the East Road, and Helluin was able to survey it with ease. 'Twas deserted, not a thing moved east or west. The folk of Eriador were hunkered down in their homes, or in such strong places as they could find, there to wait out the war or meet their doom. They passed o'er the Last Bridge and into the borderlands 'twixt northern Cardolan and western Rhudaur. Still the road was untraveled. Finally, they came to Amon Sûl, and beyond, the Weather Hills. There at last Helluin saw people. Soldiers of Arthedain still manned the forts along the Weather Hills, and the garrison was still active at Amon Sûl.
Tracing the road west brought them past the Midgewater Marshes to the Bree-land. They circled the hill once and saw that, within the dike and hedge, Men and Perianin went about their business, preserving a sense of normalcy that was probably both forced and shallow 'neath the threat of the Witch King. The gates on the road, both east and west, were closed fast though 'twas broad daylight.
East of the hedge, the village of Staddle seemed subdued and few were afoot. The same held true of Archet to the north, within its clearing in Chetwood forest. Helluin suspected that many in both outlying towns had gone to Bree seeking the greater security within the dike and hedge, a delusion at best in her opinion, for neither would hold the Host of Angmar at bay for long.
They turned north towards Fornost at the crossroads, and they saw that the garrison there was still manned. Soldiers of Arthedain stood watch on the low wall in greater numbers than usual. On the North Road, they marked parties of scouts on horseback ranging a few leagues north. In the woods 'twixt the garrison and the village of Archet stood a camp of refugees. 'Twas a pitiful tent city raised 'neath the eaves of the Chetwood, and housing those driven south as the Witch King's host had marched to besiege the North Fortress. If they thought for a moment that the few hundred soldiers stationed at the garrison could safeguard them, they were mistaken. Both Helluin and Meneldor could see that they would be swept away in an hour.
Now the North Road ran ninety miles from the crossroad to the gates of Fornost, and Meneldor covered that distance in the third part of an hour. Even from a league away, they could see the craters from catapult shot, the furrows and turned earth were thousands of Men and Yrch and horses had camped and marshaled. There too were the pits dug by the Tor for shelter from daylight. They saw pock marking from slung shot on the southern wall, and the wall walk there was fire blackened. Most telling was that the gates were missing. Fornost stood open, with a few thousand Yrch gathered 'round the threshold.
Those Yrch began to flee into the fortress, screeching, and frantically pointing at the Eagle's approach. Tindomul would certainly know of their presence straightaway. Still, 'twas 'naught that he could do to stay them, just as they had no way to strike at him. Instead, they glided o'er the walls, taking the measure of the damage and the progress of the occupation. Helluin saw Men and Yrch roaming the city, a few fires in the streets, but as yet, no buildings seemed to have been toppled, and the king's citadel and tower still stood untouched, at least so far as she could tell.
The best signs that the Noldo saw were literally what she didn't see. 'Naught had been razed. Though the gate had been stripped from its hinges, the walls stood intact. Except for the scorched south wall walk, all appeared normal on the battlements. West, north, and east, even the catapults were still in place and undamaged. Fornost was still a viable fortress if it could be retaken. Helluin had expected to see burnt and toppled masonry, and the bodies of defenders, tortured to their deaths, and hung from crumbling battlements. Instead, she deemed their survey greatly encouraging, for she had seen not a single dead defender. Either the fallen Dúnedain had been so scarce as to be undetectable during her flyo'er, or they had been few because the king had withdrawn his people ere the city's fall. She fervently hoped 'twas so.
By now, the evening of 8 Gwaeron was drawing 'nigh. Helluin's morning had begun with the descent from the High Pass into Imladris. It had been a long day, yet soon enough, dark would fall and visibility, even airborne, would diminish so that her survey would be curtailed. 'Twas 'naught to be done for it save to find someplace to rest through the night, and Helluin still had to help the Eagle hunt for his dinner. Desirable would be a place at elevation, the higher the better, which had a sharp drop for Meneldor to launch into the air from. There was really only one choice in the north, and that was the downs. The northern faces were steep, and though not particularly lofty, no better choice presented itself, save perhaps the king's tower in Fornost.
