In An Age Before – Part 182
In the town of Celenhár, following the awkward meal at which friends old and new had been introduced, Captain Úcúnon took counsel with Helluin, Mithrandir, Lord Níshír, and Lady Athelrian, for he had marked the stealth with which the Rangers of Rhudaur had surrounded his Men at their arrival. In any action save a massed battle, such skills would confer a great advantage. This he saw clearly, despite that mode of warfare being foreign to his experience. So at the end of the month of Cerveth, he put forth his request on behalf of his troops and for the benefit of his king, for 'aught that he could do to enhance the prowess of his Men, he deemed to be his duty.
"Lord Níshír, already do me and mine owe a great debt to thee and thy people for the succor and sanctuary we have received in Rhudaur. Yet still, though I know 'tis not my right to ask 'aught of thee, I pray thee train me and my soldiers in the ways of thy Rangers."
The request that Mithrandir had hoped to hear for o'er five and a half centuries had been voiced, not by a king or prince of Arthedain, but by the captain of garrisons fallen to the enemy. 'Twas probably as unlikely as Helluin and Beinvír teaching the ways of the Laiquendi to five, twice-defeated soldiers of Cardolan back in 1417. A smile graced the Maia's features.
"My friend," the Istar said, looking to Níshír, "I deem t'would be a boon to thy realm to do thus, for strong allies make good neighbors."
The King of Eriador nodded in agreement. If lore spoke true, the same wisdom had guided Lord Húngan, the first Regent of Cardolan, when he had sent a company of his Rangers to help train the Men of Rhudaur.
As if reading his thought, (which indeed he was), Mithrandir added, "to further the tutelage of the Rhudaurim, Lord Húngan sent his Rangers, his greatest allies, and even his own daughter."
Olórin met Helluin's eyes for a moment and silently said, I would be thankful if you would aid them.
As e'er, a request from one of the Ainur was as a command to the dark Noldo.
I can think of 'naught else that I would rather do, she muttered silently in response.
"Captain Úcúnon, the way of the Ranger was passed from Cardolan to my people for the mutual benefit of opposing the evil of Angmar. 'Tis now our duty to pass on those teachings to you and the realm of Arthedain. I shall assign instructors to train thy officers and those thou deem most able, and as aforetime, they shall instruct the rest. Pray make thy choices and then come to us when thy Men are ready."
"I too shall aid thee as I can," Helluin added.
Upon 1 Urui, T.A. 1974, the captain, his lieutenant, nine sergeants, and nine corporals stood before Helluin and three captains of the Rangers of Rhudaur. The twenty Dúnedain had gathered in the field outside the town, on the same land where Helluin and Beinvír had taught Galor, Leginbór, Cánégin, Rachdan, and the other first volunteers from Celenhár. As she was obviously the most senior instructor, Helluin spoke first to the novices.
"Captain Úcúnon, and ye loyal soldiers of Arthedain, I presume not to command you or your Men," Helluin told them, "but I have fought in Middle Earth for 'nigh on 6,000 years and few know better the arts of war. My lost beloved, Beinvír, was born of the Laiquendi, a folk of such stealth and woodscraft that they are unknown to most who have lived 'nigh them in Eriador through the past two Ages, for by their skill they remain unseen by friend and foe alike.
Ye seek now to fight a war of stealth rather than of massed ranks as the Dúnedain have favored since Ciryatur brought the might of Númenor to the aid of Gil-galad long ago. In this kind of fighting, none upon Middle Earth exceed the Green Elves. Of them came the ways of the Rangers, in Cardolan, here in Rhudaur, and long ago, in Lebennin that lies on the southern coast of Gondor. With such skills, ye shall preserve your people though the realm of Arthedain be fallen."
The gathered Dúnedain regarded her and harkened to her words. Most knew of her deeds in the war of 1851. Some knew more of the lore regarding her campaigns, and a few knew some of the scant lore regarding the Laiquendi. Still, they had all seen the appearance of the Rangers of Rhudaur upon their first arrival, and they had marked them not ere the parlay was decided. For now, they were soldiers without a home, and if for 'naught but to appease their longing for redress of their defeat, they would learn 'aught that they could.
"With thanks would I receive 'aught that thou would teach," Captain Úcúnon said, "and in turn instruct others 'neath my command in such skills as thou hast shared."
'Round him, his officers nodded in agreement. They would become the first Rangers of Arthedain.
"Then first I bid you put off or deaden to sight all bright metals, and pad any such as would contact another," Helluin told them, "so that neither a reflection, nor a sound may betray you.
Ye wear the uniforms of soldiers of Arthedain, but such are not suited to the style of warfare ye shall be taught, for a Ranger must move unmarked, blending into such as surrounds him, and confounding the eyes of his foes. Ye shall need not a uniform, for ye shall not fight in massed formations and need not know friend from foe by his colors. When ye have learnt the stealth of a Ranger, any ye see in battle shall be your foe, for your comrades ye shall not see. In raiment of mixed greens ye shall clothe yourselves.
Though Rangers bear swords and daggers, their primary weapon is the bow," Helluin said. "'Tis not a Ranger's choice to close with an enemy or match blades, for we are the hunters of our foes. To stalk and to slay, this ye shall do unmarked, leaving 'naught in your wake save the slain."
The Dúnedain looked to each other, really looked, marking now the badges of rank and the buttons upon their uniforms, the pommels, grips, and guards of their blades, the metal of their grieves and bracers, and such fittings upon the other pieces of armor they wore. Whether those shone bright or subdued, all were clearly visible. Then, they looked to the three Rangers who stood silent and still beside the Noldo. They bore no badges, buttons, or any sign of rank or company. Their figures were shrouded, and whatsoe'er armor they wore was obscured 'neath their hooded cloaks. The hilts and guards of their weapons were dull black and well separated upon their belts. And each bore o'er their shoulder, a recurved bow and a quiver of arrows, and like all else visible, these were colored a mix of greens akin to the hues of foliage.
Helluin introduced the three instructors, two male and one female, middle-aged Rhudaurim all.
"Here I present your instructors, Túrandir¹, Cúran², and Remmirath³. They have each trained in the way of the Ranger since childhood and have risen to their current rank by virtue of their mastery, valor, and fealty. I bid ye hearken to them and learn all they can teach." ¹(Túrandir, Master Wanderertúr(mastery, victory) ranni-(v. wander) -dir(masc agent suff) Sindarin) ²(Cúran, Crescent Moon Sindarin) ³(Remmirath, Netted Stars, lit. Host of Netted Jewels, ref. to the constellation now called the Pleiades Sindarin)
The three instructors bowed to their students and the Dúnedain returned their bows. Though finding a woman as a military commander was unusual, 'twas not without precedent. Indeed, the soldiers of Arthedain would come to find that amongst the Rangers of Rhudaur were many women serving now in all capacities, just as there had been in Cardolan aforetime, and as there had e'er been in Lebennin. Had they sought any proof for the validity of that, 'twas that all of those Rangers had first been taught by Helluin and Beinvír.
The training of the Dúnedain began with the testing of such skills as they already possessed. All were proficient with their bladed weapons, and a few were passable at archery. In the arts of camouflage and stealth, they were lacking. Likewise, most were but mediocre at woodscraft. A further difficulty arose, the clothing of four hundred and fifty soldiers as Rangers. 'Twas not enough cloth in Celenhár to sew the garb for so many.
At the end of the afternoon's training, Captain Úcúnon ordered the collection of all spare uniforms, cloaks, gauntlets, and surcoats. These were taken to the town's Guild of Tailors and Seamstresses where they were disassembled and re-dyed with a wide variety of green hues. Afterwards, the fronts, sleeves, backs, hoods, collars, and 'aught else rendered from the garments were cut into many pieces and re-sewn with parts of other hues so as to render them more capable of blending into foliage. Finally, the garments themselves were reassembled, and these were distributed to the first group of trainees. This labor continued through Urui and Ivanneth, 'til all four hundred and fifty Rangers in training were properly clothed, and now, unlike the homogeneity of the soldiers' prior uniforms, no two trainees appeared exactly the same.
Another difficulty presented itself in equipping the Dúnedain as Rangers. Despite the esteem accorded to bowmen in Númenor and the exiled realms in Middle Earth, amongst the army of Arthedain, but one in five of the king's soldiers bore a bow. Thus, amongst the garrisons of Amon Sûl and the Weather Hills, there had been but ninety archers. In addition, the seven foot Númenórean war bows were unsuitable to Ranger warfare. Arming the trainees required the fabrication of four hundred fifty bows and quivers, and 'nigh eleven thousand arrows. 'Twas a huge undertaking, far beyond the capacity of the local bowyers, fletchers, and leather workers. The only answer was to embark on a series of lessons that were usually taught later in the regime of training.