Much to Helluin's irritation, the Eagle circled the fortress again, then rose to a great height where he could survey a wider panorama. 'Round and 'round he flew as darkness fell, and the Noldo became convinced that he was doing 'naught but killing time. Despite her increasingly vigorous 'suggestion' that he fly east towards the North Downs, Meneldor just gave that cackle, (which passed for a chuckle), and continued to spiral 'round the city. Finally, after what had seemed a lifetime, but was likely only the half-part of an hour, they saw the Hillmen stationed upon the walls head down the stairs, to meet those relieving them on watch. Once their backs were turned as they gave their attention to their descent, Meneldor swept in on silent wings, and with nary a rush of air, landed atop Arvedui's tower, well 'nigh dead center of Fornost. He released Helluin from his talons just in time to land on his own two feet. Helluin could only groan with exasperation as she stood for the first time in hours and tried to recover her 'land legs'.
Ere she could question the Eagle's wisdom in choosing his night's roost in the center of a city occupied by their enemies, Meneldor said, "I shall have two Yrch if they are skinny, or perhaps a robust Hillman. I pray thee make haste, for I am famished."
Helluin was well 'nigh seething as she stomped off 'cross the observation deck atop the tower and made for the head of a staircase leading within. With much muttering and grumbling, she descended into the tower, walking many empty hallways and passing many empty rooms. The council chamber of the general staff lay deserted two floors 'neath the roof. A number of offices for the commanders and their adjutants were unoccupied. Helluin reckoned that she had come halfway down the tower ere she heard 'aught suggesting the presence of another living thing.
The level of the tower Helluin found herself in encompassed the royal apartments, but the royal family had fled ere Fornost fell. The chambers and living spaces seemed untouched, as if their occupants had simply left on holiday and would return at any moment, yet from one bedchamber, she marked a whimpering and sniffling as of one immersed in deep sorrow. She cast a careful glance into the room, and there upon the bed lay a puppy of undetermined pedigree with long, drooping ears, legs and belly of white, and sides and back of brown grading to black. So morose was the animal that it marked Helluin's presence not at all. Having endured her own o'erwhelming loss but a short while ago, (as the Elves reckon time), she felt great sympathy for its plight and came to sit beside it on the edge of the bed.
Now the puppy noticed the shift of the mattress, and lifted tear swollen eyes to regard her, and after much sniffing, crawled 'nigh and accepted comforting strokes of her hand upon its head and neck. Then the Noldo bent her thought upon the puppy whilst looking deeply into its eyes.
Whence came thee, and whyfor art thou so? She asked.
I am abandonated, the pitiful creature replied with hitching thought, for my mistress has deserturated me. I tried so hard to be goodly, yet still I am lefted behind.
Now Helluin understood that the puppy had well 'nigh certainly belonged to Princess Artanis, for 'twas not the royal bedchamber and ruttery of King Arvedui and Queen Fíriel in which they sat.
Thou hast been alone here since she left? Helluin asked, just to be sure. Fornost had fallen on 29 Nínui and 'twas now 8 Gwirith, o'er five weeks later.
Here I have been alonely for thirty-nine sunrisings, and here, alas, I shall soon expiritate, weakly with hunger now that all the food is gone. Yet I shall go recallinating good times conversating, and her scent from these sheets that shall be my death shroud.
Helluin deemed the puppy a bit histrionic and its verbs peculiar, but its plight was real enough.
I have an errand to do for a friend, but if thou can wait, I shall return and deliver thee from thy sorrow, or at least bring thee a meal.
The puppy set its head down upon its forepaws and said, I have no place to go and 'naught else to do. I shall be here if thou returnitate.
'Twas obvious that it expected to be abandoned yet again, and Helluin understood that its hope had withered o'er its long days alone. For a dog or a puppy, abandonment by a beloved mistress or master was a crushing loss. Helluin vowed to herself that she would return.
Now after leaving the royal apartments, she made her way down to the street, and with stealth explored the alleys and buildings adjacent to the tower. Close by, the citadel too lay empty and untouched. Whilst passing through a mess hall of the guard there, she snatched some links of sausage for the puppy's supper and stuffed them into her travel bag.