On 6 Urui, Helluin led the twenty trainees from Celenhár, and she bore a borrowed Ranger bow. Their destination was the East Road whither they came in the afternoon of the 7th. With them went their three instructors, each bearing a woodsman's axe. Cúran stayed the company twenty-five yards back from the road.
"Hereafter ye shall conduct yourselves with whatsoe'er stealth ye can contrive," he said. "We know ye are not yet trained to it, and so we hope to mark your current abilities. Advance as if ye were scouting the position of foes."
The Dúnedain nodded and Captain Úcúnon deployed his Men in a broken line fifty yards long. Thereafter they warily advanced north towards the road, crouching behind trees, shrubs, and boulders, crawling if necessary, and painfully wary of disturbing 'aught that might reveal their positions. Finally, after the quarter part of an hour, they had all covered the final twenty-five yards and stared out from the last vegetation at the verge of the road. This they saw was deserted.
In the moments ere they resolved to rise and break cover, next to each Man an arrow embedded its point in the earth, close enough to demonstrate that such could have as easily been a killing shot. Then from the trees close behind, Helluin and the three Rangers of Rhudaur dropped from positions in the branches, and they walked amongst the chagrined soldiers, plucking their arrows and replacing them in their quivers.
Finally, Remmirath told them, "wholly fixed upon the road, none of ye marked 'aught else standing 'nigh. The enemy may assail ye from any quarter, including from above, and from 'neath water or soil. We know that your experience tells you to mark 'aught upon the ground, but Rangers and Yrch too, will oft conceal themselves thus."
The lesson taken to heart, Helluin then detailed their mission.
"Ye seek a sugar maple, straight and of a height 'nigh twenty-five rangar. Dismiss any with a split or rotten trunk, or with a twisted or broken bole. From such a tree shall come many staves, and of those ye shall carve bows in the Ranger fashion."
Understanding now their purpose, the Dúnedain broke into small parties of two or three and sought in the hilly woods north of the road for a rock maple such as Helluin had described.
The search took 'nigh an hour, for some parties found none and some trees that were found were flawed, or would be too difficult to fell and dress. During that time, a team of six drawing a heavy wagon arrived from Celenhár, and with it, a bowyer and two sawyers. Finally, a tree was found and approved, both the tree itself and its location.
Shortly later, the thudding of axes filled the air as Túrandir and Cúran swung waist high at the downhill base of the trunk whilst Remmirath cut a notch opposite them on the uphill side. Chips flew as the Rangers enlarged the downhill notch 'til its depth was 'nigh half of the trunk's thickness. Remmirath had deepened the uphill notch somewhat, but had also extended it to breach both sides with shallow cuts. Eventually, what remained in the center of the trunk was a narrow, rectangular thickness of heartwood, 'nigh a hand's breadth, and three-quarters of the thickness of the trunk. This was the 'hinge', and with its folding, the tree would fall. Now the Rangers began to carefully listen as they watched the tree for any movement. Túrandir motioned all to stand away uphill, and then one careful stroke at a time he deepened the downhill notch.
The first clue to the maple's fall was not the shaking of leaves or 'aught of movement in the trunk or branches. Rather 'twas a soft ticking, first once, then again. Túrandir checked his next swing and stood away from the tree. The clicks increased in volume and rapidity as more and more fibers in the heartwood were torn asunder. The full length of the trunk magnified the sound so that the clicking became a loud thumping. Finally, with an unearthly creaking moan, the trunk began to incline, slowly at first, but with increasing momentum as it listed o'er, closing the downhill notch that the Rangers had chopped. At that point, the last fibers in the 'hinge' tore apart, and the bole broke free of the stump. The trunk toppled to the forest floor with a rush of wind from its branches and leaves. All clearly felt its impact through the ground.
As the tree settled into the bracken and undergrowth, the Dúnedain looked on as Helluin and the Rangers stood with bowed heads, silent, for they had heard its moaning cry of anguish.
Nienor vín an dantoch, the Noldo whispered, 'our sorrow for your fall'.
The long days of Cerveth allowed the sawyers to limb and buck the trunk, cutting it into a dozen 'cants' 'neath the bowyer's directions. These were each a Man's height in length and were rolled down to the wagon on the road by parties of four using cant hooks. Even the lower parts of the larger branches were taken, for the tree's sacrifice would not be wasted. 'Aught of sufficient mass to yield a bow stave was brought back to Celenhár.
After their return to town, the bowyer and his assistants showed the trainees how to split the wood with froes and mallets to make raw staves with straight grain and no knots. By rough tillering, carving away at the inner sides of the staves with drawknives, they reduced their mass to 'neath a knuckle's length in thickness. Thereafter, they tied the thinned staves to special beams with the heartwood facing up and blocks 'neath the ends to force a bend into the tips. Then the centers of the staves were tied down as well, forcing a downward curve at the center. By tillering and then seasoning the staves for a month in the heat of the bowyer's shop, they set the recurved shape into the wood ere the final carving began. Even though their practiced labors were quick for each stave, they had so many to shape that by the time the last were done, the first were dry.
'Twas during that time that the survivors of the assault on the crossroads finally found their way to The Angle. On 12 Urui, after a flight of twenty-seven days, they were espied by Rangers whilst making their way down the Great East Road two score miles past The Last Bridge. With forewarning from Helluin and Captain Úcúnon, the Rangers knew who they were and whence this desperate company had come. When they appeared from the southern verge of the road, they were greeted with thanksgiving and pleas for sanctuary. The Rangers pitied them and led them south through The Angle, and on 15 Urui they came at last to Celenhár. There they saw the camp of the soldiers from Amon Sûl and the Weather Hills and were welcomed by the Rhudaurim. Finally, for the first time in weeks, they could rest in safety, and many of the refugees shed tears of relief and thanks for the deliverance from their plight.
Now the training of the novice Rangers continued during that time with lessons in stealth, tracking, and survival. The tell tale disturbances of the ground and surrounding plants they learnt to read to reveal the tale of the passage of animals, friends, or foes. The Dúnedain learnt to hide themselves using camouflage, to disguise the shapes of their bodies with light and shadow, and to remain unmoving for hours if necessary.
"For the eye is drawn to movement and recognizes the shape of a body without conscious thought. Make then your movements match that of your surroundings, breeze amidst leaf and grass, the slow shifting of shadows with the sun, and the changes in sunlight and moonlight from the passing of clouds," said Cúran.
Many trips the Men made into the woods, seeking straight branches of spruce, birch, and pine. From these they were taught to carve the straight shafts for arrows. 'Neath the tutelage of the Rangers and the fletchers of the town, they sought for feathers, formulated glues, and finally, learnt to make arrowheads of forged steel, sharpened bone, and even flaked flint.
In the last week of Urui, the Lady Athelrian came amongst them, and with Helluin and the Rangers, taught the Dúnedain the herb lore of The Angle. Plants they came to know, their leaves, their flowers, the locations and manners of their growth, and how to apply them to cooking and curing. Slowly, the forests, streams, and meadows became familiar and welcoming, its inhabitants like kith whose lore the Rangers knew.
"All that grows has its virtue and many are a boon to Men. With knowledge, the world shall be your pharmacy, your market, and your arsenal. Arda offers its wealth to those who know how to look and what to look for," the Lady told them.
With the first days of Ivanneth, Captain Úcúnon detailed his soldiers to aid the people of The Angle with the harvest. Though few of the Dúnedain knew much of farming, they learnt all the farmers would teach, and in those days, many friendships grew up 'twixt the Men of Arthedain and the Men of Rhudaur. The farmers of The Angle were thankful for the help since their work was hard, but with more hands to labor, the time passed smoothly and with less stress if a day was lost to rain. By the third week of the month, most of the harvest was in, and the first bow staves were seasoned enough for further tillering.