A most inexplicable thing became apparent to Helluin. In the five weeks following his breaking of Fornost, Tindomul had yet to examine the citadel and the tower. Not for the life of her could she understand why this should be. They sat untouched amidst the sprawling royal gardens where sweet scents spread upon the night air from a thousand blossoms. Had she taken a fortress, defeated its defenders, and sent its occupants to flight, the seat of power would have been her first goal. 'Aught of value regarding strategy or politics would be found there, along with evidence of alliances, espionage, and court machinations. For whate'er reason, she was forced out into the common precincts of the city ere she came upon any of the occupying force.
Now whilst the Eagle had chosen either Yrch or Hillmen from the 'menu', Helluin was predisposed to capture a Man, for she knew both of her weapons were sick of Yrch. For that reason, hidden by the Laiquendi stealth she had learnt of Beinvír, she bypassed two companies of Yrch who bickered and grumbled as they made their way down a city street. When she finally came upon a party of three Hillmen, she was very pleased. They were lounging in the common room of a tavern they had broken in to, and were deep in their cups, having liberally sampled the house ale. She realized that she had but to wait a bit ere taking the most robust of the three to cater the Eagle's board.
'Twas soon enough that the first of the three excused himself with a rolling belch and made his way to the door, intent on relieving himself outside at the curb. Helluin skull-capped him from behind with a swift blow of her dagger pommel and he fell like a sack of grain. She dragged him out of sight. Because of the inebriation of the remaining two, she was able to invade the establishment with ease. The Hillmen felt themselves completely safe within the occupied city and had abandoned the vigilance of warriors. Helluin had simply to approach the lesser of the two and slam his head on the tabletop as her intended larder stooped to refill his tankard. As her victim fell to the floor, his comrade made light of his inability to hold his drink, and turned to find a swordpoint held at his throat. He dropped his tankard with a surprisingly girlish shriek.
In fact, the drunken Hillman might be excused for his reaction to Helluin's sudden appearance and the fell aura she projected. Draped in the tattered black cloak she had worn during her campaign against the Yrch in the Hithaeglir, and encased in her ancient and foreign black armor, he made the same mistake that many had aforetime, deeming himself faced with another Nazgûl. 'Neath the shadow of her hood, he could see 'naught of her face save the twin points of blue fire that demarcated her eyes. 'Twas when he glanced thither that his consciousness was captured, and he was held thrall by her will.
Do 'aught I command and I shall not put thee to the sword, she said, directly to his mind.
Though he had seen but one wraith aforetime, all knew they numbered nine, and from old lore, 'twas rumored that one had been a lesser princess of Númenor. The voice in his head was definitely female, and so he accepted without question that before him stood a Ringwraith. He could but nod his acceptance of her demand.
Fill then a bucket with clean water and follow me. Make no sound lest I deprive thee of thy tongue.
Again he nodded and went behind the bar to do her will. A bucket he found there, and this he rinsed and filled with clean water. He looked back to her then, and she gestured him hence with her sword, a sword of black steel, long and fell, such as the Witch King bore.
I would taste of his blood should he spill a drop, Anguirél offered, to the Man's utter horror.
Had he any further need of convincing that 'twas indeed a Wraith of Sauron who now commanded his service, he had it now. This Nazgûl wielded a bloodthirsty mórgúl blade with a voice of its own. He shivered and made haste towards the door.
Now the Hillman preserved his life by doing 'aught that Helluin commanded of him, and they made their way back into the tower, a thing that Tindomul had forbade to all the host aforetime. They climbed the stairs to the royal apartments, and in the bedchamber of Princess Artanis, Helluin gathered the puppy and set him in a pair of pillowcases she put one inside another so that the scent of the puppy's mistress would calm him. With only his head exposed, she carried him up to the roof, the Hillman preceding them, carrying his bucket of water with infinite care.
Once they had gained the observation deck, Helluin bid the Man set aside the bucket at the head of the stairs, and there she offered the puppy the sausages and howe'er much water he would drink. With 'nigh feral gusto, the pup consumed all that Helluin set before him, and lapped up water to wash it down. Then, with a stern word, she bid him remain at the stairhead as she marched the Hillman hence to his doom. The puppy curled up on the pillowcases, belly comfortably full for the first time in weeks, and fell into a light doze.
Helluin ushered the Hillman 'round the side of the small shelter that protected the head of the stairwell, and there they were met by Meneldor, who pinioned the Man 'neath one foot ere his shock could graduate to terror, and cleanly bit off his head. If the puppy had eaten with gusto, the Eagle ate with gleeful savagery, tearing the body limb from limb. In moments, the Hillman was gone, swallowed in six massive gulps. Helluin went to fetch the puppy and the bucket of water.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh…a beverage and dessert. Thoughtful art thou, Helluin," Meneldor said.
"A beverage aye, but this puppy I return to his noble mistress," she said, whilst the puppy dozed in her arms, oblivious to his jeopardy.
"Oh very well, no dessert then," said the Eagle, "'tis a city of barbarians and the fare is fittingly barbaric. Perhaps Lindon shall prove more genteel."
Helluin could not but roll her eyes at that. Meneldor's dismemberment of the struggling Hillman, and his practiced flipping of each morsel skywards, to be expertly caught and swallowed whole, was as barbaric a regime of table manners as any the Noldo had e'er seen.
They left Fornost as the sky brightened ere dawn, leaving behind two Hillmen astonished at their hango'ers, and a whitish streak down the side of the tower. 'Twas 9 Gwirith.
Faintly, lesser birds called from the trees of the forest that lay a mile west. For the first time, Helluin rode on the Eagle's back, rather than clasped in his talons. She deemed it a far more dignified mode of conveyance, and expected not to be dropped from a random height in preparation for the Eagle's next landing. The puppy, who had declared his name to be Cooper, (for no reason any of them could divine), was held in her arms with 'naught but his head sticking out of the pillowcases. He shivered and whimpered, petrified with fear as the ground passed far below.
Helluin had directed Meneldor to first fly west to the River Lhûn, and then south o'er the western bank to Mithlond. She had asked that he fly slowly so that she could take the measure of those lands and espy any who traveled them. Her hope was to find none. Alas, within the first league they marked a column of Yrch and Easterling cavalry marching towards Fornost down a forest road. Though Helluin and Meneldor knew it not, these were the remaining soldiers who had been sent to embattle the king. The troops had taken a leisurely fortnight and five days to return, hunting beasts and birds and quarreling with fatal consequences the whole way.
Airborne, the trio traveled far faster than even the swiftest horse. In an hour, they had come to the Emyn Uial. Amidst those twisting valleys and forested heights, there was no way to trace paths or roads. Neither campsites, nor settlements did they see. If the people of Fornost had passed through those hills, 'twas futile to try tracking them from the air. Helluin settled for finding no evidence of battle.
Beyond the Emyn Uial, they crisscrossed o'er flatter land with fewer trees and some open spaces that had once been farmed. Though she had marked what might have been the much weathered tracks of a host passing 'twixt the Hills of Evendim and the River Lhûn, there was no way to know the count of those who had marched thither, or how long aforetime they had passed. Indeed, there was no way even to know for certain in which direction they had traveled. Still, having no better choices, she bid Meneldor follow the tracks. Hopeful did she feel when they discerned that the trail led to the old north ford. More hopeful still was she when they found the tracks continuing upon the further bank. Whosoe'er had passed that way had crossed the river, made a campsite shortly after, and then continued south.
Now Helluin bid Meneldor descend so that she could follow the trail with less chance of missing any signs along the way. A few campsites she marked, but 'naught more. There were no signs of battle or pursuit. The host had continued south unhindered. A score of miles passed 'neath Meneldor's wings and Helluin became convinced of one thing. The tracks appeared less weathered now than when she had first marked them coming out of the Emyn Uial. The trail grew newer, and so confirmed her suspicion that the host had passed from east to west and now went south. She felt certain that 'twas refugees from Fornost.