'Neath the tutelage of the town's bowyers, Helluin, and the three Ranger instructors, the twenty trainees carefully carved the profiles for their bows, shaping the centers of their staves into comfortable grips and sturdy risers. Slowly, with many a test of tension, the limbs were thinned and their bending was equalized. The goal was a draw weight of fifty-five pounds and a total length of five feet. Each Man set his own draw length. Finally, after a week of nerve-wracking care, reverse-twisted linen bowstrings rubbed with beeswax were strung and the new weapons tested. When the Dúnedain began to strike their targets using bows they had made with their own hands whilst firing arrows they had constructed from raw branches, all felt a swelling of pride. In seven weeks they had learnt an esoteric skill that had aforetime been the province of esteemed specialist artisans in Fornost.
Those soldiers who had aforetime been archers found the Ranger bows a mixture of strange and familiar. The skill of shooting was much the same as what they had practiced with the steel Númenórean war bows, but the weapon itself was of a different shape and almost two feet shorter. The power was noticeably less as well, fifty-five pounds draw weight compared to the hundred pounds to which they were accustomed, and the arrows were slimmer and lighter to match. Yet they understood how the Ranger weapon suited the needs and manner of warfare for which it had been created. Rangers seldom fired from battlements, whilst standing in an elevated position on a wall. Rather, they would needs carry their weapon through forest, underbrush, snow, whilst fording rivers, climbing cliffs or trees, and then fire it whilst concealed, oft times kneeling or even prone. A bow with a fifty-five pound draw would bring down a deer or a lightly armored Man. And though the Ranger arrows might not easily pierce plate armor, they would be aimed singly rather than in volleys, usually from closer range and with greater precision, the preferred targets being eyes, throat, or heart. 'Twas a hunter's weapon and they were now the hunters of their foes.
For many sessions thereafter, the twenty trainees stood on the firing line of the archery range that was set up on the verge of the town. There they practiced for many hours each day, for they and their comrades would live or die by their bowcraft. One hundred yards from the firing line stood bales of hay backing coiled targets woven of rushes a half ranga in diameter, that being the size of the targetable area of a Man's chest.
"Five arrows ye shall fire, and the closer to the center of the targets ye can strike, the less likely ye shall be to receive hostile fire in return. When ye can strike at this distance within the centermost circle of a hand's breadth, ye shall be able to strike the heart of your foe with confidence," Cúran told them.
"Whilst we are present, a call of 'Stay!' means that all shooting ceases, and after a count of ten, all archers are to approach the targets to retrieve their arrows. When ye practice unsupervised, care and an agreement 'twixt those present shall suffice," Remmirath said.
"The instructors shall demonstrate," Helluin said.
The three Rangers came to the firing line, and with fluid motions and uncanny accuracy, they knocked arrows, drew, aimed, and loosed. Five arrows struck the centers of each of their targets, all close grouped within the center circle in a space no larger than the palm of a hand.
"Stay!" Helluin called out.
The Rangers lowered their bows, and after a count of ten, walked to the targets and retrieved their arrows. When they had returned to the firing line, Helluin took a place on the far left.
"One day ye shall shoot with such accuracy whilst handling your bows with your left or right hand. The motion is the same, and for this, ye have carved the grips of your bows with an arrow rest upon either side."
Those Dúnedain who had been archers in their king's service had wondered at that, but had simply assumed 'twas so that any bow might be used by any archer whether naturally right or left-handed. None of them had e'er attempted to train aforetime using their weak hand.
Now Helluin began as would a right-handed archer, with her bow held in her left hand, left foot on the line, right foot a pace back, and with her right hand, she took an arrow from her quiver and knocked it upon the string. Then, with fluid grace, she drew, fired, and stepped out wide to her right with her right foot, planting it on the firing line. She continued in a clockwise motion, turning her back to the target, pivoting on her right foot whilst transferring the bow to her right hand. As she turned back towards the targets, her left hand reached to her quiver and drew a second arrow. This she knocked as she planted her left foot down behind her right foot, and now in a left-handed firing stance, drew and loosed her second arrow. As soon as the arrow took flight she was in motion again, stepping back and to her right with her left foot, pivoting counter-clockwise, transferring the bow to her left hand, knocking a third arrow, coming into a right-handed stance, drawing, and sending the arrow to flight. She continued thus down the firing line, alternately firing right and left handed 'til twenty arrows had been loosed, one for each target. Finally, she lowered her bow.
"Such a motion is the most efficient way of changing sides when under fire yourself, for such constant movement makes for a more difficult target. T'will be enough for now if ye can fire with accuracy from either side, lest ye need to fire 'round cover with your weaker hand," she said ere she trudged off towards the targets to retrieve her arrows.
Thither, one hundred yards distant, twenty arrows had been sent to the centers of twenty targets with no pause to sight, adjust her stance, or amend her grip. Six thousand years at war had conferred flawless technique and deadly accuracy, and though some of that grew from Helluin's birth amongst the Elder Children of the One, her ability was rare even amongst the Noldor. Had she stood upon a field of battle, twenty foes would have lain dead, each bearing an arrow in their left eye.
Ivanneth ended and Narbeleth opened as the Dúnedain practiced on the range and continued in their training of stealth and woodscraft. Indeed, because of the esteem historically accorded to archers amongst their people, they practiced at every opportunity. As their king and his four soldiers hunted marmots in the snow, the twenty officers and soldiers from Amon Sûl and the Weather Hills strove to attain skill at archery in the manner of the Rangers.
The training continued and the aspiring trainees learnt how to build shelters from what lay at hand. They were taught how to keep dry and to tend their raiment and 'aught else that made up their kit in all weathers. In groups of five, 'neath the supervision of Helluin and the three Ranger instructors, the twenty Dúnedain spent a fortnight in the Wild, surviving off the land as they undertook journeys to the furthest corners of The Angle. They were making the circuit that the Rangers patrolled, but off the roads that linked homestead, hamlet, and farm. In this way, they came to know the lands in which they had taken refuge, and with that knowledge, increased their comfort whilst afield, a thing they had ne'er enjoyed as city dwellers in Arthedain. Ere they truly realized it, they were equally at home in wood and field as they were in towns and cities.
When cold weather came in the month of Hithui, the Dúnedain were taught the skills of winter survival as ice formed on still water and then, as the first snows fell. Tracking foes and prey became easier, but hiding their own tracks was more difficult. Slowly they increased in hardihood, camping cold for days at a stretch in freezing weather. To their surprise, the aspiring Rangers found themselves reasonably comfortable in weathers that would have driven them indoors a year ago. The advantage of maintaining a campaign year 'round was obvious to them all. No longer would they be restrained from prosecuting their goals against an enemy in winter, and no longer would they be constrained to the campaigning season from late Gwaeron to early Narbeleth. With Fornost having been unexpectedly besieged in Nínui last, the capability to wage winter warfare was clear to them all.
Girithron followed Hithui, and winter deepened. Yestarë came with the month's end and the Dúnedain celebrated the turning of the year with their Rhudaurim hosts. As their king bid good riddance to 1974, the refugees and soldiers of Arthedain welcomed 1975 with hope.
That very night, a messenger came to Helluin, silently and unmarked by any mortal. She felt her approach and rose to search the darkness in which she had rested.
"Mae govannen, Mórgolodh," a soft voice said in a whisper from a few feet away.
"Mae govannen, rél in Laiquendi," the Noldo replied just as softly, "whyfor hast thou come?"
"I am Almiril¹, a scout," the voice said. "Driven by hunger, a company of three dozen Yrch has departed the blockade of Imladris. They approach through the neck south of the Road." ¹(Almiril, Sparkling Flamealmir(sparkling flame) -il(enhancement suff on n., feminine agent) Sindarin)
"I thank thee for thy tidings, Almiril," Helluin said, but already she felt the fëa of the Green Elf withdrawing.
Thereafter, Helluin sat in the last hours of darkness pondering whether to test the Dúnedain, bring experienced Rhudaur Rangers instead, or simply slip out and slay them all unaided. Three dozens were hardly a challenge, and of their demise 'twas no question. If they had forgotten, or chosen to ignore the legends and ancient rumors that told of the horror of these lands, she would remind them. Finally, as dawn broke, and knowing that the Yrch were known to the Green Elves, she decided to bring the trainees and their instructors. T'would be more than a sufficient force.
On the following morn, as the trainees and their instructors sat breaking their fasts, Helluin came to them and offered a mission, the Dúnedain's first employing the Ranger mode of warfare.
"Tidings have come to me in the night of a company of Yrch who have chosen to encroach upon these lands. They number three dozens and move west, to the south of the Road. I deem they must be destroyed ere they leave the neck of land 'twixt the road and Bruinen."