Another three score miles came and went, and now the river broadened as the last major tributary joined its waters to the growing Lhûn. Upon the east bank, the tributary's mouth was bracketed by stone foundations, upon which stood much-weathered colossi depicting two kings. The symbolism in their company was plain to any who knew their lore. Upon the right stood Elendil, easily recognizable to Helluin from her memory of the living Man. Upon the left stood a figure bearing a vague resemblance to Elros Tar-Minyatur. The Noldo had met him in his youth, but had ne'er seen him as an adult, or as a mortal Man. 'Twas also doubtful that the artisans who had carved his face had more to work from than a painted portrait. About their feet stood some crumbling walls and the remnants of a landing, and a bit further inland, the remains of a town.
Helluin knew that tributary remained navigable for a score of miles as it ran down from central Emyn Uial to the northeast. Above that point, it became narrow and wild, with sections of rapids arising from a deepening canyon fed by a waterfall. Yet also from that point ran a great work of the exiled Númenóreans, the Fennas Annún, Gateway of Sunset, a grand canal that ran for four score miles 'cross the flatlands and into the Evendim Hills. There, by passing many cunning locks and a final tunnel, a ship might ascend the hills to the level of Lake Nenuial, and thereafter, following the lakeshore for fifteen leagues, come even to the kings' city of Annúminas. Thus had the Kings of Arnor traveled down to Mithlond by water, perhaps aboard one the same cutters that Helluin had seen docked at the Havens when she had sailed to Tol Fuin.
Meneldor continued flying south along the west bank of the Lhûn, following the trail Helluin saw, and it led on straight. After one hundred and ten miles, they came to the northern precincts of Mithlond, and there spread 'neath them 'nigh the coast was laid a great encampment, newly built and now home to thousands of refugees. Many of these stared upwards and pointed as they descended, circling the camp to take its measure. Then the Eagle flew east, gliding o'er the waters of the gulf, 'til they came to the eastern Havens. There, Helluin bid Meneldor land in the high courtyard o'erlooking the quays and the berths of many ships. The homes of the lords of the Sindar and the few Noldor who still abode in Lindon were located there, and there too was the court of Círdan, Lord of the Havens.
'Twas not long ere a crowd gathered 'round the Eagle, for such had not been seen in Lindon in an Age. Foremost amongst the throng stood the Ship Wright himself, and he did a well-suppressed double take when he marked Helluin atop the Eagle's back. Then he bowed to the Meneldor and offered the welcome of the Havens.
Rather than opening with a demand for victuals as he had done with Elrond in Imladris, Meneldor sketched a courtly bow with a dip of his head and a roll of his left shoulder, which had the effect of shedding Helluin from his back, much to her annoyance. She barely managed to retain her footing after her drop to the ground.
Then he straightened and said, "Lord Ship Wright, it hath been long since last we met upon the shores of the Falas in the old country. I have heard that thy fair realm is besieged of late?"
"Indeed 'tis just so, Lord Meneldor," Círdan replied gravely, but with obvious familiarity, "and alas, thou find us in troubled times. Still, 'tis good to meet thee again, old friend."
The ancient Sinda had returned the Eagle's bow, and now made a series of hand signs. Two members of his household took their leave, hastening into an adjacent building.
"Thou hast brought company," Círdan said, nodding towards Helluin, who stood holding a puppy in a sack and feeling ridiculous. Despite the expression of irritation on her face, she managed to acknowledge her old friend with a gracious bow.
"Indeed so," Meneldor said, suppressing a cackle, "a famed Mórgolodh who has been most curious about the landscape, but has proved an able hunter. We have been of late in Imladris and Fornost, the former proving peculiar, the latter barbarous."
The Ship Wright cocked his head in question to Meneldor, prompting him to reveal 'aught of the details. To answer those questions, the Eagle deferred to Helluin with a glance and a muttered, "ask of her."
Círdan then turned to Helluin, raising his brows to bid her speak. Ere answering, she shifted the puppy to a more comfortable position on her hip.
"My lord Círdan, in Imladris, Lord Elrond now possesses an invention, and by the employment of many dead cats, he hath contrived a great beacon of light, thereby to summon such as he," she said, waving a hand at the Eagle. "In Fornost, the Witch King has filled the city with his Yrch and evil Men, and there I found a puppy, abandonated by his mistress, Princess Artanis of Arthedain. Pray tell, hast thou any tidings of the Dúnedain, for they have fled the North Fortress of the Kings." All this, Helluin said with a straight face and the Eagle nodded in agreement.