At her words, the instructors stood, taking their last bites of food, and they prepared to leave immediately to intercept the invading foes. 'Twas no question in their minds of the necessity for rapid action, for if the Yrch spread beyond the narrow, wooded 'eastern neck' where few lived, they would be far more dangerous and difficult to find.
To the Dúnedain, Helluin said, "if ye would test your new skills, accompany us thither, for whether with ye or without, the Yrch shall not survive this night."
Captain Úcúnon was the first to rise, and a moment later his Men joined him. This opportunity they would not miss.
From Celenhár 'twas fifty miles up the west bank of the Bruinen to where the neck opened into the northeast corner of The Angle. The company mounted and rode north in haste along a dirt road that ran close to the river. Though she had made sure to give him regular exercise, Helluin found that Barq was more than happy to run.
I rejoice to ride to battle at last, O Helluin, Barq said. I have longed for the clash of arms.
"I rejoice to meet the foe as well, yet alas, we shall not charge against these," she told him.
Oh? I know thou crave battle as do I. How then shalt thou meet thine enemies?
"We bring the Dúnedain who train to become Rangers. 'Tis with stealth and arrows that we shall slay these Yrch."
The Eastern horse snorted and flapped his lips in exasperation.
I too find myself disappointed with this plan, O Helluin, Anguirél interjected from within her scabbard, speaking for Barq as well. I crave blood, even the blood of more Yrch.
As do I, added the Sarchram. Whyfor should I not also fly along with thy arrows, O Helluin?
"Fear not, my most steadfast of allies, greater battles are soon to come," Helluin replied.
Sheeeesh, they gang up on me three against one, she thought to herself, how then to maintain our harmony?
Taking but a brief respite shortly after noon to rest the horses and consume some rations, the company covered the fifty miles ere sunset, and they made a cold camp 'nigh the river where there was ample water for their mounts. Helluin and Túrandir went afoot to scout for the Yrch whilst Cúran and Remmirath presided o'er the camp. The Noldo and the Ranger moved swiftly and silently through the open woods, their ears and eyes sharp as they sought for spoor. They hoped to mark 'naught and so determine that the Yrch were still marching through the 'neck'.
During the early hours of the night, Helluin and Túrandir made their way amongst the trees, but they saw and heard none for two leagues. 'Twas in their third hour scouting that they saw an orange and wavering glow in the distance that told of fire. More slowly now they advanced as that glow resolved into the flickering of flames. Softly 'cross the distance came the guttural voices of Yrch, bickering and complaining as that kindred were e'er wont to do. All too soon, they could smell the acrid scent of burning meat, though of what animal they could not yet tell. The last furlong, they well 'nigh crept amongst the boles, silent and e'er concealed in shadows.
They approached the Yrch camp from downwind in case there were sniffers amongst them, and they looked upon their enemies as they clustered 'round a small bonfire o'er which a spit turned. Impaled thither were the remains of a Man, and from the pile of clothing and gear strewn 'nigh, they deemed 'twas a Hillman, one of the Yrch's allies, upon whom they had been all too willing to turn. Little honor was there amongst the Witch King's servants, it seemed. 'Twas a stomach turning sight, yet the scouts maintained their silence and took the measure of their foes. Then they retreated as silently as they had come, and o'er the course of another hour and a half, returned to their own camp where they gathered their company and told of all they had seen.
Now Cúran and Remmirath simmered with a quiet wrath at the report whilst the Dúnedain gripped their sword hilts, eager to engage the Yrch, or indeed any servant of Angmar.
"Who shall remain to guard the pickets?" Túrandir asked of the company.
Not a single hand was raised, for none were willing to forsake the combat to become a warder of horses.
Helluin went to Barq and spoke softly to him, begging a favor that she knew would dissatisfy him.
"None of these warriors are willing to remain behind, and so I pray thee lead the other horses hence to safety should worst come to worst," she said.
I too am unwilling to remain behind, yet if this be the duty thou assigns to me, then I shall do my part in thy campaign, he said with obvious regret. Had he added a sigh and stamped his foot, t'would not have been unexpected.
"Thou hast my thanks, O Barq," Helluin said, "yet this battle is not of a kind for which thou art suited, creeping in silence 'twixt the trees. Together we shall charge into battle, my friend, and on that day, thou shalt find satisfaction."
I shall await that day with anticipation, O Helluin. I pray thee enjoy victory this night.
Helluin returned to the Men and told them, "picket not the horses, but leave them free to run if needs demand. Barq shall lead them hence."
The Dúnedain met her words with surprise, but the Rangers did as she bid, for by their acquaintance with the Green Elves, they had come to understand the ways of Elves with beasts.
Now in the fourth hour of the night, the Rangers and the Dúnedain made their way with Helluin into the 'neck'. In silence they advanced through the wood, e'er mindful of maintaining their stealth. As they drew 'nigh the place of the Yrch camp, all marked the flames and heard the bragging and disputes that passed for camaraderie amongst those creatures. They smelt the stench of scorched Man flesh. With hand signs, the Rangers deployed their trainees to encircle the camp, and slowly their leaguer tightened 'round their foes. Ahead of them in the darkness, Helluin slew the three who had been detailed to keep watch.
The trainees were painfully careful in their movements, for none wished to be the cause of a botched attack. Most felt nervous and uncertain on this their first time assailing an enemy as Rangers, but their training had been good and they had striven to digest all they had been taught. After the third part of an hour, the Yrch camp was surrounded, and in silence the Men slowly readied their bows and set arrows to the strings, making no moves so swift as to draw even a straying eye to a reflection or shifting shadow. The Yrch remained oblivious.
As they had been taught, each Man chose a target, that being the foe most visible, though not necessarily the closest. 'Twas more important that their shots be clean kills, and so most wound up aiming for the eyes of an Orch sitting 'cross the fire from them, well lit and in plain view. None marked the slow but steady advance of the dark Noldo into the camp, for she had reserved the captain of the Yrch for herself.
Now 'twas not the gift of Men to sense the fëar of their comrades, as do the Green Elves when setting an ambush. They had no way to be assured that all were in position and ready to fire. They could only do as they had been taught, for they could not see the progress of their fellow Rangers. Therefore after each had found a shooting position and knocked their arrows, they paused a prudent amount of time, ere they drew and prepared to fire. There again, a pause was given to assure that even the slowest amongst them had time to take aim and was ready to loose their arrows with deadly precision. In this, the Dúnedain were thankful to be holding back the tension on a fifty-five pound bow rather than a hundred pound steel war bow. Finally, all deemed their companions ready. Indeed, they had all been ready for a while, but one only amongst the Rangers could sense their preparedness directly.
'Twas seldom that any knew who had shot the first arrow, only that as soon as 'twas loosed, the rest immediately followed with no forewarning or time for reaction. Twenty-three targets were struck, seventeen to their death, whilst in the midst of the camp, a swift black sword swept out from a shadow and hewed off the captain's head. In the next moment, 'naught of the killer could be seen. After a moment's paralysis, the Yrch began a panicked response, some cursing, some drawing their swords, and others seeking a direction in which to flee. More arrows flew, seemingly at random, as each archer fired at will. Surprise was lost, but it had served well its purpose. In but a few moments all of the Yrch had been slain or struck out of the combat. The Rangers advanced into the camp and slew with their swords any still living. Then they collected their arrows, leaving no tokens of their presence save the dead.
As the Rangers doused the campfire lest it spread to the woods, Helluin sat the Orch captain's body in a pose of ease against one of the two uprights that had held the spit aloft, and in his lap she set his head. Whilst they piled the bodies of the slain Yrch in a heap so that no clues of the battle could be read after, the dark Noldo dragged hence the corpses of the three sentries and seated them 'round the camp as if on watch, and like their captain, they sat with their heads in their laps. 'Twas a reminder of old tales still recalled in whispers amongst the Yrch, and if the Rangers were disturbed by it, they said 'naught, for she had slain four whilst but a few of them had slain two rather than one.
"Surely ye have at least something to rejoice in this night," she whispered to her weapons as they walked back to where the horses waited.
A brief taste, yet I thank thee, O Helluin. The captain I found satisfying, Anguirél admitted.
I too thank thee for providing me two necks to hew, the Sarchram added. Still, I look forward to battle.
"Pray lord not thy jubilation o'er poor Barq who was left horse-sitting this night," she said.
Aye, not a word to the horse, the Black Sword agreed.
I too shall say 'naught, the Ring Blade declared with a conspiratorial chuckle.
To Be Continued
11