By some whimsy of Middle Earth, or perhaps a hitch in The Song, at that moment, a young female voice shrieked, "Cooooooper! Puppy!"
The princess ran pell-mell through the crowd, whilst the puppy began struggling frantically in the pillowcases from the moment he heard her voice. Helluin was only too willing to set him on the ground, where he flailed fruitlessly in his eagerness 'til he was fully tangled in the cloth. It fell to the princess to scoop him up and peel him out of the fabric, crushing him in a desperate hug as he slobbered all o'er her face. Helluin rolled her eyes at the display whilst the Eagle gave her a reproachful look as he watched a possible dessert get away.
"The royal family and most of the people of Fornost have taken refuge upon the western shores. Princess Artanis and Prince Artamir abide hither whilst I take counsel with Queen Fíriel and Prince Aranarth," Círdan said. At the look of question on Helluin's face, he added, "of King Arvedui, 'naught is known save that he remained to defend Fornost."
At this, Helluin groaned, for she reckoned the king long dead by now. The tracks they had followed south were old, and whilst in Fornost she had seen no evidence of any continued defense. The city was occupied and the lands beyond patrolled. These details she conveyed to the Sinda silently, eye to eye, for she sought not to dampen with her dark tidings the jubilant reunion 'twixt the princess and her puppy.
Helluin was spared further concern by the reappearance of the Círdan's two householders, who led a huge pig into the courtyard on a rope. This they brought before the Eagle who offered a dip of his head in acknowledgement.
"My lord, thy board is bountiful as e'er 'twas aforetime," Meneldor said to the Ship Wright. "Thou hast my thanks for thy hospitality."
Helluin braced herself for a display of culinary savagery, imagining the porker torn to shreds before their very eyes, but the Eagle leapt up into the air and hovered with vigorous wing flaps, just long enough to seize the squealing suid in his talons. As the throng squinted against the cloud of dust raised by the wind of his wings, he launched himself from the high courtyard, gliding down o'er the quays to gain velocity ere he ascended into the sky and winged his way south. 'Round the courtyard, the smiling Elves applauded the visitation and then slowly dispersed. Soon, 'twas only Helluin, Círdan, and Princess Artanis who remained.
"Pray join us, Helluin," Círdan said, "for I deem there may be more to tell and more to hear."
"Indeed so, my lord," Helluin said. "I shall be glad to take counsel with thee and the royal family." She had ne'er met Aranarth or Fíriel aforetime.
Shortly later in the Ship Wright's study, Helluin had been introduced to Prince Aranarth and Queen Fíriel, and they to her. At her friend's suggestion, she had doffed her ragged, black, hooded cloak to appear before them in her battle dress and armor, thereby reducing her resemblance to Sauron's Nazgûl. T'will needlessly discomfit them if they think thee Tindomul's sister, Círdan had intimated in silence, eye to eye. Helluin had groaned, but tossed her cloak onto a coat stand ere she accompanied him into the study.
The queen and the prince had recognized her immediately from lore, mostly the tales of her victory in Fornost in 1851. The memories of that time caused Helluin to grimace, but she held her peace and demurred from indulging in reminiscences of the war. Eventually, with cups of wine and baked goods that the Ship Wright called by the descriptive name of 'popo'ers', (and which Helluin found bizarre, for they were entirely empty despite having so much space available for fillings inside), the royals recounted the fall of Fornost and their flight hence to Lindon. Their tale confirmed much that Helluin had read in the signs left on the road. She told them of the investiture of Imladris so that they understood why no aid had come from the Hidden Valley. By the end of their council, all of them knew the tale of the invasion and the strategy of the Witch King. Unknown remained the fate of King Arvedui and the status of Gondor, for no aid had come from the South Kingdom, nor had any word been received from King Eärnil. Helluin wondered if the Eagle would indeed return, or if she would be forced to chance riding back to Imladris on a horse.
To Be Continued